On ACA Leadership

By:  Christopher Cahill | Department of Chemistry | The George Washington University

What a thrill to be asked to share a few thoughts on leadership with the ACA community. In some respects, ACA provided me with my first ‘official’ leadership opportunity when I was elected to Council as Vice President in 2014. I had been leading a research group for about 15 years at that point, yet that was a very different experience, for sure. I felt drawn to the opportunity- ACA had been my scientific home for years, and some committee work had whetted my appetite for deeper engagement. I also felt that the ACA was then at a bit of a critical crossroads, and that I could contribute to re-tooling some aspects of operations. I was not explicitly aware of this at the time, but it turns out a strength that I have is to recognize the interconnected nature of challenges and opportunities, and to recognize what is important to a diverse group of stakeholders. As my leadership journey has continued, now to include Chemistry Department Chair for the past six years, I find that recognizing and acknowledging what is important to people, and then advocating for that within institutional constructs is rewarding and provides a wonderful sense of purpose.

As my career and experiences continue to evolve, I find myself feeling even more drawn to leadership and mentorship opportunities. My own interests have diverted away from the lab bench, and I enjoy living vicariously through my students, or through the junior faculty I am supporting. My predecessor in the Chair position at GW would always say ‘Your success is my success.’ And I could not agree more. Lately, I am most excited about helping create the infrastructure for others to do their best work, and I am motivated towards making processes and operations function more smoothly- it’s funny how the definition of a ‘win’ changes over time!

To Our Members and the Scientific Community:

As the leadership of the American Crystallographic Association (ACA), we remain steadfast in our commitment to the core values that define our organization: scientific excellence, integrity, inclusivity, and the free exchange of knowledge. In light of ongoing changes and challenges, we reaffirm our dedication to fostering an environment where science thrives, diverse perspectives are valued, and the highest standards of research and collaboration are upheld.

In Memoriam: George M. Sheldrick (1942–2025)

It is with profound sadness that the scientific community announces the passing of George M. Sheldrick, a pioneering crystallographer whose innovative contributions have left an indelible mark on the world of science. Born in 1942, George dedicated his career to advancing the field of crystallography, transforming the way scientists determine and understand molecular structures.

A Trailblazer in Crystallography

George’s groundbreaking work, most notably his development of the SHELX suite of programs, revolutionized crystal structure analysis. His methods brought unprecedented precision and efficiency to the field, empowering researchers across chemistry, biology, and materials science. Over decades, his innovations not only enriched academic research but also had practical applications in pharmaceuticals, nanotechnology, and beyond.

Spring is coming soon! Every year, on the 1st of April, the ACA collects nominations for its Fellows program. When I was elected a 2021 ACA Fellow, to be honest, I hadn’t put much thought into why professional organizations bother to make such distinctions. Certainly, being elected a Fellow is an honor and welcome recognition for any individual, but why do we, the ACA, The Structural Science Society, promote this type of recognition?

The professional world abounds with awards and honors designed to highlight specific scientific achievements, but the Fellows program is different. ACA Fellows are characterized as "scientific ambassadors" serving to advance the much broader goals of "scientific education, research, knowledge, interaction, and collaboration." Back when I was a student, my first inkling that science was more than just a single person "making discoveries" came when I started to realize that I needed collaborators. It was years before I fully appreciated all the elements that are required for science to advance and I'm still learning. Science is far more collaborative than I expected: experts with complementary skills must connect and build mutually beneficial relationships. New techniques need to be popularized and made accessible. Complex discoveries need to be communicated clearly and compellingly to engage the public and persuade policymakers of the value of long-term investments in science and education, despite their difficult-to-measure impact. Young scientists need opportunities to participate in and become part of a community ... and to understand the value of doing so.