York University Professor Cora Young is a rising star in the world of chemical sciences. Chemical & Engineering News (C&EN), the weekly news magazine of the American Chemical Society (ACS), has named her to its new Talented 12 list.
The annual list, now in its fifth year, recognizes up-and-coming chemistry researchers and innovators who are tackling some of the world’s most pressing issues. Young is one of 12 chosen out of a field of 500 nominees by C&EN staff, Talented 12 alumni and members of the global chemistry community.
ACS announced the list on Sunday at its fall 2019 national meeting and exposition in San Diego, Calif. This week’s issue of C&EN will feature this year’s Talented 12.
Young is an atmospheric and analytical environmental chemist who tracks trace chemicals that affect climate and air quality. She uses state-of-the-science analytical techniques to characterize chemicals, their sources and their fates in the environment, and is continually looking for environmental problems that could benefit from her expertise.
“What unites all these projects,” said Young, the Guy Warwick Rogers Chair in Chemistry, “is having my interest piqued by some important environmental problem, then realizing, ‘Oh, I have a measurement that might fill a gap there.’ ”
She is often searching for tiny amounts – parts per quadrillion – of chemicals in Arctic ice samples. Many of those chemicals have travelled from long distances to reach the Arctic from consumer products such as flame retardants or non-stick surfaces on cookware, as well as pesticides.
Bibiana Campos Seijo (PhD), editor-in-chief of C&EN and vice-president of C&EN Media Group, said, “We are proud to present this year’s Talented 12 class here in San Diego. This annual list of innovators features our most diverse science yet and is comprised of a group of young pioneers who are determined to change the world. As some of the brightest and most influential minds in the chemical sciences, there is no doubt they will shake up our field. The future is bright. Prepare to be inspired.”
ACS, the world’s largest scientific society, is a not-for-profit organization chartered by the U.S. Congress. ACS is a global leader in providing access to chemistry-related information and research through its multiple databases, peer-reviewed journals and scientific conferences. ACS does not conduct research, but publishes and publicizes peer-reviewed scientific studies.
Thermo Fisher Scientific sponsors the Talented 12 list.