When Passion Meets Real Life: Chemistry at Its Core, Episode 1

This episode kicks off a special Chain Reaction miniseries exploring the American Chemical Society’s core values, beginning with a deep dive into “passion for science.” Miniseries co-host Shane Hanlon interviews former ACS President Judy Giordan, who shares how childhood curiosity about how things work took her from chemistry research to leading innovation teams at companies including Polaroid and PepsiCo. The episode also features chemist Annabelle Lolinco, a AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellow, who reflects on the life circumstances that shaped her career and how she is always finding new things to be passionate about! Together, their stories highlight how curiosity, resilience, and community help sustain a lifelong passion for science.

Related episodes you may enjoy: 

• The Poison Squad and Urinalysis: The Fascinating Lives of ACS Presidents Harvey Wiley and Helen M. Free
• A Conversation with Chemical Kim: Chemistry is Everyone, Episode 4

Transcripts and episode sources at acs.org/chainreaction