Biographies and Candidate Statements
Silicon Valley ACS members will receive an email notification soon to cast their votes online. To help you be more informed when you receive this notification, biographies and candidate statements are below. Please also see the duties for each position.
The ballot will include these open positions:
● Chair-Elect (3-year commitment: Chair-elect 2027, Chair in 2028, and Immediate Past Chair in 2029)
● Secretary (2-year term, 2027-2028)
● Councilor (2 open positions for 3-year terms, 2027-2029)
● Alternate Councilor (2 open positions for 3-year terms, 2027-2029)
Chair-Elect
Maria Dulay
Biography
Maria T. Dulay is a Senior Research Scientist and Lab Manager in the DeSimone Group in the Department of Radiology at Stanford University, where she supports interdisciplinary research at the intersection of chemistry, engineering, materials science, nuclear fusion, and medicine. She also serves as Director of Stanford’s Center for STEMM Mentorship, which advances healthy, collaborative research environments through team-based mentorship, leadership development, and shared expectations. She is the interim Director of the Additive Manufacturing & Prototyping Facility at Stanford.
Maria earned her B.A. in Chemistry from Mount Holyoke College and her Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Texas at Austin under Professor Marye Ann Fox. She subsequently joined Stanford as an NIH Postdoctoral Fellow in Prof. Richard N. Zare’s laboratory and was involved in research and leadership positions at Stanford spanning analytical chemistry, materials science, and medicine.
An active member of the American Chemical Society, Maria served on the ACS Committee on Chemists with Disabilities (2018-2025) and currently serves on the Committee on Chemistry and Public Affairs. Her ACS activities included contributions to the 2025 Western Regional Meeting and initiatives promoting accessibility and inclusion in chemistry. Most recently, she helped lead the permanent installation of a tactile Braille periodic table at Stanford in collaboration with ACS, SVACS, and the Center for STEMM Mentorship. Throughout her career, Maria has been committed to advancing science while fostering mentorship, collaboration, accessibility, and meaningful participation within the scientific community.
Candidate Statement
I am honored to be a candidate for Chair-Elect of SVACS, which has a longstanding tradition of advancing chemistry through education, outreach, and professional engagement. I believe we have an exciting opportunity to build upon these strengths and further develop our section as a vibrant, inclusive, and connected scientific community where every member is valued and has opportunities to contribute.
A central priority for me is strengthening membership engagement across generations, particularly by attracting and involving students and early-career scientists while continuing to engage and recognize the contributions of our established members. I would like to expand connections with colleges, universities, research institutions, and industry throughout our region, creating meaningful opportunities for scientific exchange, mentorship, professional development, and outreach. The future of SVACS will be strengthened by the diversity of its members. By welcoming new voices and encouraging meaningful participation, we can broaden our reach, enrich our programs, and cultivate future scientific leaders.
Equally important is continuing to strengthen a collaborative and effective leadership culture that supports shared responsibility, individual imitative, and organizational continuity. I believe that strong leadership requires shared purpose, clear expectations, mutual trust, and opportunities for individuals to take ownership of initiatives. I would encourage members of leadership to champion programs, build volunteer teams, and mentor future leaders. By investing in how we work together, we can sustain our programs and expand their impact for years to come.
Through my work in research leadership, team-based mentorship, and service to ACS, I have seen firsthand how shared purpose, mutual trust, and individual agency can transform the way people work together. When members feel valued, connected, and empowered to participate, they help create a stronger and more sustainable organization. This is the spirit of leadership I hope to bring to SVACS.
I would welcome the opportunity to serve as Chair-Elect and ask for your support.
Secretary
Jigisha Shah
Biography
Jigisha Shah has been active in the Silicon Valley Section of the American Chemical Society since 2016, serving as Secretary and Chair. She has helped lead science outreach and mentoring programs for children, teachers, and students, including Teach-the-Teachers, Pop-Up Chemistry, Monitoring Water Quality, and Paving the Path.
Jigisha works in Regulatory Affairs at Vera Therapeutics, helping guide the development and submission of new medicines. Previously, she taught organic chemistry at San Jose City College. She earned her Ph.D. in Chemistry from Syracuse University and her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Fergusson College in India. In her spare time, she enjoys being with her 12-year-old son and sparking children’s interest in science.
Candidate Statement
The Silicon Valley ACS Section has given me valuable opportunities to connect, learn, and contribute to our chemistry community. Having served as Secretary and Chair, I understand the importance of clear communication, accurate records, and consistent follow-through in keeping our section running smoothly.
I look forward to continuing in the role of Secretary, supporting the Executive Committee, keeping members informed, and making it easier for people to get involved. I also remain committed to our outreach and mentoring efforts and to helping students and early-career chemists build lasting connections within ACS.
Councilor
Natalie McClure
Biography
I am a 50-year member of the American Chemical Society (ACS) and have been actively involved in the organization at the local section level for many years. I have served multiple terms as Section Chair, coordinated the Chemistry Olympiad, and organized numerous chemistry outreach events each year to promote public understanding of chemistry and encourage interest in the sciences.
Professionally, I am a regulatory affairs consultant with extensive experience in drug development in the biopharmaceutical industry. Prior to consulting, I served as Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs and Drug Development at Adamas Pharmaceuticals, where I led the development team responsible for Gocovri, an innovative treatment for Parkinson’s disease. I hold a PhD in Organic Chemistry from Stanford University with Professor Harry Mosher and a BS in Chemistry from the University of Michigan. I began my career at Syntex Research, working in process development laboratories on novel synthetic approaches to prostaglandins and large-scale peptide synthesis. I subsequently transitioned into regulatory affairs, where I built a career spanning drug development, regulatory strategy, and pharmaceutical leadership.
Candidate Statement
I am seeking election to my fourth term as Councilor for the Silicon Valley Section. The ACS Council is the organization’s primary governance body, helping shape its priorities and guide its future direction. I take my responsibilities as Councilor very seriously and am committed to staying informed so I can make thoughtful, well-informed decisions. I have also contributed to ACS through service on several committees, including the Local Section Activities Committee (LSAC) and the Committee on Chemistry and Public Affairs (CCPA). I look forward to continuing this committee work and supporting the ongoing needs and goals of ACS.
I respectfully ask for your vote and support for Councilor for the 2026–2028 term. Thank you for your consideration!
Joseph Monarres
Biography
Joseph Monarres holds a bachelors in Chemical Engineering from Stanford and is currently working at UCSF Mission Bay for the Research Resource Program doing hazardous material handling and inventory management. He led the Alpha Chi Sigma professional chemistry fraternity at Stanford as Vice-President and helped to re-establish the chapter after Covid restrictions were lifted. Joseph is a curious and outgoing person and loves to make connections with people.
Candidate Statement
I am excited to run for the position of Councilor for the ACS Silicon Valley Chapter. I love going to ACS meetings to shake hands and make connections and I love thinking deeply about policy and how it affects our local section and the ACS as a whole. I hope to deepen my relationship with the organization and dutifully represent our chapter in council meetings and elections as an ACS councilor.
Alternate Councilor
Aneelman Brar
Biography and Candidate Statement
For Aneelman Brar, chemistry has never been just about molecules and reactions. It has always been about curiosity, discovery and the excitement of turning questions into experiments! With a PhD in Chemistry and experience spanning academic research, semiconductor technology and education, she brings a unique blend of scientific expertise and enthusiasm for sharing knowledge. Whether it’s solving a challenging scientific problem in the lab or sparking curiosity in young minds, Aneelman believes the real joy of science lies in exploring, experimenting and inspiring others along the way. Beyond the laboratory, she has actively served on various committees since graduate school, discovering that leadership, much like chemistry, is all about finding the right connections, embracing challenges and continuously learning. She looks forward to bringing that same curiosity, energy and collaborative spirit to the ACS community, while helping create opportunities for others to learn, connect and grow.
Amanda Nelson
Biography
Dr. Amanda Nelson is a higher education leader and environmental health and safety specialist based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Holding a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Virginia Tech, she previously served at Stanford University as Chemistry Teaching Laboratory Manager and Chemistry & Chemical Engineering Librarian. Her expertise spans academic laboratory management, scientific research support, safety compliance, and chemical risk management. Dr. Nelson is actively advancing her professional focus toward ASP and CSP qualifications.
Candidate Statement
I am deeply grateful for the support of our Executive Committee and firmly believe in our local section’s role as an accessible and welcoming link that ensures our members feel continuously connected to the broader ACS community. I am seeking your vote for Alternate Councilor of the Silicon Valley Local Section. With a background rooted in academic laboratory management, scientific research, and now chemical safety and health compliance, I am dedicated to serving our vibrant scientific community across the Bay Area. Silicon Valley stands at a unique intersection of academic research, industrial innovation, and emerging technology. I would be honored to represent the Silicon Valley Local Section and support our members.
