Dr. Kristin Hutchins, an associate professor of chemistry at the University of Missouri, has been awarded the 2025 Rising Star Award by the Women Chemists Committee of the American Chemical Society. This honor recognizes her key role in her research group's success in publications, securing funding, and earning awards.  

The WCC Rising Star Award is given to mid-career individuals who show outstanding promise in their fields. Dr. Hutchins expressed her surprise and gratitude, saying, "There are countless deserving women chemists, and I feel exceptionally honored to have been selected as an awardee. This award recognizes the contributions of all the members of my team." 

Dr. Hutchins' research focuses on how molecules form complex structures, with an emphasis on designing materials with specific, targeted properties. Her current projects include studying how materials respond to temperature changes, improving pharmaceutical processes, and developing eco-friendly methods for recovering rare earth elements. She noted, "Two of the things that excite me most about research are interacting with and discussing exciting results with the members of my group and observing chemical behaviors that have never been investigated before." 

In addition to the award, Dr. Hutchins will receive a stipend to attend the ACS Spring Meeting in San Diego, where she will present her work at a WCC-sponsored symposium. She will also be recognized alongside other awardees at a luncheon and reception, providing opportunities to share her research and network within the scientific community.