January 2025
Dorothy Hodgkin
November 14th to December 20th is Disability History Month, highlighting the barriers that those with disability face in chemistry. Britain’s only female chemistry Nobel laureate (1964), Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin, was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in her late 20s, leading to difficulty performing lab tasks. However, she created her own physical accommodation by using long levers rather than switches on the X-ray diffraction instrument. This aid allowed her to continue her ground-breaking experiments which eventually led to the discovery of the 3D structure of penicillin, vitamin B12, and insulin. After her discovery, she participated in the initial meetings that led to the formation of the International Union of Crystallography. Dorothy’s story of perseverance despite a painful diagnosis and her dedication to science is inspiring. To quote her, Dorothy “was captured for life by chemistry and crystals”.
To read more about the laureate as well as the full article about Disability History Month, check out the link below: https://www.rsc.org/news-events/opinions/2024/12-december/disability-history-month/
February 2025
Dr. Hind Al-Abadleh
Dr. Hind Al-Abadleh was a distinguished scientist, educator, and leader in environmental chemistry. She served as Professor and Chair of the Department of Earth, Environmental, and Resource Sciences at the University of Texas at El Paso, following a tenure as a Professor of Chemistry at Wilfrid Laurier University. Her research focused on air quality management using low-cost monitors, atmospheric aerosol chemistry, the geochemistry of arsenic, phosphorus, and soil organics, as well as environmental remediation through nanomaterials. Beyond her scientific contributions, she played key leadership roles, including serving as the Chair of the CIC Environment Division and the CMOS Atmosphere-Related Research in Canadian Universities.
Born and raised in the United Arab Emirates, Dr. Al-Abadleh graduated high school as one of the top 10 students in the country before earning her BSc in Chemistry from the United Arab Emirates University. She later pursued a PhD at the University of Iowa, where she was awarded the University of Iowa Dissertation Prize in Mathematics, Physical Sciences, and Engineering. Dr. Al-Abadleh’s impact extended far beyond her research. She was a devoted mentor, inspiring countless students and colleagues alike with her enthusiasm and dedication to science. Dr. Hind Al-Abadleh passed away in January 2025, leaving behind an enduring legacy of scientific excellence, mentorship, and leadership.