Sandia National Laboratories materials scientist Dorina Sava Gallis has received the 2024 Women Chemists Committee Rising Star Award from the American Chemical Society. Gallis, known for her expertise in nanoporous materials and her innovative contributions to various fields, expressed gratitude for the recognition and highlighted the importance of collaboration in solving national security challenges. Gallis, who holds numerous patents and has authored numerous publications, emphasized the significance of her work not only for national security but also for the broader material science community and its commercial potential.
Throughout her career, Gallis has demonstrated a passion for building multidisciplinary research teams and has excelled in technology transfer and commercialization efforts. Reflecting on her academic journey from a materials science and engineering bachelor's degree to pursuing a doctorate in chemistry, Gallis emphasized the transformative impact of her graduate school experience in shaping her as a scientific researcher. She described herself as a materials scientist with interdisciplinary training, acknowledging the influence of her mentors and colleagues on her successful projects.
"I'm really proud of this award," Gallis said, noting the significance of being the first Sandia Laboratories scientist to receive this prestigious recognition. The Women Chemists Committee of the American Chemical Society, established in 1927 to support women chemists, aims to promote women in the chemical sciences and provide a platform for addressing women's issues in the field. The Women Chemists Committee Rising Star Award, open to ACS members in chemistry and chemical engineering across various sectors, acknowledges individuals demonstrating exceptional promise and excellence in their contributions to the field.