A University chemistry professor has received two prestigious awards in just four months.
Geri Richmond, whose research focuses on physical and environmental chemistry, was elected a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in April.
In January, she received the Council for Chemical Research’s Diversity Award.
Richmond said she’s in good company at the academy.
“It’s a tremendous honor,” she said. “I highly respect the people who are in it.”
Other fellows elected this year included former U.S. Presidents George H.W. Bush and William Jefferson Clinton, Chief
Justice of the United States John Roberts, film director Martin Scorsese and the chairman and vice chairman of the 9/11 Commission, Thomas Kean and Lee Hamilton, respectively.
Richmond also received the Diversity Award in January for her work with the Committee on the Advancement of Women Chemists (COACh).
One of only eight chemists annually elected by the AAAS, Richmond said her students should also be credited for the award.
“The work of the American Academy election is really very much a reflection on the wonderful work of the students I’ve worked with over the years,” she said. “It’s not just honoring me, it’s honoring the University and the work of the students.”
The academy relies on candidates’ publications to decide nominations. Richmond said her students’ efforts were crucial in producing the work cited for the award.
“If they weren’t in the lab working, those publications wouldn’t happen,” she said. “They’re such bright, energetic people.”
Richmond was one of 175 new fellows and 20 new foreign honorary members.
The council’s diversity award is given annually to an individual who has directly affected the ability to advance and promote diversity within the field of chemistry.
Founded in 1998 by Richmond, COACh’s goal is to increase the number of women entering academic chemistry departments, according to its Web site.
“COACh is an organization that seeks to level the playing field for women in academia and sciences,” Richmond said. The group meets this goal by helping women “take on leadership roles at their academic institutions.”
Richmond said the 309-member group holds workshops that teach women professional skills in academic science that help advance their careers. Some of these skills include negotiating, leading groups of peers and reaching group consensus.
Helping to end discrimination against women in science is directly related to the group’s purpose, Richmond said.
“It’s the same issue of helping institutions and departments be more inclusive,” she said.
She also said her experience with COACh has been a highlight of her career.
“Working with women around the country through COACh has been one of the most exciting and energizing things I’ve done in my career,” she said.
The Council for Chemical Research is an organization whose membership, which includes more than 200 companies, universities and government laboratories, represents chemical interests from industry, academia and government.
Richmond will donate the $3,000 check she received with the Diversity Award to various COACh activities.
Richmond’s research at the University uses lasers to understand important adsorptive and reactive processes that occur at surfaces that have relevance to chemistry, biology, technology and environmental issues.
“A lot of the work has to do with understanding the simple principle of how molecules that can be dangerous to the environment can be absorbed at water surfaces,” she said.
Tom Dyke, head of the University’s chemistry department, said Richmond, the Richard M. and Patricia H. Noyes professor of chemistry, has contributed to the University for many years.
“Geri’s been a longtime, extremely important member of the department,” he said. “She runs a research program that’s well-known nationally and internationally.
“We appreciate the terrific service she’s provided to the University and the students of Oregon,” he said.

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