2019 C O L L E G E O F C H E M I S T RY IMPACT REPORT
DEAN’S REPORT
Douglas S. Clark DEAN, COLLEGE OF CHEMISTRY GILBERT N. LEWIS PROFESSOR
Setting our future course As you may know, Berkeley today is the #1 Global University for Chemistry (2019 U.S. News & World Report), continuing our long-standing history of excellence in chemistry and chemical engineering. For 147 years, the College of Chemistry has been pushing the boundaries of chemistry research, advancing society and technology, and reaching solutions to the most urgent issues of the times. I am thrilled to announce that fiscal year 2019 was our most successful fundraising year ever, having raised a total of $31+M in gifts and pledges, a total of $17+M in gifts and payments, and a total of $2+M to our core unrestricted annual funds from 1,424 donors. This success will set us on a course to realize our plan of a new chemistry building. A preliminary analysis for a new building was recently completed by the global design, architecture, engineering, and planning firm HOK. Aesthetically, we envision a more inviting eastern framing of the Chemistry Plaza, modernizing and completing the framing of the East Gate Entrance. The plaza level floor will focus on instructional space, including a large lecture hall and small seminar/discussion rooms. The College has a rich history of hiring and retaining world-leading faculty who are committed to groundbreaking research, distinguished teaching, and strong service to the community. To that end, we are delighted to welcome four new faculty members to the College this year who epitomize our research, teaching, and service mission: Michael Zuerch, Assistant Professor of Chemistry; Karthik Shekhar, Assistant Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering; Alanna Schepartz, Professor of Chemistry; and Polly Arnold, Professor of Chemistry. We all value a diverse, welcoming community environment for graduate and undergraduate students; postdoctoral researchers; visiting scholars and students; faculty; and staff. Efforts in the College continue to build on our current foundation and work toward this important goal. We are proud to provide approximately 1,000 undergraduate students with a “small college” experience within a large university setting where our faculty and graduate students work hand-in-hand with undergraduate students in classrooms and laboratories. Additionally, our graduate students are actively involved in connecting with and engaging the next generation of scientists through science and engineering volunteer role model programs, such as Bay Area Scientists in Schools (BASIS) and Community Resources for Science (CRS). With your continued support, the College of Chemistry will remain the world leader in teaching, research, and service in the chemical sciences. Thank you for your generous contributions.
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Dean’s Report
2 Capital Campaign 6 Student Experience Update 10 Donor Highlights 13 Corporate and Foundation Partnerships 14 Your Gifts 16 The Power of Bequests 20 College Leadership 21 Donor Honor Rolls & In Memoriam Š 2019, Regents of the University of California
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CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
Creating a state-of-the-art facility to support the next generation of chemical scientists With your help, our new research complex will support 21st century chemical education and develop a platinum standard for research facilities and sustainability.
“ The curiosity-driven research in Stanley Hall that created CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing has spawned new advances and industries worldwide. We cannot underestimate the revolutionary impact that one building — and the great minds and equipment that inhabit it — can have on making life-changing discoveries.” — JENNIFER DOUDNA, LI KA SHING CHANCELLOR’S CHAIR IN BIOMEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES
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Rendering of new building location including site placement and height at the corner of University Drive and Gayley Road.
The College of Chemistry’s faculty and students form a unique research community combining chemistry, chemical biology and chemical engineering into a revolutionary approach to scientific discovery. Our facilities need to be as diverse and unique as the people and ideas that they house to aid in forging breakthrough discoveries.
RESEARCH The design will be environmentally sensitive, with state-of-theart flexible modular laboratories that can be reconfigured as research opportunities arise and change. Special shared spaces for faculty and industry partners will be created to focus research collaborations and potential startups.
FEASIBILITY STUDY The global design firm HOK was retained this spring to create a feasibility study for the College’s new science hub. HOK has recommended putting a new research complex, built in three phases, next to the current chemistry buildings to facilitate the least disruption to the current labs. The concept recommends a first phase of approximately 110,000 square feet spread over eight floors to be placed along Gayley Road between Pimentel and Lewis Halls.
ENCOURAGING THE COLLEGE STARTUP CULTURE There is a definite synergy between startups and the Ph.D. research happening at the College. In recent years, a number of new startups have emerged from both the Chemistry and CBE departments. The new complex will support ground-breaking research and allow the startup culture to thrive.
$120 MILLION
PHASE ONE FUNDING NEEDED
$40 MILLION
RAISED TO DATE
Become part of the College of Chemistry revolution by giving to the capital campaign. For information about giving opportunities contact: Laurent “Lo” de Janvry, Assistant Dean, College Relations and Development ldejanvry@berkeley.edu Keep up to date on the campaign’s progress: chemistry.berkeley.edu/sciencehub
$35
MILLION
PRELIMINARY CAMPUS SUPPORT
$45
MILLION
STILL TO RAISE
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CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
Terry and Tori Rosen transformative gift honors faculty advisor College of Chemistry alumnus Terry Rosen (Ph.D. ’85, Chem), CEO of Arcus Biosciences, and his wife Tori, have donated $25 million to the College of Chemistry to accelerate fundraising for the new chemistry building which will be named in honor of Terry’s beloved mentor and former chemistry dean Clayton Heathcock. The building will be named Heathcock Hall, and is currently scheduled for groundbreaking in 2021 and opening in 2023. It will primarily house state-of-the-art research labs, with some classroom space and undergraduate labs. It will also include collaborative spaces to encourage faculty and student entrepreneurs to commercialize their innovations.
gateway into the College,” said College of Chemistry Dean Douglas Clark. “We don’t really have that entryway to the College complex, so the new building will be a functional upgrade as well as an enhancement in the overall appearance of the College.” Clark noted that Heathcock Hall will be surrounded by buildings named after other illustrious Berkeley chemists: Gilbert Newton Lewis, who shaped our understanding of how chemicals form bonds; Wendell Latimer, who first described oxidation states of atoms; and George Pimentel, the inventor of the chemical laser.
The Rosens, long-time benefactors of the College, gave $1 million several years ago to help jump start the building project and to support a named lectureship in Heathcock’s honor. They have given generously to the College annual fund throughout the years. Terry currently holds the title of special advisor to the dean and is also a trustee of the UC Berkeley Foundation. He states, “I’ve had a long and productive relationship with the College of Chemistry, where I received my Ph.D. However, being a Trustee has allowed me to see the campus from beyond the vantage of a unit. It has given me a broad perspective on the entire University, which has helped to shape my College of Chemistry experience and enabled me to think in new ways about what is possible.” Located at the eastern entrance to campus across from the Hearst Greek Theatre, Heathcock Hall will “provide a striking
Terry Rosen with Clayton Heathcock at a recent College seminar
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Tori and Terry Rosen with College dean Douglas Clark on campus
Heathcock was both honored and humbled by the gift. He said. “I was blown away, and quite conflicted about the whole idea of naming a building in my honor. I did nothing to deserve that,” said Heathcock, who retired in 2004 and is a professor emeritus of chemistry. “But we have all had teachers who changed the direction of our lives. I am grateful to Terry; who was a real stand-out in my lab in the 1980s.” “Terry and Tori have been generous donors and great supporters of the College of Chemistry, and this is such an incredible opportunity for us,” he said. “Our departments rank among the best in the world, but if you look at our peers across the country, they all have relatively new facilities. We are lagging behind in that regard, so new space is essential to attract new hires and retain our top faculty.” Tori Rosen said, “Basic research provides the necessary foundation for expanding knowledge and developing scientific skills. It is akin to learning to walk before you can run. I believe providing a top-tier environment for students and faculty is key to the success of training future scientists to be the ‘best-in-class,’ paving the way for exciting and innovative achievement, both individually and collectively.”
Heathcock authored 285 papers during his research career at Berkeley and was honored by election to the National Academy of Sciences. He is a fellow of the American Chemical Society and American Academy of Arts and Sciences and has received numerous awards. “Berkeley’s curriculum is very research-focused and it became obvious to me when I arrived as a graduate student that not only was the research and specific project that Clayton proposed to me very exciting, but Clayton’s way of interacting with his students and his total passion for the science and engagement were awesome,” Terry said, who has had a long career in drug discovery and development, including the founding of two start-ups that focused on small-molecule drugs. “It was a very special time for me, and I think for the Heathcock group as well.”
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STUDENT EXPERIENCE UPDATE
Crowdfunding campaign supports new graduate diversity initiative
Chemistry graduate students Emily Hartman and Chrissy Stachl didn’t start out planning to use crowdfunding as a way to support the Chemistry Graduate Life Committee’s (CGLC) efforts to advance diversity and inclusion. Like the initiative itself, the decision to use crowdfunding to raise money was somewhat organic.
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CGLC committee members including Chair of Chemistry Matthew Francis (third from right). The committee includes both faculty and graduate students.
Stachl states, “We were moving along with planning the first climate survey. Some of the faculty were chipping in to support the early meetings and events but it was fairly ad hoc. As we moved forward with the survey, we identified issues surrounding mentorship, diversity, and mental health that were going to need funds to make them a reality.
The CGLC raised funds not only from alumni and students, but also from several of our College Advisory Board members who provided matching funds. The campaign successfully raised over $5,000.00. The funds are being used to advocate for graduate student wellness, spearhead diversity, inclusion, and equity initiatives, coordinate social events and more. The committee is also looking to improve the graduate student lounge with new furniture for hosting receptions and events.
“We reached out to the College’s Assistant Dean of Development, Laurent de Janvry, and he suggested that we use crowdfunding as a way to garner funds. As the CGLC started to put the campaign together, we realized that raising funds this way would also bring public awareness to the diversity initiative.”
Stachl comments, “We’re off to a good start but we’re going to need more money to grow the program. Finding a more stable funding source will allow us to focus on the program’s initiatives instead of worrying about raising funds. What would be great would be to find a corporate sponsor to give annually.”
Chem grads Jade Fostvedt (Arnold lab), Josh Turnbull (Miller lab), Joe Brackbill (Arnold lab), and Harry Bergman (Tilley lab) demonstrate chemistry concepts to young students in an Oakland School.
Chem grads demonstrate science in the schools
Our graduate students are amazing. Not only are they great researchers and basic discovery scientists, they are also very special people interested in improving the STEM education of students in the local grade schools. Last year, 188 graduate students from the College volunteered to share their love of science with the next generation! They volunteered with Bay Area Scientists in the Schools (BASIS), a science and engineering volunteer role model program that serves the public elementary schools in Berkeley, Oakland, Richmond, and Pinole. It is the largest of Community Resources for Science (CRS) core programs. CRS was founded in 1997 by two Berkeley moms who wanted more science in the elementary schools. Teachers and students in kindergarten through 6th grades are given the opportunity to interact with real-life scientists and engineers, while exploring hands-on science experiments and engineering challenges (and oh yes, did we mention it’s a lot of fun for everyone?). The program has grown astronomically since 1998 when Robert Bergman, the Emeritus Gerald E. K. Branch Distinguished Professor of Chemistry, helped set up the first group of 12 graduate volunteers from the College of Chemistry. The current numbers are inspiring. For the 2018-2019 school year, over 889
volunteers from nine Colleges at UC Berkeley interacted with more than 16,000 students in 600 classroom visits. Currently two graduate students from the College sit on the BASIS steering committee. Julie Fornaciari (Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering) and Jade Fostvedt (Chemistry) help steer the course for the College’s students to become volunteers. Although he is now a Board alumnus, Professor Bergman still stops by during volunteer intake sessions to talk about the program and the kinds of experiences students can have. Fostvedt said of the program, “I’ve been volunteering with BASIS for two years and have been on the steering committee for the last year. BASIS provides an incredible opportunity for graduate students to get involved in Bay Area STEM. Visiting elementary school classrooms encompasses what I love most about science; the thrill of discovery, designing creative ways to solve problems, and sharing knowledge with others. “Berkeley Chemistry graduate students represent the largest group of BASIS volunteers of any department on campus! I would love to see our tradition of volunteerism continue for years to come.”
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STUDENT EXPERIENCE UPDATE
The Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Innovation Incubator Lab
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The CBE Innovation Incubator Lab (Incubator) was started in 2015 as a laboratory program for ChemE undergrads to explore student-directed chemical engineering projects. With a generous initial gift from Ellen and Chat Chatterjee (Ph.D. ’71, ChemE) the historic lab of Glenn T. Seaborg in Gilman Hall was renovated to house the program. The Incubator encourages student entrepreneurship and creativity through an open proposal process. In addition, it provides supervision and consultancy in safety, technical training, and commercialization. Shannon Ciston, the program’s director states, “We were looking for opportunities to allow CBE undergraduates a wet lab experience that was not too hazardous and would provide space for a year in which to experiment. The program emphasizes gaining research skills and allows students to explore the very important concept that research doesn’t always work the first time. Some teams have needed to try two or three ideas to find one that becomes viable.” Research projects in the Incubator are as varied as the students’ interests. Recent projects have included biofuel research to purify cooking oil from the University’s kitchens, cosmetic research on emulsification of creams and lipsticks,
and experimentation on isolating protein from the superfood moringa oleifera seeds. CBE Chair Jeffrey Reimer says of the program, “Engineering is at its best when students create what has never been. Our Incubator Lab embodies this principle by allowing students to respond not to the instructions of others, but to their own imagination and perspicacity.” Applying to the Incubator is meant to be an educational experience as well. Student projects are considered via a proposal process. The majority of the team members need to be from the CBE Department. A faculty sponsor and a campus safety certification are also required before a team can begin research. The program provides $500 in seed funding for research and regular access to the lab. Ongoing support for lab equipment, GSI oversight, and stipends for the students have been provided by Brian and Lisa Davis (B.S. ’85, ChemE) and Nobel Laureate Frances Arnold. “Most innovations are not obvious to other people at the time. You have to believe in yourself. If you’ve got a good idea, follow it even when others say it’s not.” Frances Arnold (Ph.D, ’85, ChemE).
“ First, I believe that a good Chemical Engineer must
have a solid background in chemistry. That is why I came to Berkeley to get my M.S. and Ph.D. It is one of only three universities in the United States where ChemE is a part of the College of Chemistry. The synergy was fantastic and has always been very beneficial to me.” — CHAT CHATTERJEE (PH.D. ’71, CHEME)
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DONOR HIGHLIGHTS
Robert and Wendy Bergman education activists Robert (Bob) Bergman, the Gerald E. K. Branch Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Chemistry, has forged a long and illustrious research and teaching career in organic and inorganic chemistry at UC Berkeley. And along the way, he and his wife Wendy have given back as both philanthropists and as education activists. His research is focused on organic and organometallic chemistry. He first investigated the reaction mechanisms of organic reactions at Caltech. He developed methods for the generation and study of very reactive, often very short-lived, molecules. Early in his research career he discovered the thermal cyclization of cis-1,5-hexadiyne-3-ene to 1,4-dehydrobenzene diradicals known as the Bergman cyclization. Since the mid-1970s, he has also contributed to the synthesis and reaction of organometallic complexes. He and his coworkers discovered the first example of a metal complex that adds directly into the carbon-hydrogen bonds of alkanes and other organic molecules. Bob arrived in Berkeley in 1977 with his wife Wendy and their two young sons. They met at Carleton College in Minnesota as undergrads and went on to graduate school at the University of Wisconsin. They were married in Wendy’s parents’ living room in 1965 while Bob was in his third year of graduate school. Bob came to UC Berkeley from an appointment at CalTech and was joined by fellow organometallic chemist Earl Muetterties the next year. Together they inaugurated the organometallic research program. They had adjoining offices on the 2nd floor in Lewis Hall. Bob was torn about leaving CalTech but opted to say farewell to his 1,000 square foot
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lab space with no air conditioning and Los Angeles smog (it was the 1970s) for a roomy 2,000 square foot lab and the Bay Area’s Mediterranean air. According to Bob, “Initially the resources for the UC system were pretty good. However, Proposition 13 passed in 1978 which froze the state property tax increases that provided much of the funding for the UC system. UC Berkeley found itself in the position of having to compete with private institutions for donations. Over time it has become increasingly important to give to the College to support ongoing and new programs as State funding continues to sharply decrease.” Bob and Wendy donate annually to the College. When asked why, he says, “I want to give back. I think it’s very important to give money to educational organizations. They are always among the nonprofit organizations with the greatest needs. It’s easy for organizations like the Red Cross to raise money when there is a disaster and a lot harder when you are trying to raise funds for science labs and student scholarships.” Another remarkable way the Bergmans have given back to both the College and the local community is through their support of Community Resources for Science (CRS). CRS was started in 1997 in Berkeley by Anne Jennings and Nicki Norman, two mothers with young children in the Berkeley public school system who realized there was almost no science being taught and decided to do something to help remedy that situation. While pursuing a second graduate degree at Berkeley, Wendy met Corinn Brown, an early member of the CRS program. Bob was introduced to Corinn at a potluck he and Wendy were attending. Corinn told him CRS was looking for graduate student volunteers to bring a science experience to elementary
“ I want to give back. I think it’s very important to give money to
educational organizations. They are always among the nonprofit organizations with the greatest needs.” — ROBERT BERGMAN
A WHIRLWIND OF BOB AND WENDY: Former grad students spell out Bob’s name at a symposium; Bob and Wendy getting married; at a costume party at CalTech; Bob smashes a boombox for a graduate video; and Bob and Wendy in Egypt with a new friend.
school students. Bob agreed to help and emailed most of the graduate students and postdocs in the College. The 12 people who responded became the first volunteer cohort. Twenty-one years later, 188 College of Chemistry students volunteered out of 889 participants across nine UC Berkeley colleges and departments. The program now exposes over 16,000 K–6th grade students to science and engineering lessons, allowing them to meet the diverse scientists of the future. Bob sat on the board of CRS for a number of years.
Bob comments, “People are interested in science and how it is done. You need to start with students at a young age to make science part of their vocabulary. They don’t want to sit and listen to facts; they want to learn by participating. It is also a great program for our graduate students. They get hands-on teaching experience and the pleasure of working with young students and their teachers in the classroom.”
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DONOR HIGHLIGHTS
Ross Crockett starting out Ross Crockett (B.S. ’14, ChemE) has worked at the Genentech campus in South San Francisco for five years since he finished his degree in 2014. Crockett states, “I did not start looking for work until after I graduated which frankly, I don’t recommend. I had decided I wanted to get more exposure in biotech when I did start my job search. While an undergrad, I did a biotech internship and found that I really liked it. I thought Genentech would be a good place to start my career and I am very happy I wound up here. “I came to Berkeley initially thinking I wasn’t interested in biology. However, I took organic chemistry in my freshman/sophomore years and I was hooked. I studied with Matthew Francis and Richmond Sarpong and fell in love with the subject. “When I started looking for a research position, I went to the College website looking for professors interested biofuels. I talked may way into Dean Douglas Clark’s lab. I was very fortunate to work with Zachary Baer (Ph.D. ’14, ChemE) who was doing biofuel co-fermentation research.” Genentech has a program for new employees to rotate through multiple positions during the first three years on the job. For Crockett, this was an introduction to translating benchtop research to manufacturing processes. Crockett states, “I would definitely recommend working at Genentech and also their parent organization Roche. They are major world research players. You can wind up visiting, or working at their Japan, Germany, and Switzerland facilities. Their rotation program provides you with great early career experience. They are interested in recent undergrads, providing them with multiple training opportunities which allows Genentech to evaluate and build the company’s talent.” The campus population in South San Francisco is around 13,000. Crockett continues, “We actually have our own emergency response team because of the size. There are also several corporate cafeterias although we don’t get the free food they do at Google and Apple. Genentech has a wonderful perk. For every six years you work, you get a six-week paid sabbatical. People go to Europe, sail, no strings attached time off. I’m really looking forward to that next year! “I recognize that my academic success at Cal was due to a combination of my abilities; my access to exceptional facilities
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Ross Crockett in front of the South San Francisco Genentech campus.
We asked Ross what advice he would give to his younger self just starting at the College: “Two things – First, it’s well worth your time taking classes outside your major. It would have been better if I did more subjects like anthropology and English literature to be more rounded. I was so focused on my science that I didn’t really consider it. Secondly, your mental health. Find an outlet – club, social group, sports – something that interests you. It’s critical that you break up your day so you are not too absorbed in your course work all the time.”
and people at the College; and the privilege of having a stable family who supported me financially and emotionally during my studies. I know that not every student at the College has the same support network. I hope that at a minimum, my connection with the College can be valuable to current students. I have decided it is important to give back both through my experience and financially in support of the next generation of students.”
CORPORATE AND FOUNDATION PARTNERSHIPS
Applied Materials was onsite for this year’s ChemX event talking to graduate students about careers.
Company partnerships remain integral to our success We are grateful to our corporate and foundation partners for funding our research and student programs and for their recruitment visits to campus. This year many corporations including Chevron, Allied Materials, Genentech, Lam Research, L’Oreal, ExxonMobile, Aduro Biotech, Bayer, Merck, and Procter and Gamble participated onsite for events sponsored by the College and the graduate and undergraduate departments. Senior Director of Development Mindy Rex stated, “We are tremendously grateful to our corporate and foundation sponsors. We have received significant support from the Life Sciences Research Foundation, Ross M. Brown Family Foundation, Ayco Charitable Foundation, Howard Hughes Medical Institute and other major donors. These gifts which go to research, student scholarships and fellowships, and other College programs make a genuine difference to our student’s experience while they are here at Berkeley.” The Ross M. Brown Family Foundation generously provided a $750,000 gift in support of a graduate fellowship. Mr. Brown made the donation in honor of his father, Weldon G. Brown (Ph.D. ’31, Chem) who studied with G.E. Gibson. Dr. Brown enjoyed a long career as a professor in the Department of
Chemistry at the University of Chicago, where he became known for the invention of paper chromatography and pioneering work on lithium aluminum hydride reductions. Advisory Board member Rubber Chen (PMP Tech) has donated a $3.6 million gift to endow a new faculty position and Chair. The PMP Tech Chancellor’s Chair in Chemistry will be awarded to a tenured level faculty member. The gift also provides for a full-time faculty position in soft materials science. Chevron has continued its generous support for undergraduate scholarships and graduate fellowships. Chevron hosted a reception last spring at the University’s Faculty Club to celebrate this year’s student recipients. ExxonMobile, Genentech, and Proctor and Gamble were recent presenters at recruiting events for the AIChE Club’s recruitment invitational. The AIChE club has also invited the CBE faculty to hold discussions with the undergraduates in order to provide opportunity for students who may not yet be familiar with the faculty members work. The events have been packed.
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Your Gifts
For the 2018-19 fiscal year, the College of Chemistry received a total of
$31.8M from
1,577 donors Figures include new gifts, pledges and bequest commitments made between July 1, 2018 and June 30, 2019, and excludes pledge payments.
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Core Revenue by Designation $638,299
College of Chemistry
$168,649
Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
$545,847
Department of Chemistry
$77,818
Undergraduate Program
$951,158
Dean’s Strategic Initiatives
$39,443
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Wellness
Total core giving to the College’s unrestricted annual funds
$2,421,214 from
1,425 donors This represents a 45% increase in revenue over prior fiscal year.
PHOTO COURTESY TED HOU (PH.D. ’95, CHEM)
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THE POWER OF BEQUESTS
The remarkable legacy of Dr. Yuan-Tsan Chia Yuan-Tsan Chia was 89 when she passed away in 2017. Her friends and colleagues knew her as “YT�. She was born in the province of Shanxi, China in 1928, the youngest of five children born to Ching-Teh and En-Chang Chia. She was the first member of her family to permanently relocate to the United States and forge a distinguished career in science at a time when it was atypical for women to do so in an expert capacity. Dr. Chia had a prolific career as a research chemist at DuPont after receiving her Ph.D. from UC Berkeley in 1959. Her family moved from Shanxi to Southern China where she received her early education in Chongqing and Nanjing. She traveled with her family in the 1940s to Taiwan as a result of the turbulent war years in China. She graduated from National Taiwan University in 1951 with a degree in chemistry and started working as a teaching assistant before coming to the United States for graduate school in 1953. Dr. Chia began her graduate education at Mills College in Oakland. The Mills faculty encouraged her to transfer to UC Berkeley when she was selected for the prestigious Li Foundation scholarship for advanced studies. She received her masters and Ph.D. at Berkeley in physical chemistry studying with Professor Robert Connick. (He had a long and prolific research career at Berkeley. He served as Chemistry Department Chair, College of Chemistry Dean, UC Berkeley Vice Chancellor, and Chair of the Academic Senate at both Berkeley and the entire University of California system.) After receiving her degree at Berkeley, Dr. Chia went on to do postdoctoral research at the University of Wisconsin. In 1960 she was the first woman to join the Central Research Department at DuPont in Wilmington, Delaware, where she worked for over 30 years. Dr. Chia obtained a series of patents collaborating on noteworthy projects including improvements to the manufacturing processes for synthetic fibers and the development of various Teflon and Kevlar applications. She published a number of scientific papers before retiring in 1993. She was a member of the American Chemical Society and a charter member of the Wilmington branch of the American Association of University Women.
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Dr. Chia was well known for her sharp intelligence, humble kindness, and eagerness to learn about interesting new things. She was unfailingly supportive of people in all generations. She did not marry but is survived by an extended family of nieces, nephews, and their families. She also had a large number of cherished and abiding friendships throughout her life. She left a remarkable bequest of her estate to the College of Chemistry in honor of Professor Connick. Her legacy, which amounts to more than $4 million, is designated for undergraduate scholarships and will provide a substantial boost to the scholarship program.
Yuan-Tsan Chia has been named a Builder of Berkeley to honor her gracious legacy.
YT Chia in her lab at DuPont, circa: early 1960s.
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THE POWER OF BEQUESTS
Peter Foller giving back to expand electrochemical research
Foller in Bangor, Maine in 1979 during a cross-country driving trip in a “cool little ’73 Porsche 914 2.0”.
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“ I want to make sure that the institution that was so formative to my career will continue to excel at developing talented young people capable of extending the kinds of research that has interested me.” — PETER FOLLER
Peter Foller (B.S. ’74, Chem; M.S. ’76, Chem; Ph.D. ’79 Chem) calls himself more an “intrapreneur” than an entrepreneur. After completing his Ph.D. in chemistry with Charles Tobias, Foller worked for both large and small companies, contributing to a wide range of commercial endeavors that included the electrochemical production of oxidant chemicals, metal/air batteries, metals electrowinning, chlor/alkali and derivatives, and ophthalmic lens materials and their photochromic treatments. In his final corporate position, he was the director of R&D for PPG Industries’ chemical and optical businesses. He led the research for Transitions Optical (an internal start-up joint venture with Essilor International which eventually purchased the company) developing photochromic ophthalmic lenses. Foller is very proud of his role at PPG. Many people now wear products developed by the R&D team he was largely responsible for building. Foller states, “I made a decision while at PPG that upon my ‘retirement’, I would move on to a more entrepreneurial approach to business. I returned to the Bay Area and started consulting with young companies, basically becoming an advisor and angel investor.” Although Foller has invested across a broad range of technologies, he currently is advising and participating in several companies developing chemical sensing for process safety, environmental, and health awareness uses. He also serves as CEO of a U.S. subsidiary of a Chinese company introducing handheld laser-based technologies. “The company’s products are being used by utilities and fire departments for the detection of natural gas leaks. Another product that has gone to market is a Wi-Fi enabled radon detector for locating radioactive gas in homes which can cause lung cancer.”
Foller comments, “I was really fortunate to be able to stay at Berkeley to get my Ph.D. with Charles Tobias. He laid the foundation of electrochemical engineering at the College. Moreover, while working on my Ph.D., I had Glenn Seaborg’s former lab in 307 Gilman where plutonium was discovered. He would occasionally stop by with visitors. It was a thrill.” Foller describes group meetings with Tobias, “During the first 20-30 minutes Charles would do what we called ‘the monologue’. He might discuss anything from what was going on at the University’s art museum (he was a board member) to the situation of scholars working behind the Iron Curtain. You were never sure where he would start, but it was always interesting. He was passionate about so many things.” Foller has established a bequest to the College that will provide fellowships in “the science and applications of electrochemical processes and the optical properties of materials”. He states, “I want to make sure that the institution that was so formative to my career will continue to excel at developing talented young people capable of extending the kinds of research that have interested me. Nevertheless, I would like to see the awardees be free to develop breadth so that they can always bring a fresh perspective that connects and integrates to each new challenge.” He continues, “I decided to give to the University in this way in order to retain full control of my assets and the security they provide during my lifetime. However, my bequest is to the College, which I expect to remain more insulated from passing political pressures than the University itself. When the time comes, I am happy to have found a way to honor my alma mater and mentors. I am but a footnote to the legacy I was privileged to benefit from and want to help see that it continues to flourish.”
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LEADERSHIP
College Leadership Douglas S. Clark, Ph.D. Dean, College of Chemistry Richmond Sarpong, Ph.D. Executive Associate Dean, College of Chemistry Jeffrey A. Reimer, Ph.D. Chair, Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering Matthew Francis, Ph.D. Chair, Department of Chemistry
John Arnold, Ph.D. Undergraduate Dean, College of Chemistry Laurent de Janvry Assistant Dean, College Relations & Development Michael Kumpf Assistant Dean, Engineering and Facilities Suzanne Sutton Assistant Dean, Administration & Finance
Advisory Board Ronald E. Silva, J.D., Advisory Board Chair President & CEO, Fillmore Capital Partners, LLC
John H. Markels, Ph.D. President, Merck Vaccines
Andre Argenton, Ph.D. Global Senior Director of Corporate Research, The Dow Chemical Company
Gary M. Masada, Ph.D. Retired President and CIO, IT, ERTC Chevron Corporation
Shih Hung Chan, Ph.D. Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Fuel Cell Center/Department of Mechanical Engineering, Yuan Ze University Sunney I. Chan, Ph.D. CalTech, Emeritus George Grant Hoag Professor Biophysical Chemistry Nirmal Chatterjee, Ph.D. Retired Vice President Engineering, Air Products and Chemicals; Previous Advisory Board Chair Rubber Chen, B.S. CEO of Pioneer Material Precision Tech (PMP Tech) Margaret Chu-Moyer, Ph.D. Vice President, Research, Amgen Inc. Zhiping (Phillip) Cui, MBA Vice President and General Manager of VC Investment Department, Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical (Group) Co., Ltd Herbert H. Hooper, Ph.D. Managing General Partner, Ampersand Ventures
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Alan Mendelson, J.D. Partner, Latham & Watkins, LLP Cynthia Murphy-Ortega, B.S Manager, University Partnerships & Association Relations, Chevron Corporation Ann Caviani Pease, Ph.D., J.D. Partner at Dechert LLP (retired) R. Andrew Ramelmeier, Ph.D. Senior Vice President, Technical Operations & Manufacturing, Sagamo Therapeutics Georgieanna Scheuerman, Ph.D. Retired Manager, Applied Research and Catalysis, Chevron Energy Technology Company Harmeet Singh, Ph.D. Corporate Vice President, Lam Research Peter Walther, Ph.D. Senior Vice President, Heterogeneous Catalysis, BASF Corporation
Ted Hou, Ph.D. CEO at NEEM Scientific; General Partner, Berkeley Catalyst Fund
Keith Watson, Ph.D. Founder, Practivist Investors LLC; former Vice President Corporate Research and Development, The Dow Chemical Company
Steven Isaacs, Ph.D. Chairman, President and CEO Aduro Biotech
Ellie Yi-Li Yieh, B.S. Vice President & General Manager, Applied Materials, Inc.
Yuan T. Lee, Ph.D. Nobel Laureate, UCB Professor Emeritus, Chemistry; President Emeritus Academia Sinica
Learn more: chemistry.berkeley.edu/advisory-board
Donor Honor Rolls & In Memoriam DONOR HONOR ROLLS
IN MEMORIAM
The annual Donor Honor Rolls are available on our website at chemistry.berkeley.edu/donors. The rolls include individual, corporate, and memorial donations. The College of Chemistry deeply appreciates each and every gift from our incredible alumni, students, parents, friends, and corporate community. Your generosity, now more than ever, is critical as we strive to increase scholarship offerings for students, provide funds to support our stellar faculty, augment support programs, and enhance our facilities.
The 2019 In Memoriam for the College of Chemistry is located on our website at chemistry.berkeley.edu/memoriam. We create an annual list in honor of our deceased alumni, adding names throughout the year as they become available to us. It is our hope that this In Memoriam will help you to keep abreast of news of your friends and colleagues. When possible, we link to obituaries.
Through our Distinguished Dean’s Society, the College of Chemistry recognizes annual gifts from individuals, foundations, and corporations that support the many areas of College research, teaching, and operations. Eight levels of giving are recognized. Membership is determined for each level by gifts made during the previous fiscal year, which is the period from July 1 – June 30. The online rolls note gifts made during the fiscal year 2018-2019. Please accept our sincere gratitude for your generous support of the College of Chemistry.
CONTACT US Laurent “Lo” de Janvry Assistant Dean, College Relations and Development ldejanvry@berkeley.edu Mindy Rex Senior Director of Development rex@berkeley.edu Camille Olufson Senior Director, Strategic and Philanthropic Partnerships colufson@berkeley.edu Adam Farrish Associate Director, College Relations & Development amf190@berkeley.edu
GIVE TO THE PROGRAMS THAT MATTER MOST AND RETAIN YOUR ASSETS DURING YOUR LIFETIME By making a gift to the College of Chemistry in your will or irrevocable trust, you are creating a legacy that impacts the College’s future without depleting your assets now. This allows you to make a meaningful gift to the programs that are important to you. In addition, it will support future generations of chemistry and chemical and biomolecular engineering students. Learn more about gift planning and the potential tax benefits by contacting the Office of Gift Planning: 800-200-0575 | ogp@berkeley.edu | planyourlegacy.berkeley.edu
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Join our College of Chemistry group and connect with fellow alumni, potential employers, and funders. Learn about the latest College research and innovations, upcoming events, and career and professional development opportunities. chemistry.berkeley.edu/linkedin
Your loyal and generous support of our College, no matter the amount, helps ensure our College’s continued excellence in educating the next generation of chemical scientists and engineers, and producing pioneering research that benefits society. Help enhance our undergraduate student experience, modernize our teaching and research facilities and equipment, provide greater support to our outstanding graduate students, and attract and retain the very best faculty in the world. chemistry.berkeley.edu/give
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