Cynthia J. Burrows Phone: (801) 585-7290 Distinguished Professor Fax: (801) 585-0024 of Chemistry Email:
[email protected] May 26, 2010 Dr. Iain M. Johnstone Department of Statistics Stanford University 450 Serra Mall Stanford, CA 94305-2070 Dear Iain, Enclosed please find the report of the Committee of Visitors to the Chemistry Division, which met from May 3-5, 2010. The report includes: • The general conclusions and recommendations of the committee • A summary of the specific findings of the COV concerning the review process, the outcomes of CHE’s investments, and the response of CHE to the 2007 COV report • The membership of the 2010 COV • The charge to the COV from Dr. Ed Seidel • Individual reports from seven subpanels • Responses to template questions The COV concluded that outstanding science is being funded through this program, and that the scientific staff of CHE are demonstrating excellence in management of this diverse portfolio. On behalf of the COV, Sincerely, Cynthia J. Burrows Distinguished Professor Chair, 2010 COV for CHE Department of Chemistry 315 South 1400 East Salt Lake City, Utah 84112 Report of the Committee of Visitors Division of Chemistry National Science Foundation May 3-5, 2010 I. Background The Committee of Visitors for the Division of Chemistry (CHE) met for three days to review the activities of the Division during the three-year period 2007-2009. The original meeting dates of February 9-11, 2010 were rescheduled due to a snowstorm in the Washington, DC area. Nearly 80% of the original COV members were able to attend the rescheduled meeting, but additional members were sought to cover a diversity of scientific, geographic, institutional and demographic characteristics.