Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Michelle Brann @michellebrann.bsky.social · 16d

My first paper with the Öberg astrochemistry group! In laboratory ice experiments, we find that oxygen atoms react with methyl cyanide to form methyl isocyanate. This work sheds light on chemical evolution in space & the origins of life’s building blocks.
doi.org/10.3847/1538...

Methyl Isocyanate Formation from Oxygen Insertion in Methyl Cyanide Ices - IOPscience

Methyl Isocyanate Formation from Oxygen Insertion in Methyl Cyanide Ices, Brann, Michelle R., Rajappan, Mahesh, Öberg, Karin I.

doi.org

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Reposted by Michelle Brann

Krystal Vasquez @kvasquez.bsky.social · 23d

"When we design tools that welcome different ways of sensing and thinking, we open new reaction pathways for discovery. Inclusive design doesn’t just widen participation; it expands the very structure-function relationship of science itself."

cen.acs.org/careers/dive...

The tools we build become the questions we ask

Why inclusive design is good for more than access—it expands the boundaries of discovery

cen.acs.org

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Reposted by Michelle Brann

ACS Division of Professional Relations @acsprof.bsky.social · 25d

Are you an early career chemical scientist ready to kickstart or hone your leadership skills? Apply to PROF's Leadership Development Award! held in Altanta GA, January 31 - February 2, 2026
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Learn more and apply at tinyurl.com/ACS-PROF-LDI. Questions can be directed to [email protected].

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Michelle Brann @michellebrann.bsky.social · 28d

Thank you so much!

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Michelle Brann @michellebrann.bsky.social · 29d

Huge thank you to @rescorp.org and @jenheemstra.bsky.social for the signed copy of Labwork to Leadership! Perfect timing as I head into the chemistry faculty job market this year. 👀 #chemsky

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Michelle Brann @michellebrann.bsky.social · Aug 27

Congratulations Mike!

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Reposted by Michelle Brann

C&EN (Chemical & Engineering News) @cenmag.bsky.social · Aug 19

The American Chemical Society announced that the ACS Board of Directors has approved $2.5 million to be granted to graduate students who have been impacted by the termination or cancellation of their adviser’s research grant(s) cen.acs.org/acs-news/acs... #chemsky

ACS announces millions in funding for students affected by terminated grants

The grants will help students within 1 year of completion of their degree

cen.acs.org

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Michelle Brann @michellebrann.bsky.social · Aug 18

For those at #ACSFall2025, stop by the Committee Row at Sci-Mix tonight from 8-10 PM to learn more about how the ACS Economic and Professional Affairs Committee (CEPA) oversees initiatives that improve members’ economic opportunity and professional growth www.acs.org/about/govern...

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Reposted by Michelle Brann

Dr. Suchitra Narayanan @suchitra.bsky.social · Aug 14

My advisor, Karin Öberg, says you’re ready to graduate once you start dressing like your advisor. It’s therefore fitting that yesterday we matched (unplanned) during my dissertation talk :)

Excited to share I defended my PhD & will be going to @mpe-garching.bsky.social to work with Paola Caselli!

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Michelle Brann @michellebrann.bsky.social · Jul 24

Photo credits: Torben Nuding/Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting

Michelle Brann @michellebrann.bsky.social · Jul 24

At #LINO25 I shared my research, got thoughtful advice from Nobel Laureates, and joined Frances Arnold for a science walk. I’m feeling inspired, energized, and excited to stay connected with this international community. Thank you
@tamu.bsky.social and @nationalacademies.org for sponsoring!

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Reposted by Michelle Brann

Research Corporation for Science Advancement @rescorp.org · Jul 24

Attention, #CottrellScholar, #Scialog & #RCSAFellows communities! RCSA is now accepting nominations for the 2026 class of RCSA Fellows, as well as applications to volunteer as host institution for their mock interviews. Details here: bit.ly/4m9iKus

RCSA Fellows

The RCSA Fellows initiative is building building an engaged community of faculty who bring a variety of perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds to teaching and research in the physical scie…

bit.ly

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Reposted by Michelle Brann

uchichemistry.bsky.social @uchichemistry.bsky.social · Jun 30

Huge congratulations to graduate student Joshua Wagner who has won this year's Hoffman Award from the American Vacuum Society (AVS) for his groundbreaking research on 2D moiré materials and nitrogen reactions on ruthenium. chemistry.uchicago.edu/news/joshua-...

Joshua Wagner Honored with Prestigious Dorothy M. and Earl S. Hoffman Award

Graduate Researcher Recognized for Innovative Work in 2D Materials and Catalysis

chemistry.uchicago.edu

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Reposted by Michelle Brann

Mala Radhakrishnan @atomicromances.bsky.social · Jun 24

Want to teach chemistry at @wellesley.edu ? Apply for our visitor position. Join our community as you contribute to our orgo and/or intro curriculum:
wd1.myworkdaysite.com/recruiting/w...

Visiting Lecturer in Chemistry

Please review the details for the position before applying. Ensure that you have the required documents ready to upload in either PDF (.pdf) or Word document (.doc) format. On the second page, enter y...

wd1.myworkdaysite.com

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Michelle Brann @michellebrann.bsky.social · Jun 8

Grateful to have taken part in the 2nd Annual #RCSAFellows Conference as a 2024 Fellow. Thank you to all the fantastic speakers, mentors, and other fellows for your insights and support!

Research Corporation for Science Advancement @rescorp.org · Jun 4

2nd Annual #RCSAFellows Conference is underway in Tucson! Congrats to 2024 & 2025 Fellows, and thanks to our speakers, Facilitators & advisors for giving their time and advice so generously to help prepare these outstanding postdoctoral scholars for the faculty search process and the professoriate.

Group photo of participants at the 2nd Annual RCSA Fellows Conference in a desert garden landscape.

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Michelle Brann @michellebrann.bsky.social · May 29

Honored to receive the 2025 American Chemical Society Astrochemistry Outstanding Dissertation Award! 🌌 @uchichemistry.bsky.social
astro.phys-acs.org/news.html#20...

The Astrochemistry Subdivision of the American Chemical Society

Astrochemistry news, student opportunities, national meeting symposia, and officers related to the ACS Astrochemistry Subdivision are all found here.

astro.phys-acs.org

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Michelle Brann @michellebrann.bsky.social · Apr 27

Just came back from the Lindau Spring Meeting at @tamu.bsky.social and am excited for the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting in July! Thank you to @nationalacademies.org for the nomination ☺️ #LINO25

Invite email with details about the meeting and a photo of scientists

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Michelle Brann @michellebrann.bsky.social · Apr 14

Congratulations! See you in June 🥳

Michelle Brann @michellebrann.bsky.social · Apr 11

Huge congratulations and looking forward to meeting the new #RCSAFellows at the RCSA conference in June! 🥳

Research Corporation for Science Advancement @rescorp.org · Apr 11

RCSA has selected a new class of outstanding postdoctoral scholars in the second year of the #RCSAFellows Initiative, which aims to increase faculty excellence in the physical sciences through a multiyear program of job search preparation, professional development, and community building.

RCSA Fellows Initiative Selects 2025 Cohort

rescorp.org

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Reposted by Michelle Brann

Michael Busch @michael-w-busch.bsky.social · Apr 3

Today on the #arXiv:

Narayanan et al. 2025, "Thermal Desorption Kinetics, Binding Energies, and Entrapment of Methyl Mercaptan Ices" - arxiv.org/abs/2504.01102

If you were wondering what a protoplanetary disc might be said to smell like.

Thermal Desorption Kinetics, Binding Energies, and Entrapment of Methyl Mercaptan Ices

Organosulfur species are potential major carriers of sulfur in the interstellar medium, as well as interesting ingredients in prebiotic chemistry. The most fundamental question regarding these species...

arxiv.org

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Reposted by Michelle Brann

Peter Carlton @petercarlton.bsky.social · Mar 28

A few photos from my week at #ACSSpring2025. Reconnecting with members of our #CASFutureLeaders community is always so inspiring. Thanks to all who tracked me down (and made me laugh) in San Diego!

Selfie of Peter, Diego, Danielle, and Inès standing in the ACS booth.

Peter, Sejun, and Dmitry standing in front of a wall of bottles at a restaurant.

Group of early-career scientists posing in front of a wall of bottles.

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Michelle Brann @michellebrann.bsky.social · Mar 21

En route to San Diego for #ACSSpring2025. I’m looking forward to attending my first Committee on Economic and Professional Affairs (CEPA) meeting tomorrow. I’m also giving a presentation in the Astrochemistry Symposium in honor of Eric Herbst on Tuesday at 11 AM ☺️

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Michelle Brann @michellebrann.bsky.social · Jan 10

One highlight of 2023! Thanks for capturing @miquai.bsky.social 🙃

Michael Wong @miquai.bsky.social · Jan 4

A few of my favorite pics from @michellebrann.bsky.social's wedding 💍

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Reposted by Michelle Brann

Olivia Harper Wilkins, PhD @livwithoutlimit.bsky.social · Dec 12

Probably the saddest #MeetTheYCC I've posted. @michellebrann.bsky.social is about to rotate off @yccacs.bsky.social 💔 Thank you, Michelle, for all you've done for YCC!! We will miss you at YCC but look forward to seeing what you do next within @amerchemsociety.bsky.social!

ACS Younger Chemists Committee @yccacs.bsky.social · Dec 12

Meet Dr. Michelle Brann, a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian and Chair of YCC's Communications (COM) subcommittee. Read about what Michelle does on the committee in our most recent #MeetTheYCC. acsycc.org/meet-the-...

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