Angela K. Wilson facts for kids

Angela K. Wilson is an amazing American scientist. She was the President of the American Chemical Society in 2022. This is one of the biggest science groups in the world!

Today, she is a special professor of Chemistry at Michigan State University. She also helps lead the College of Natural Sciences. Plus, she directs a cool center called MSU-Q. This center focuses on quantum computing, science, and engineering.

Learning and Early Life

Angela Wilson studied chemistry at Eastern Washington University. She earned her first degree there. Later, she got her Ph.D. in chemical physics from the University of Minnesota.

After that, she worked as a post-doctoral researcher. This means she did more research after getting her Ph.D. She worked at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.

She also took leadership training programs. These helped her learn how to be a great leader. When she was younger, the Girl Scouts helped shape her. She even earned the Gold Award, which is the highest award in Girl Scouts!

Her Career Journey

Working at Universities

In 2000, Dr. Wilson started as a professor at the University of North Texas. She became a full professor in 2009. In 2011, she was named a Regents Professor. This is a very special title.

In 2005, she started a center there called CASCaM. It helps with advanced scientific computing and modeling. She was its first director.

Later, she became the Associate Vice Provost for Faculty. In this role, she worked with many professors and department leaders. She helped them succeed at the university.

Leading at the National Science Foundation

From 2016 to 2018, Dr. Wilson worked for the National Science Foundation (NSF). This is a U.S. government agency. She was the Director of the Chemistry Division.

She led how money was spent on chemistry research across the whole country. Her division had a budget of about $250 million each year!

Back at Michigan State University

In 2016, she also became a special professor at Michigan State University. After her time at the NSF, she returned to MSU.

In 2019, she started and became the director of the MSU Center for Quantum Computing, Science, and Engineering (MSU-Q). She also helped create the MSU Center for PFAS Research.

In 2020, she became an Associate Dean. This means she helps lead the College of Natural Sciences. In 2024, she became the Faculty Senate Chair at Michigan State University.

Working with Science Groups

Dr. Wilson has held many important leadership jobs in big science groups. In 2022, she was the president of the American Chemical Society (ACS). This group has over 200,000 members!

She has also served on the board of directors for ACS. She worked with the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC). She was even the president of one of its divisions.

She also led the chemistry section of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). For the U.S. National Academies, she chaired a committee for IUPAC. She has been part of the U.S. team at IUPAC meetings five times.

In 2024, she was chosen to be the Treasurer for the American Physical Society. She also serves on important committees for the AAAS.

Her Research Work

Dr. Wilson's research covers different areas of chemistry. These include physical, theoretical, and computational chemistry.

She works on many interesting topics. These include:

• Developing new ways to use quantum mechanics.
• Studying small molecules and their properties.
• Designing new medicines and understanding proteins.
• Creating new catalysts for chemical reactions.
• Solving environmental problems like CO2 and PFAS.
• Studying heavy metals and how materials behave.

Some of her special methods are used by scientists all over the world. Her recent work on PFAS chemicals helps us understand their effects on health. It also looks at ways to clean them up in the environment. For medicine, she has worked on treatments for diseases like tuberculosis.

As an Author and Editor

Dr. Wilson has written over 200 scientific articles. These articles are reviewed by other scientists.

She is also an editor for a science journal. It is called Annual Reports in Computational Chemistry. She helps decide which articles get published.

She has also edited seven books. One of them is called Pioneers of Quantum Chemistry.

Dr. Wilson often gives talks about science policy and her research. She has given over 500 invited talks. She shares her knowledge about science, leadership, and success.

Awards and Special Recognitions

Dr. Wilson was named one of the top five most influential women chemists. She was also among the top 40 most influential women in STEM. This was for the years 2010-2020.

Here are some of her other awards:

• NSF CAREER Award, 2003
• Wiley International Journal of Quantum Chemistry Young Investigator Award, 2003
• Kavli Fellow, 2004
• Eastern Washington University Alumni Achievement Award, 2006
• National Associate of the U.S. National Academies, 2007
• Outstanding Mentor Award, 2009
• Toulouse Scholars Award, 2009
• Teachers-Scholar Award, 2009
• QSCP Promising Scientist Award, 2010
• Research Leadership Award, 2011
• Distinguished Lecturer, 2012
• Distinguished Women in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering, International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry, 2013
• Decker Scholar, 2013-15
• Wilfred T. Doherty Award, 2014
• Francis P. Garvan-John M. Olin Medal, 2015
• University of North Texas Eminent Scholar Award, 2015
• Michigan Women's Hall of Fame, 2018
• Outstanding Achievement Award, University of Minnesota, 2020
• MSU College of Natural Sciences Outstanding Faculty Award, 2022
• William J. Beal Outstanding Faculty Award, 2023
• Iota Sigma Pi National Honorary Member, 2023
• Association for Women in Science Zenith Award, 2023

She is also a Fellow of several important science groups. These include the American Chemical Society (2010), the American Association for the Advancement of Science (2012), the American Physical Society (2013), and the Royal Society of Chemistry (2021).

In 2023, she was one of three women interviewed for a science journal. This was to celebrate "Women in Science" on Ada Lovelace Day.

See also

In Spanish: Angela K. Wilson para niños