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