American Chemical Society honors UAF professor

July 6, 2016

Chemistry Professor Larry Duffy poses with award from the American Chemical Society.

The American Chemical Society recently honored a University of Alaska Fairbanks chemistry professor for advancing diversity and promoting inclusiveness in the chemical sciences.

Larry Duffy received the Stanley C. Israel Regional Award at the 71st Northwest Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society in Anchorage, June 26-29. The award includes a medal and a $1,000 grant. The meeting was co-sponsored by the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Duffy said he is honored to receive the award for efforts aimed at increasing diversity in education and career pathways related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

“In an increasingly technological world, a diverse workforce brings different cultural perspectives and world views, which improves society's ability to find solutions,” he said.

Since joining UAF in 1987, Duffy has led many programs that aim to increase diversity in the sciences. He is currently a principal investigator of the Resilience and Adaptation in Environmental and Natural Sciences program. It engages diverse undergraduates with demonstrated financial need in the environmental and natural resources.

During the summer, Duffy teaches chemistry and biochemistry to rural students in UAF’s Rural Alaska Honors Institute. He also provides chemistry outreach programs to high school and middle school students across the state, especially in rural communities.

Duffy has received other awards for his work in increasing diversity in the sciences. He received the University of Alaska Chancellor’s Diversity Award, in 2011. The National Institute of Deafness and Communications Disorders awarded Duffy the Minority Research Mentoring Award in 1996.