It is an honor to serve as your Chair for 2026. My commitment to chemical health and safety has been shaped by a strong focus on safety culture, technical excellence, and inclusive collaboration, values I have carried throughout my career and in my service to ACS. This year, I look forward to bringing innovative, proactive leadership to the Division, building on the meaningful work of prior CHAS Chairs who strengthened engagement, communication, and community. Their foundation enables us to continue advancing together.
Our Shared Vision and Values
CHAS exists to protect people and the planet through excellence in chemical health and safety and to foster a global community dedicated to best practices. These principles guide everything we do, from programming and workshops to recognition and outreach.
Division Priorities for 2026
- Enhance safety culture through education. We will expand professional development opportunities, peer‑led workshops, and accessible resources for educators and researchers.
- Foster collaboration with industry and academia. Through CHAS Chats, Communities, and joint symposia, we will connect with practitioners and enable co‑creation of effective safety solutions. A key highlight will be our Chemistry Research Faculty Safety Workshop at the Fall 2026 ACS Meeting, delivered in partnership with I&EC and CCS.
- Increase visibility and impact. We will maintain transparent communication through newsletters, social media, and open invitations for member participation. The DCHAS‑L listserv will continue to serve as an active forum for seeking guidance and sharing lessons learned.
- Advocate for policies that support safe practices via partnerships & global outreach. Working with CCS and the ACS Office of Safety Programs, we’ll advocate for evidence-based policies and highlight existing resources that strengthen laboratory safety, sustainability, and integrity. Building on the recent success engaging educators in India, we will explore establishing global safety communities of practice.
Celebrating ACS’s 150th Anniversary
As ACS marks its 150th anniversary under the theme “Chemistry is Everything”, CHAS is proud to contribute with a special Fall symposium,“Celebrating 150 Years of ACS: Shaping Safer Science for All.” This program will reflect on key developments in chemical safety and present future strategies. Throughout 2026, CHAS Chats and safety resources will offer opportunities to learn, connect, and share impactful stories.
How You Can Get Involved
- Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook for updates.
- Join the conversation. If you’re not yet on DCHAS-L, email the Membership Chair for access (membership@dchas.org).
- Volunteer for a project or committee by contacting me at chair@dchas.org or submitting the interest form on our website (https://dchas.org/2022/01/20/chas-committee-interests-survey/).
- Propose a CHAS Chat, workshop, or symposium topic and let us know if you’d like to lead it.
- Use CHAS and CCS safety resources in your courses, labs, and organizations to strengthen safe practices.
As we celebrate ACS150 and honor the leaders who shaped CHAS, we remain focused on advancing education, strengthening collaboration, supporting effective policies, and increasing our collective impact. I look forward to the progress we will achieve together in 2026 as we continue to elevate chemical health and safety across the community.
With gratitude,
Kalyani Martinelango
2026 Chair, ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety