The Women’s Chemists Committee of the American Chemical Society has announced the inaugural winners of its Rising Star Awards. The awards which will be given annually, beginning in 2012, will recognize exceptional achievement in chemistry by mid-career professionals.

The 10 winners will receive their awards at the national meeting of the American Chemical Society in San Diego in late March. Of the 10 women who will be honored, one is an African American who is currently affiliated primarily with an academic institution.

Malika Jeffries-El is an assistant professor of chemistry at Iowa State University. Her research focuses on organic synthesis and polymer chemistry with an emphasis on macromolecular design and synthesis. Dr. Jeffries-El is a graduate of Wellesley College. She holds a master’s degree and a Ph.D. from George Washington University.