Dear members,

As we reflect on the past year, I would like to begin by thanking Jackie and Max for their outstanding leadership. Their dedication and accomplishments have set a high bar for our committee, and I am grateful for the strong foundation they have built.

My name is Jiyue Chen, and I received my PhD in Chemistry and Biochemistry from UC San Diego in 2024. My journey with ACS San Diego began about two years ago, when several Executive Committee members hosted a career panel on the UCSD campus. At the time, I was uncertain about my next steps and signed up seeking guidance. That event introduced me to many wonderful colleagues and mentors, and it marked the beginning of my involvement with ACS. Since then, I have regularly attended EC meetings and steadily increased my engagement.

My first experience organizing an ACS event was a career panel in May 2024. That event took

place during a challenging period for our local scientific community and for me personally, as I

was nearing the end of my PhD and navigating my own career transition. Through ACS, I found not only professional support but also a true sense of community. That experience motivated me to continue serving, strengthening, and expanding this network for others.

In 2024, I had the privilege of serving ACS San Diego as a volunteer and as Chair of the Women Chemists Committee. I was deeply honored to receive the Tony Bottone Volunteer Award. Volunteering has been incredibly meaningful to me. It has connected me to a broader professional community and provided purpose beyond my day-to-day work. With encouragement from fellow Executive Committee members, I stepped into a leadership role as Chair-Elect, and I am grateful for the trust placed in me and for the supportive environment that enables students and early-career professionals to grow into leadership positions.

In 2025, with the support of Myra, Marta, Christina, and Grace, we revitalized the Women

Chemists Committee and launched the inaugural Trailblazer Women Chemist Award. Together, we developed the program from the ground up, from podcasting and nominations to awardee selection and the award ceremony. We are thankful to ACS San Diego for providing the platform and resources to make this possible. Moving forward, we will continue to highlight individual awardees in upcoming newsletters and encourage their ongoing involvement in the ACS community. We are also planning a Women Chemists career panel in Spring 2026, along with additional creative subcommittee events.

Looking ahead to my term in 2026, I am excited to focus on three key priorities. First, we aim to strengthen engagement with industry by inviting industry speakers to career panels and webinars and by collaborating with local professional organizations such as SABPA. Second, we will continue developing and supporting sub-communities, including the Women Chemists Committee, Young Chemists Committee, Career Development Committee, and Retired Chemists Committee. Finally, while maintaining our signature events, we will explore new and creative programming to better serve our diverse membership.

Thank you again for your trust, encouragement, and support. I am truly honored to serve and

look forward to working together to continue building a vibrant and inclusive ACS San Diego

community.

Regards,

Jiyue Chen

San Diego ACS Local Section Chair