Future Leaders Testimonials

Alumni Testimonials

"Participating in the CAS Future Leaders program taught me the importance of being intentional with my leadership across various platforms. In the weeks that I spent in the program, it provided me with versatile tools to grow and become an impactful leader. It was truly a transformative experience."
—Mahlet Garedew (2019), C&EN

"You will start the intense training with a broad range of chemists and chemical engineers from all over the world, learning all the skills needed to become a future leader, from storytelling to policy to the use of social media. You will end the program as family, with all the skills needed to lead by example."
—Dannie van Osch (2019), C&EN

"Beyond learning life lessons and skills from top leaders in the chemical industry, participating in Future Leaders gave me the opportunity to connect with inspiring scientists from all over the world, creating strong friendships with remarkable individuals who continue to be a source of support and motivation long after finishing the program."
—César A. Urbina-Blanco (2018), C&EN

"Now, looking back, it's hard to believe that I thought I was bonkers for applying. Networking may be 9-to-5, but the chemistry of CAS Future Leaders is for real."
—Lučka Bibič (2018), CAS Blog

"For a group of young scientists, strangers to one another, working in such diverse areas of chemical sciences, we connected on a level that no one had ever expected."
—Felicia Lim (2018), CAS Blog

"The CAS Future Leaders program not only changed my life, it also paved the way for so many more good things."
—Magaret Sivapragasam (2017), CAS Blog

"While I learned a lot about innovation and science communication, I also made many new friends from around the world. The CAS Future Leaders program provided a great platform of exchange that I have never experienced before."
—Torsten John (2017), C&EN

"I have always enjoyed visiting companies and experiencing what they do behind the scenes to make things possible. What I appreciate the most about visiting the Columbus office is how transparent its staff are in sharing about their work, thoughts, and future directions of the company."
—Andy Tay (2017), ACS Axial

"The CAS Future Leaders program is an experience that empowers emerging scientists across the globe by valuing different experiences and backgrounds. It’s unlike any other event I have participated in."
—Manuela Jörg (2015), C&EN

"Being part of the Future Leaders transforms your life. You never forget the moment you get that email from CAS. But more importantly, you never forget the people you meet during the program."
—Fernando Gomollon Bel (2014), CAS Blog

"There is a good camaraderie among the CAS Future Leaders, and we are global. Joining this cohort helped me realize that I could also be worldly in my career."
—Ben Naman (2014), CAS Blog

"We tap into each other’s diverse chemical backgrounds, support each other’s unique endeavors, and celebrate successes, both in the lab and out."
—H. Rachel Lagiakos (2012), C&EN

Back

Alumni Articles and Videos

【神回】化学系博士で日本代表に?CAS Future Leaders2023メンバーに選抜されました!!! (YouTube) Hirogi Yokochi (2023)
10 Reasons Early-Career Chemists should Apply to be a CAS Future Leader (The Chesapeake Chemist) Olivia Wilkins (2022)
Applying to the CAS Future Leaders program: Tips for writing the essay (The Sky Is Not The Limit) Olivia Wilkins (2022)
The 2023 CAS Future Leaders Program (The Sky Is Not The Limit) Olivia Wilkins (2022)
To Columbus, OH, as a CAS Future Leader (The Sky Is Not The Limit) Olivia Wilkins (2022)
What is Scientific Leadership? (YouTube) Fun Man Fung (2020)
What would you say to a wonderful human being? (YouTube) Fun Man Fung (2020)
CAS Future Leaders at the ACS Spring 2022 "Bonding Through Chemistry" (YouTube) Fun Man Fung (2020)
How Early-Career Scientists Responded with Resiliency to the Space Created by the COVID-19 Pandemic (ACS Central Science) 2020 CAS Future Leaders
The Future of Scientific Leadership is Interdisciplinary: The 2019 CAS Future Leaders Share Their Vision (iScience) 2019 CAS Future Leaders
Lessons From Inspirational Women in STEM: “My biggest piece of advice is to never underestimate yourself” with Arianne Hunter, Ph.D. (Authority Magazine) Arianne Hunter (2019)
Lessons from Inspirational Women in STEM: “It’s incredibly important to learn to fail” with Vanessa Sanchez and Penny Bauder (Authority Magazine) Vanessa Sanchez (2019) and Penny Bauder
Future is Wow: 2 STEM Leaders Offer Inspiration, Advice In Sciences (Take The Lead) Michele Weldon
Networking in Academia: Necessary Evil or Essential Good? (ACS Axial) Lučka Bibič and César A. Urbina-Blanco (2018)
The importance of celebrating diversity in STEMM (CAS Blog) Manuela Jörg (2015)
CAS Future Leaders: Thirty scientists, an umbrella and Beyoncé (CAS Blog) Lučka Bibič (2018)
Beating the Ph.D. Blues (ACS Axial) Nicola Bell (2017)
Science is Global: Why Diversity Triumphs Over Adversity (ACS Axial) Craig Fraser (2017)
Scientists Must Challenge the Status Quo (ACS Axial) Torsten John (2017)
Looking at Latin America’s Challenges in Innovation and STEM Education (ACS Axial) Gabriela Gonzalez (2017)
Quotable Lessons in Science Leadership (ACS Axial) Marc Reid (2017)
5 Assumptions You Need to Drop Before a Job Search (ACS Axial) Marc Reid (2017)
Exploring the Impact of Leadership Skills on Research (ACS Axial) Magaret Sivapragasam (2017)
The SciFinder Future Leaders Experience: Behind the Scenes at CAS (ACS Axial) Andy Tay (2017)
The SciFinder Future Leaders Experience: A Diverse Family (ACS Axial) Andy Tay (2017)
Getting a Ph.D. with a Chance of Heavy Winds and Rain (ACS Axial) Juan C. Aponte-Santini (2016)
What a Time to Be a Scientist! (ACS Axial) Vincent Blay Roger (2016)
Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone: Making The Most of Your PhD (ACS Axial) Emma Durham (2016)
What Will Science Communication Look Like a Decade from Now? (ACS Axial) Suzanne Jansze (2016)
Embracing Diversity to Drive Chemical Innovation (ACS Axial) Melanie Lui (2016)
From student to startup: 3 things I learned (CAS Blog) Stafford Sheehan (2015)