Chain Reaction by ACS

You’ve likely relied on a drug at one point or another, whether it be a prescribed medication or something over the counter. The upcoming miniseries of Chain Reaction explores the history, impact, and future of major drug classes, including antibiotics, birth control, antidepressants, and GLP-1s. Margot and Sam will chat with experts about the history and scientific breakthroughs behind these medicines and the ongoing research that could shape the next generation of drugs. 

Transcripts and episode sources at acs.org/chainreaction

This bonus episode continues the celebration of the American Chemical Society’s 150th anniversary by spotlighting two remarkable ACS presidents whose work helped shape public health in very different ways. Hosts Margot and Shane trade stories about these pioneering chemists. 

Harvey Wiley, ACS president in the 1890s, investigated dangerous food additives like formaldehyde and borax and presided over the infamous “Poison Squad” experiments. He was part of the impetus behind the “Wiley Act,” also known as the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906. 

Helen M. Free, ACS president in the 1990s, transformed urinalysis diagnostics, co-inventing the first glucose test and countless other tests. Free’s innovations made health monitoring more accessible for millions of people and her legacy continues through the ACS award that bears her name. Learn more and send in your nominations here. 

Transcripts and episode sources at acs.org/chainreaction

To cap off this special #ACS150 miniseries, we chat with chemistry educator, science communicator, and social media creator Kim Hilton — better known as Chemical Kim (follow @chemicalkim).

Kim reflects on her unexpected path into teaching, from struggling to understand chemistry as a college student to becoming a professor who has spent three decades helping others discover their place in STEM. The conversation explores Kim’s passion for outreach, from creating hands-on science experiences for children in hospitals and community programs to building an online audience that spans generations. Along the way, Kim explains why making chemistry accessible is not the same as making it easier, and why educators must meet learners where they are to help them succeed.

Transcripts and episode sources at acs.org/chainreaction

Space is the place . . . for chemistry! ACS president-elect Chris Bodurow and three colleagues chat about the role of chemistry in space exploration and how they ended up working in such an exciting field. Luke Roberson, Ken Savin, and George Rodriguez highlight the expanding space industry, the technologies that chemistry has enabled in space, and how chemistry might change the industry in the future by, for instance, enabling long-term life-support systems. Across all conversations, one thing becomes clear: Chemistry is enabling humanity to explore, live, and innovate in space.

Transcripts and episode sources at acs.org/chainreaction

ACS president Rigoberto Hernandez invites colleagues to speak about mentorship, communication, and the human side of science. One of Rigoberto’s former students, Ashley Ringer McDonald, talks about the power of multi-directional mentorship and the importance of nurturing growth and confidence in students. Michelle Francl and Rigoberto discuss the evolving role of theoretical chemistry, the need to balance basic and applied research, and the importance of communicating science in accessible, engaging ways. The episode closes with Angel Martí, who reflects on inclusive mentoring, community-building, and creating a sense of belonging to retain diverse talent in STEM. Across these conversations, a central theme emerges: science is fundamentally a human endeavor shaped by relationships, communication, and shared curiosity. 

Transcripts and episode sources at acs.org/chainreaction

This episode of Chain Reaction launches a special series celebrating the American Chemical Society’s 150th anniversary. Immediate past president, Dorothy Phillips, interviews three chemists whose journeys emphasize resilience, representation, and inclusion. Cary Supalo, a blind chemist, describes overcoming barriers in education and research by developing collaborative techniques and accessible technologies that allow visually impaired scientists to participate fully in chemistry. Zemen Berhe, a refugee and first-generation scholar, reflects on the importance of representation and mentorship in shaping her path to becoming a professor and supporting underrepresented students. Simon Shannon shares his transition from bench chemistry to business leadership at 3M, highlighting the value of interdisciplinary skills and diverse perspectives. Throughout, the episode underscores how mentorship, community, and increased access can help broaden participation in STEM and ensure that chemistry truly belongs to everyone.

Transcripts and episode sources at acs.org/chainreaction

In celebration of the 150th anniversary of the American Chemical Society, our upcoming miniseries features the past, present, and future presidents of ACS in conversation with colleagues about topics they’re passionate about, including mentorship, representation, and … space! 

Transcripts and episode sources at acs.org/chainreaction

In the inaugural “From the Cutting Room Floor” — where we take parts of interviews that didn’t quite fit in our regular episodes — we talk about anthrax. Well not exactly… we talk about what happens with the chemicals that we use to kill anthrax. In 2001, some high profile people like news anchors and senators received mail laced with anthrax — a spore-forming bacteria that can be deadly. Afterwards, there were many spaces that had to be decontaminated. And Richard Corsi was tapped to study these decontaminants. How did they interact with indoor spaces? Where did they go? How long did they last for? When was it safe for people to return to these spaces? It was a multi-year study that helped explain why sometimes the spaces deemed safe after decontamination still caused harm. 

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Transcripts and episode sources at acs.org/chainreaction

Pollution is only one way humans are altering our planet. There’s climate change, sea level rise, biodiversity loss, and much more. Earth system scientists, including biological oceanographer Katherine Richardson, developed the nine planetary boundaries, a framework to understand what Earth systems are critical for life, and what will happen if human-caused changes to our planet continue. Katherine unpacks these boundaries, revealing how chemistry sits at the heart of both the problems and solutions to the equilibrium of many of these critical systems. It’s a sobering yet hopeful look at humanity’s future on a finite planet. 

Transcripts and episode sources at acs.org/chainreaction

Water and air pollution may capture the headlines, but there’s another threat looming beneath our feet: soil. We farm on it, build cities on it, and pull water from it. But pollutants from industrial waste, mining, and trash settle in soil, wreaking havoc on existing ecosystems and threatening our food and water supply. Soil and environmental chemist Owen Duckworth shares how chemists study soil, the unique qualities of soil pollutants, and the role chemists play in protecting public health. 

After understanding what’s polluting our soil, then comes the difficult task of cleaning up those pollutants. Biogeochemist William Burgos discusses the little known world of soil remediation, including storing waste in landfills or allowing adaptable microbes to slowly remediate pollutants on their own. This episode transports you to the Superfund sites, old mining caves, and acid pits where waste hides away, and reveals chemistry’s role in understanding — and fixing — soil pollution. 

Transcripts and episode sources at acs.org/chainreaction