Hi, I'm Dawn!
Hello, Dawn Brooks here…thanks for stopping by my page. ACS has been a big part of my science journey, starting with my student affiliate membership at Ohio Northern University. We were a tight-knit group of chemistry majors in a sea of pharmacy and biology students that banded together through our chemistry club. My spark to pursue chemistry came from a beloved high school chemistry teacher, Frida Schieffer, at my Fremont, Ohio large public school. She was the first women in science that I was exposed to that really encouraged the women in her classroom to set their aspirations high! With her support I chose a chemistry major in college to pursue drug development research as a career
aspiration.
From Ohio Northern University and many happy days dabbling in undergraduate research on a small campus, I moved to graduate school at Indiana University to focus on synthetic organic chemistry. At IU, I found a vibrant chemistry department and developed lifelong friendships with my classmates. During graduate school, I became active in the Southern Indiana section of the ACS as a volunteer speaker to high schools in the area. My thesis advisor, David R. Williams fully supportive of women
in chemistry and all were equals in our research group. His enduring guidance in my research on the synthesis of a novel anti-viral agent, along with development of critical thinking and communication skills, helped set the stage for my professional career. Thank you, Dr. Williams!
Eighteen wonderful years of marriage to Brian Tabor, and two amazing daughters- Evelyn (16) and Lillian (11)!
A national ACS meeting (remember the one in Las Vegas?) was the spark for my next step. I presented my organic synthesis results at the ‘Total Synthesis of Natural Products’ symposium, thanks to a Women Chemists Committee/Eli Lilly travel award. At my talk were several senior chemists from Lilly who approach me with an invitation to interview. I joined Eli Lilly and Company in 1998 a few weeks after my PhD dissertation defense and in the blink of an eye, it has been 22 years! I have enjoyed the challenge of developing new medicines for unmet patient needs, particularly focused in Diabetes. While individual roles have varied from initially a bench chemist to research manager to Operations head or clinical development leader, my passion for science has never left.
Throughout the years, I increased my involvement in ACS, first in support of the WCC/Lilly travel award through WCC membership at the national level, then through leadership roles in my local Indiana section. I honestly feel that the skills honed in my volunteer service with ACS sparked the first leadership role I was offered at Lilly. Whether serving as chair of the local or chair of multiple National committees, the ability to bring people together, aspire to tangibly impact our community and constituents, strategically plan then deliver with excellence and communicate the value of science, has translated easily into leadership success at work. Now more than ever, I want to give back to support chemists at all points in their journey. ACS has provided much to me through my journey, and I want to continue to give my energy back toward a strong future for the society. I would be honored for your vote for ACS Board Director-At-Large.
Sincerely,
Dawn Brooks