January 13, 2026
Research Triangle Park, NC – The North Carolina Local Section of the American Chemical Society (NC-ACS) is proud to announce the creation of a new perpetual endowment fund dedicated to supporting its annual Distinguished Lecturer Award.
For many years, this award has been a cornerstone of the NC-ACS, recognizing outstanding contributors to the chemical sciences who deliver the keynote address at the local section’s annual meeting.
In recognition of a significant foundational donation that ensures the award’s continued legacy, the NC-ACS has officially renamed this prestigious honor to the “Dr. Bhaskar R. Venepalli Award for Distinguished Speaker of the Year.”
This generous endowment, fully supported by Dr. Bhaskar R. Venepalli, ensures the permanent future of the award, allowing the NC-ACS to increase the annual honorarium and expand opportunities for soliciting and celebrating the most distinguished scientific communicators in the region. The award will be presented annually at the NC-ACS local section conference.
Honoring a Lasting Legacy
The new name honors Dr. Bhaskar R. Venepalli, a highly respected leader, innovative entrepreneur, and devoted member of the scientific community whose profound impact has been felt across both the local and national levels of the American Chemical Society.
Dr. Venepalli served the NC-ACS local section with distinction, including as Chair in 2019. His commitment to the chemical sciences was further recognized by the National ACS when he was named an ACS Fellow in 2017. He is also a recipient of the prestigious Marcus E. Hobbs Award (2022) and the Henry F. Whalen, Jr. Award from the ACS Division of Business Development & Management (BMGT) (2025).
Michael David, Chair of the NC-ACS Local Section, commented on the significance of the contribution:
“We are incredibly grateful for Dr. Venepalli’s generous and forward-thinking gift. This endowment secures the future of our most distinguished speaking award and allows us to elevate its recognition. Renaming the award in his honor is a fitting tribute to a leader whose service, mentorship, and enthusiasm for the chemical sciences have shaped our section for years.”
Dr. Bhaskar R. Venepalli shared his motivation for establishing the endowment:
“It is a privilege to give back to the scientific community that has given me so much, and particularly to the North Carolina Local Section of the ACS. My hope is that the ‘Dr. Bhaskar R. Venepalli Award for Distinguished Speaker of the Year’ will inspire more scientists to embrace communication, leadership, and service, ensuring the vital dissemination of chemical knowledge for generations to come.”
Award Purpose and Criteria
The award seeks to recognize a distinguished speaker who embodies Dr. Venepalli’s passion for science, integrity, and excellence in communication. The recipient is an individual who has inspired and educated the community with exemplary presentation skills, fostering Dr. Venepalli’s legacy of collaboration, engagement, and clear dissemination of knowledge.
Key Award Criteria:
- Recognition: Presented annually to an individual within the NC-ACS section who has made significant and recognized research contributions to the chemical sciences.
- Role: The recipient serves as the keynote speaker at the annual NC-ACS Local Section Conference each fall.
- Award: Includes a monetary award and a commemorative plaque.
- Eligibility: The recipient must live and/or work within the region represented by NC-ACS and have made notable research contributions to the chemical sciences. Membership in the ACS is not mandatory.
About the North Carolina Local Section of the ACS
The NC-ACS Local Section is a regional chapter of the American Chemical Society, dedicated to advancing the broader chemistry enterprise and its practitioners for the benefit of Earth and its people. It serves chemists and chemical engineers across the state through professional development, networking, educational outreach, and recognition programs.
Media Contact:
Michael David, Ph.D., Chair, NC-ACS Local Section
mike@quant-agro.com;
(919) 208-0150
