معرفی
Michelle Francl is the Frank B. Mallory Professor of Chemistry at Bryn Mawr College, where she has been a faculty member since 1986. She is also an Adjunct Scholar of the Vatican Observatory, appointed in 2016, and a Fellow of the American Chemical Society since 2009. Her work spans computational chemistry, the history and philosophy of chemistry, and science communication.
Dr. Francl's educational background includes a B.S. and Ph.D. from the University of California, Irvine (1979 and 1983), followed by postdoctoral research at Princeton University (1983-1985). She has made significant contributions to theoretical chemistry, particularly in understanding molecular structures with unusual topological properties like [n]mobiusenes. Her research examines the unstated assumptions chemists make and how scientific knowledge is communicated to both professional and public audiences.
As a prolific science communicator, Dr. Francl regularly publishes essays in Nature Chemistry, with over 50 articles published between 2009-2023, covering diverse topics from molecular topology to science policy. She is the author of Steeped: The Chemistry of Tea (2024) and A Survival Guide for Physical Chemistry (2001), and has contributed to publications including the Oxford Companion to Sweets. Her recent work shows a growing focus on the intersection of science communication, AI, and philosophical questions about chemistry as a discipline.
- Fellow of the American Chemical Society (2009)
- ACS Philadelphia Section Award (2019)
Dr. Francl teaches courses in General Chemistry, Quantum Chemistry, Thermodynamics, and Writing Science. She has developed curricular materials through NSF-funded projects and gives workshops on scientific writing. She is also co-presenter of 'Seeking the Face of God: The Lives and Discoveries of Catholic Scientists,' reflecting her interest in the relationship between scientific inquiry and religious faith.
