Voting Period: November 5-15, 2025
Silicon Valley ACS members received an email notification on Nov 5, 2025, to cast their votes online.
To help you be more informed when you receive this notification, a sample ballot is included in this article. See duties for a description of each position. If you have questions about the election process or have technical issues voting, contact support@vote-now.com or connect via live chat during business hours here: https://vtnw.com/chat/
ACS is your Society! Voting in an ACS Election is one of many ways to engage and stay connected. The ability to vote in ACS elections is granted to all ACS regular members who are on standard or premium packages. Excluded from this are members with a basic package.
https://www.acs.org/membership.html
———- Sample Ballot ———-
Chair-Elect (3-year commitment: Chair-elect in 2026, Chair in 2027, and Immediate Past Chair in 2028. VOTE for ONE (1)
- Karan Dikshit
- Write-in ________________________________
Treasurer (2-year term, 2026-2027. Vote for ONE (1)
- Ihab Darwish
- Write-in ________________________________
Councilor (2 open positions for 3-year terms, 2026-2028. Vote for TWO (2)
- Ihab Darwish
- Madalyn Radlauer
- Write-in ________________________________
Alternate Councilor (2 open positions for 3-year terms, 2026-2028. Vote for TWO (2)
- Maria Dulay
- Maureen Scharberg
- Write-in ________________________________
Biographies and Statements for Candidates
Chair-Elect
Karan Dikshit
Biography: Greetings, ACS Silicon Valley! I am a materials engineer at FLO Materials, a startup company trying to solve the plastics pollution problem by creating infinitely recyclable polymer formulations. I obtained my BS in polymer engineering from the University of Pune, India and PhD in materials science and engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder. I first came to the Bay Area for an internship at Carbon in Redwood City and I enjoyed my time so much that I decided to return to the area upon completion of my PhD in the summer of 2022. At CU Boulder I worked with Dr. Carson J. Bruns – who co-authored the book on the mechanical bond with 2016 Chemistry Nobel Laureate Sir J. Fraser Stoddart – on chemical modifications of polyrotaxanes. Gaining fundamental insights into how chemistry plays a role in thermal and mechanical properties of polymers has trained me to create polymers and plastic formulations with desired properties. I have applied this knowledge to advance the technology at a few companies in the Bay Area – Carbon, TE Connectivity, FLO Materials – and will continue contributing to the chemical sciences. Outside of work, I enjoy hiking and racquet sports and I’m always on the lookout for people who share the same interests.
Statement: I would be honored to serve the ACS Silicon Valley chapter as Chair Elect. SVACS has made it possible for people from diverse backgrounds to network and socialize while also providing a platform for chemistry outreach. As an early career professional, I believe I can help steer efforts to ensure younger chemists are more active in the section. I will also initiate efforts to connect with other local groups such as the Society of Plastics Engineers to provide more networking opportunities for early and mid-career scientists and engineers.
Treasurer and Councilor
Ihab Darwish
Biography: Ihab S. Darwish received his BS degree in chemistry from SUNY/Old Westbury and his MS and PhD degrees in Organic Chemistry from Princeton University. After a two-year postdoctoral appointment with Professor Marvin J. Miller, he joined Seattle-based Pathogenesis, a startup focusing on chronic infectious diseases. Shortly thereafter, he joined Darwin Molecular/Chiroscience/Celltech where he developed chemical libraries focusing on autoimmune diseases. In 2002, Dr. Darwish moved to the Bay Area and joined Rigel Pharmaceuticals where he worked as a medicinal chemist focusing on the development of novel, small molecule therapeutics for the treatment of viral diseases, metabolic disorders, immuno-oncology as well as oncology. In August 2021, Dr. Darwish joined Nuvation Bio, a biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutic candidates tackling unmet needs in oncology. Dr. Darwish joined the Silicon Valley Section upon moving to the Bay Area and accepted an appointment as an Alternate Councilor in August of 2005. In 2006 and again in 2009, he was elected to three-year terms as Alternate Councilor and was appointed Treasurer of the Section in June of 2009. In 2010, Dr. Darwish was elected as the Section Treasurer and has served in that capacity since then.
Statement: I am hopeful you will provide me with the opportunity to continue to serve as Treasurer and Councilor of ACS/Silicon Valley Local Section. I joined the American Chemical Society early on in my career and have enjoyed various benefits the Society offers. As Treasurer, I will continue to ensure our Local Section has the funds to carry out the Section’s stated goals and objectives. If elected, I will continue to support existing programs and explore new policies that would enhance our Local Section’s efficiency and help navigate our Section through various economic cycles. I am pleased with my record.
Councilor
Madalyn R. Radlauer
Biography: Hello ACS Silicon Valley! In August of 2017, I joined the faculty of the San José State University (SJSU) Chemistry Department where I am now an Associate Professor. Originally from New Orleans, LA, I first came to the Bay Area for my undergraduate studies in Chemistry at Stanford University where I worked in the laboratory of Prof. Robert Waymouth. During my doctoral studies at Caltech with Prof. Theodor Agapie, I synthesized bimetallic polymerization catalysts and studied mechanism and the effects of proximity. After finishing my PhD in 2014, I moved to Minneapolis, MN (yes, it was cold) and completed a 3-year postdoctoral position with Prof. Marc Hillmyer at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities where I was a Dreyfus Environmental Chemistry Fellow. During these three years, in addition to research about polymeric materials, I was the co-lead for the Women in Science and Engineering Initiative.
Back in the Bay Area, I work at SJSU where I teach inorganic, polymer, and analytical chemistry and lead a group of undergraduates and Master’s students working to catalyze challenging reactions relevant to human health and fuel production using a combination of organometallic and inorganic catalysts and polymeric frameworks and studying ways to get more consistent results in catalysis trials. In 2018 and 2019 I served as an Alternate Councilor and since 2020 I have served as a Councilor with the Silicon Valley ACS Local Section. I have been active in a number of committees, leading our strategic planning efforts as well as the Paving the Path Initiative (the latter of which has won our section 2 ChemLuminary Awards) and most recently serving as the Undergraduate Programming Chair for the ACS Western Regional Meeting which was co-sponsored by our section. I have also served on the national Women Chemists Committee (WCC) since 2021 and as the WCC Representative on the ACS Inclusion and Belonging Roundtable.
Brief Statement: Joining the leadership of the Silicon Valley ACS Section has been a great way for me to be connected to the local chemistry community. I have enjoyed opportunities to partner with various Bay Area groups and institutions, especially working with a large number of local community colleges for the Paving the Path programs. Recently, the bulk of my local involvement revolved around the ACS Western Regional Meeting that took place in San Jose October 25th-29th, 2025. It was exciting for a large group of chemists from our region to join us at the meeting. I look forward to continuing to serve the local ACS and to be a representative of our section at both the national ACS level as well as in our community.
Alternate Councilor
Maria Theresa Dulay
Maria Dulay is a distinguished Physical Science Research Associate in the Department of Chemistry at Stanford University, where she works in the world-renowned laboratory of Professor Richard N. Zare. Her background in physical and analytical chemistry, coupled with her dedication to translating fundamental science into practical applications, makes her a valuable voice for the Silicon Valley chemical community.
Scientific Expertise
Dr. Dulay’s research is at the cutting edge of nanoscale chemical analysis and ambient ionization mass spectrometry. A major focus of her work involves the development of novel organosiloxane (OSX) polymers. She has pioneered the use of these custom-designed materials as sample supports and ionization emitters for rapid, high-throughput analysis of complex biological mixtures.
Her key contributions include:
- Rapid Drug Detection: Developing “polymer-spray” mass spectrometry (PolyS-MS) for the quick and sensitive detection of drugs and narcotics in biofluids like urine, significantly enhancing speed and accuracy in analytical testing.
- Pathogen Detection: Creating selective biosensors based on pathogen-imprinted polymers for the early and specific detection of bacteria like E. coli.
- Microdroplet Chemistry: Contributing to research on the unusual chemical properties of water microdroplets, including their role in generating hydrogen peroxide and acting as a disinfectant.
Commitment to the Community
Beyond the laboratory, Dr. Dulay is deeply committed to ensuring an inclusive and supportive scientific environment. She holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Texas at Austin and completed her NIH Postdoctoral Fellowship at Stanford. She is also a recognized advocate for accessibility in the sciences, having actively participated in events sponsored by the ACS Chemists with Disabilities Committee to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect in the field.
Maureen A. Scharberg
Biography: Dr. Maureen A. Scharberg is a chemist and educator whose career has focused on advancing student success and innovation in chemical education. She earned her Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of California, Davis, following earning two Bachelor of Science degrees in Chemistry and Biological Sciences from UC Irvine. Her doctoral research in bioinorganic chemistry established a strong foundation for her later work at the intersection of chemistry, education, and institutional transformation.
Over more than three decades, Dr. Scharberg has held faculty and leadership positions at San José State University (SJSU) and Cal State East Bay (CSUEB), where she is currently Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry. Her teaching spans general, organic, and bioinorganic chemistry, and she has pioneered active-learning pedagogies such as Process-Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning (POGIL) and problem- based instruction. At Cal State East Bay, she has developed and taught innovative interdisciplinary courses including Basic Chemistry for Health Sciences (for pre-nursing students) and Chemistry of Spices, which connects spice chemistry to sustainability and everyday life.
Her research and publications emphasize chemistry curriculum reform, student-centered learning, and pedagogical development for future chemists and educators. She has co-authored works in the Journal of Chemical Education and contributed to the Handbook of College Science Teaching. She was also an integral contributor to the ACS textbook publication of Chemistry. Her early research scientific contributions include studies on metalloproteins and astrochemical organic synthesis published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society and Astrophysical Journal.
Dr. Scharberg has secured over $15 million in external grants from agencies such as the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Education to support chemistry education, student retention, and STEM equity initiatives. Recognized for her mentorship and leadership, she has received the Ottenberg Award from the American Chemical Society, the Ellen Weaver Award for Mentoring Women in Science, and designation as a Fulbright Specialist (2023–2026).
Through her teaching, research, and service to the American Chemical Society, Dr. Scharberg continues to shape the future of chemical education by integrating undergraduate chemistry curriculum with inclusive, research-based pedagogy and a commitment to all student success in chemistry.
Statement: After taking a long leave from service to the American Chemical Society due to my administrative opportunities in higher education at both San José State and Cal State East Bay, I seek to return to volunteering with the SVACS as an Alternate Councilor. Many moons ago, I served SVACS as a Councilor as well as Chair of SVACS in 2003. As my career trajectory took me to some awesome higher education administrative opportunities to lead student success initiatives and systemic change, I stepped down from my service to ACS. About three years ago, I made the decision to return to faculty after 18 years as an administrator and jump back into teaching chemistry and chemical education research. I also decided to return to serving ACS, both locally and nationally. Nationally, I am now a member of the Division of Chemical Education’s Board of Publications and just led and successfully completed a recruitment for their next Chem Ed Xchange Editor (https://www.chemedx.org/). I hope that you will support my election bid as your Alternate Councilor for SVACS as I seek to support SVACS again.
