The Protactinium Chapter of Iota Sigma Pi was installed on February 7, 2025. Protactinium was discovered by chemist Lise Meitner, who played a pivotal role in co-developing the theory of nuclear fission yet was not recognized for her contributions. Notably, Meitner was one of the few scientists who refused to work on the Manhattan Project. Our chapter brings together women and nonbinary scientists in academia and industry across the Lehigh Valley metropolitan area. Currently, 17 members have been initiated.
For far too long, groundbreaking scientific contributions have been overlooked due to biases related to race, gender, sexual orientation, and more. We believe in fostering an inclusive and supportive scientific community where all ideas are valued. The Protactinium Chapter is dedicated to upholding the core values of Iota Sigma Pi—recognizing excellence, building strong mentorship networks, and ensuring equal opportunities for women and nonbinary scientists.
This year, we plan on hosting a Research Poster Session that prepares students for the ACS Spring Conference. We will also engage with middle school students in hands-on chemistry activities while promoting interest in higher education and STEM fields. In the fall, we plan on helping members design competitive applications for internships, jobs, and graduate programs through expert guidance and peer review. We will do this by hosting a Resumé and CV Workshop. There will also be a Career Panel to showcase diverse career paths in chemistry while providing a platform to connect with professionals and fellow scientists.
We look forward to continuing to grow our community and are grateful to be part of this milestone moment.
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