Dear FECS community,
Congratulations to Dr. Luis R. De Jesús Báez on winning the 2024 FECS Diversity & Inclusion Award!
Dr. De Jesús Báez is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University at Buffalo – SUNY. A first-generation college graduate from rural Puerto Rico, Dr. De Jesús Báez has worked extensively to support and create opportunities for students from underrepresented backgrounds. His efforts include initiating a program connecting students from the University of Puerto Rico Cayey to REU and graduate opportunities at Texas A&M University and growing it include other top universities across the country. He has consistently created space to highlight the work of scientists from underrepresented backgrounds, including when elected to chair a Gordon Research Seminar, through creating an NSF-supported research symposium, and as co-PI of a Sloan Foundation pathways grant.
Please join me in congratulating Dr. De Jesús Báez. Thank you to him and to each of you for your work making our community a more inclusive space.