QUICK LINKS Today's News News releases ISU homepage NEWS RELEASE 02-21-02 Contacts: Valerie Sheares, Chemistry, (515) 294-2474 Bridget Bailey, News Service, (515) 294-6881 IOWA STATE CHEMISTRY PROFESSOR HONORED IN MAGAZINE AMES, Iowa -- Valerie Sheares, an Iowa State assistant professor of chemistry, has been selected as one of 12 leading American women chemists by the American Chemical Society (ACS). Sheares, who was selected for her contributions to chemistry, will be profiled in the ACS journal Chemical and Engineering News during 2002. The magazine feature is part of the 75th anniversary of the ACS's Women Chemists Committee. The ACS is the world's largest scientific society. "This was not at all expected," Sheares said. "I'm completely surprised and delighted to be chosen. When I look at the list of women, I feel even more honored." Sheares was selected for the potential impact her work with organic polymer synthesis will have on chemistry. Sheares' work focuses on the design and synthesis of materials called high performance polymers. These polymers are plastics used in high-temperature applications such as aerospace, automotive or electronic systems. Elastomeric materials -- adhesives, sealants, and coatings -- are another aspect of her research. Sheares, who has been at Iowa State since 1996, has held positions as a Kodak Corporate Research Fellow; she was a National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow in chemistry; and a NATO/NSF Postdoctoral Fellow in science. She received a B.A. (1988) and Ph.D. (1994) from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. -30- Ames, Iowa 50011, (515) 294-4111 Published by: University Relations, online@iastate.edu Copyright © 1995-2002, Iowa State University of Science and Technology. All rights reserved.