Judith Summers-Gates was elected as an ACS Fellow on the basis of her dedication to science and dedication to serving the American Chemical Society, at both the Local Section and National levels. Judy received a BS in unified science (biology, chemistry, physics) from Drexel University (1990).

Judy started her career at the Department of Defense’s Personnel Support Center as a Physical Science Technician performing physical and chemical testing on virtually every commodity used by the Armed Forces and their dependents. In 1990 she moved to the Food and Drug Administration in Philadelphia, PA where she was an analytical chemist. She distinguished herself as an expert in the isolation and identification of colorants and additives in foods, drugs, cosmetics and medical products. She retired from the FDA in 2014.

In the Philadelphia Local Section some of the offices Judy has held are: Chair-elect (2009); Chair (2010); Past-Chair (2011); Board of Directors (2002-present); Communications Committee (2004-2014); National Chemistry Week Coordinator (2006-2014); PAGESTM (Philadelphia Area Girls Enjoying Science) classroom presenter (2005-2014); National Meeting Hospitality Committee (2004); ACS Peer Mentor (2000-2014); Mentor to ACS Scholar/Project SEED Student; ACS Speakers Bureau presentations (2002-2014). She served as Board Member of the Delaware Valley Science Council (2002-2010).

Judy’s participation at the national level are: Councilor (2010-2012); Alternate Councilor (2004-2009, 2013-2015); Member of the Analytical Chemistry and Professional Relations Technical Divisions; Member of the Committee on Chemists with Disabilities (CWD) (1996-present, Chair (2000-2005, 2009-2011); CWD Liaison to Committee on Minority Affairs and Committee on Community Activities; Member of Joint Subcommittee on Diversity (2005-2012); Member of ACS Presidential Task Force on Implementing the ACS Diversity Reports (2010); Program Review and Advisory Group (2009); and Member of the US Committee for International Year of Chemistry (2011).

The following are some of the awards that have been presented to Judy: George Washington Carver Award for promoting science education (2012); Food and Drug Administration Commissioner’s Citation (2007); National Louis Braille Award for Service to the Visually Impaired (2005); Food and Drug Administration National Award for EEO Activities (2000); and American Association for the Advancement of Science Resource Directory of Scientists and Engineers with Disabilities (1979-present).

Each year the George Washington Carver and Delaware Valley Science Fairs are held in Philadelphia for grades 4-12. For many years Judy has been a judge at these fairs.

On the ACS website for the 2014 list of ACS Fellows Judy has stated her contribution to the science profession: “Performed extensive peer mentoring and advocacy for under-represented groups in STEM from 1996 to 2014.” Her comment about contribution to the ACS community is “Served as a member of the Chemists with Disabilities Committee since 1996 and as its Chair for nine years. Served as a Councilor, Chair, and Board member of the Philadelphia Local Section and as a member of the ACS Presidential Task Force on Implementing CPT’s Diversity Reports.”

The above is good indication of why Judy was chosen as one of the 2014 ACS Fellows.