FIU’s Sonia Underwood investigated how interviewees at various levels of education and professional careers in chemistry characterized a chemist or “chemistry person” and how that influences their self-identification and evaluation of others. Participants tended to refer to a “pure chemist” as an idealized image of someone doing molecular-level research, particularly in organic or inorganic chemistry. They left out biochemists, industrial chemists, chemical engineers, and others.

The team found chemists working in industry perceive a boundary between academia and industry, with some reporting negative perceptions about their career choices. Underwood sees a need to broaden awareness of diverse career paths in chemistry, considering that the field faced a 25 percent decline in college majors over the past five years. “Chemistry plays a role in everything we have,” says Underwood — from developing paints and creating flavors and fragrances to improving fertilizers and contributing to manufacture of products.

• SONIA UNDERWOOD