Advancing Chemistry. Improving Life. ANNUAL REPORT 2017 Welch 2017 Cover.indd 1 6/18/18 2:33 PM ROBERT A. WELCH The Welch Foundation is a legacy to the world from Robert Alonzo Welch, a self-made man with a strong sense of responsibility to humankind, an enthusiastic respect for chemistry and a deep love for the state of Texas. Born in South Carolina to a prominent family that fell on hard economic times, Mr. Welch came to Houston as a youth and later made his fortune in oil and minerals. Over the course of his career and life, he became convinced of the importance of chemistry for the betterment of the world. Scientists, geologists and petroleum engineers were among his close friends and associates as were the civic and business leaders of the day. From these associations and his own study, Mr. Welch determined that the pursuit of chemistry and chemical research held great potential for vast good and would continue to have a valuable impact on business, industry, global leadership and the 2017 ANNUAL REPORT human condition. SUPPLEMENT The Supplement to the 2017 Welch Mr. Welch gave serious thought to the disposition of his Foundation Annual Report is available estate. His decisions reflected his belief in science and the online at www.welch1.org and includes: role it would play in the future. In his will, Mr. Welch stated: 61st Conference on Chemical “I have long been impressed with the great possibilities Research Program Welch Conference on Chemical for the betterment of mankind that lay in the field of Research 1957-2017 research in the domain of chemistry.” With his death in Welch Award Recipients 1972-2017 1952, Mr. Welch left a generous portion of his estate Hackerman Award Recipients to his employees and their families. The balance began 2002-2017 what is now The Welch Foundation. Principal Investigators Listed Alphabetically Abstracts of Current Investigations Publications by Principal Investigators Reported During 2016-2017 1 Welch 2017 Cover.indd 2-3 Welch AR 2017–v7A.indd 1 6/19/186/18/18 8:322:33 AMPM ROBERT A. WELCH The Welch Foundation is a legacy to the world from Robert Alonzo Welch, a self-made man with a strong sense of responsibility to humankind, an enthusiastic respect for chemistry and a deep love for the state of Texas. Born in South Carolina to a prominent family that fell on hard economic times, Mr. Welch came to Houston as a youth and later made his fortune in oil and minerals. Over the course of his career and life, he became convinced of the importance of chemistry for the betterment of the world. Scientists, geologists and petroleum engineers were among his close friends and associates as were the civic and business leaders of the day. From these associations and his own study, Mr. Welch determined that the pursuit of chemistry and chemical research held great potential for vast good and would continue to have a valuable impact on business, industry, global leadership and the human condition. Mr. Welch gave serious thought to the disposition of his estate. His decisions reflected his belief in science and the role it would play in the future. In his will, Mr. Welch stated: “I have long been impressed with the great possibilities for the betterment of mankind that lay in the field of research in the domain of chemistry.” With his death in 1952, Mr. Welch left a generous portion of his estate to his employees and their families. The balance began what is now The Welch Foundation. 1 Welch AR 2017–v7A.indd 1 6/19/18 8:32 AM 2017 ANNUAL HIGHLIGHTS Advancing Basic Research in Chemistry, Improving Lives Fiscal year 2017 saw the Foundation’s endowment reach $687 million. From inception through the end of the year, the Foundation has provided some $866 million in actual-dollar support for basic research in chemistry. The Welch Foundation named two “rising stars” recipients of the 2017 Hackerman Award in Chemical Research: Neal M. Alto, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, for his contributions in microbiology, and Delia J. Milliron, The University of Texas President Norbert Dittrich, board chair Charles Tate, 3 2017 ANNUAL HIGHLIGHTS Table of Contents at Austin, for her work in materials science. and SAB and conference chair Peter Dervan at the 61st research conference. 4 THE WELCH FOUNDATION “It is a testament to the depth and vibrancy of Texas chemical research that biological properties useful for a wide range of 6 THE WELCH AWARD we chose to honor both of these remarkable sci- applications. 8 THE HACKERMAN AWARD entists this year,” said Welch President Norbert Also in October, the Foundation saluted the Dittrich. “While working in two disparate areas, recipient of the 2017 Robert A. Welch Award in 10 CONFERENCE ON CHEMICAL RESEARCH they are making important and critical contribu- Chemistry, John B. Goodenough, The Univer- 12 PROGRAMS tions to our scientific knowledge.” sity of Texas at Austin, for his work in materials The annual research conference in October, science. Best known for his development of the 14 FOUNDATION GRANTS “Advances in Synthetic and Biological Chem- lithium ion battery in 1980, Dr. Goodenough 18 PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS istry,” attracted approximately 600 attendees. recently made a second major breakthrough in Welch Scientific Advisory Board Chair Peter the technology of rechargeable batteries. 32 DEPARTMENTAL RESEARCH GRANTS B. Dervan organized the conference featur- Membership in the Foundation’s board of 33 ENDOWED CHAIRS ing 12 speakers discussing the creation of new directors transitioned during the year. Charles molecules with specific physical, chemical and M. Tate retired as board chair in December and 34 FINANCIALS Carin Marcy Barth assumed that role. Ernest H. Cockrell also retired after 15 years of service, and Robert C. Robbins resigned upon taking a new position outside the state. The Foundation is deeply grateful for their stellar service. 2017 saw auxiliary advisory board members Frederick W. Brazelton, Douglas L. Foshee and Gina A. Luna move onto the board. In addition, William F. McKeon was named to the auxiliary advisory board, effective Jan. 1, 2018. The Scientific Advisory Board welcomed noted researcher and scientific leader W. E. Moerner, Stanford University, to its ranks and said farewell to retiring member Marye Anne Fox. Dr. Fox joined the SAB in 1998 and was chair between President Norbert Dittrich with Carl and Gina Luna and Mitchell and Carin Marcy Barth at the Welch Award banquet. The two women are 2012 and 2014. Her insights and thoughtful Welch board members. leadership will be missed. 2 3 Welch AR 2017–v7A.indd 2-3 6/19/18 8:32 AM 2017 ANNUAL HIGHLIGHTS Advancing Basic Research in Chemistry, Improving Lives Fiscal year 2017 saw the Foundation’s endowment reach $687 million. From inception through the end of the year, the Foundation has provided some $866 million in actual-dollar support for basic research in chemistry. The Welch Foundation named two “rising stars” recipients of the 2017 Hackerman Award in Chemical Research: Neal M. Alto, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, for his contributions in microbiology, and Delia J. Milliron, The University of Texas President Norbert Dittrich, board chair Charles Tate, 3 2017 ANNUAL HIGHLIGHTS Table of Contents at Austin, for her work in materials science. and SAB and conference chair Peter Dervan at the 61st research conference. 4 THE WELCH FOUNDATION “It is a testament to the depth and vibrancy of Texas chemical research that biological properties useful for a wide range of 6 THE WELCH AWARD we chose to honor both of these remarkable sci- applications. 8 THE HACKERMAN AWARD entists this year,” said Welch President Norbert Also in October, the Foundation saluted the Dittrich. “While working in two disparate areas, recipient of the 2017 Robert A. Welch Award in 10 CONFERENCE ON CHEMICAL RESEARCH they are making important and critical contribu- Chemistry, John B. Goodenough, The Univer- 12 PROGRAMS tions to our scientific knowledge.” sity of Texas at Austin, for his work in materials The annual research conference in October, science. Best known for his development of the 14 FOUNDATION GRANTS “Advances in Synthetic and Biological Chem- lithium ion battery in 1980, Dr. Goodenough 18 PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS istry,” attracted approximately 600 attendees. recently made a second major breakthrough in Welch Scientific Advisory Board Chair Peter the technology of rechargeable batteries. 32 DEPARTMENTAL RESEARCH GRANTS B. Dervan organized the conference featur- Membership in the Foundation’s board of 33 ENDOWED CHAIRS ing 12 speakers discussing the creation of new directors transitioned during the year. Charles molecules with specific physical, chemical and M. Tate retired as board chair in December and 34 FINANCIALS Carin Marcy Barth assumed that role. Ernest H. Cockrell also retired after 15 years of service, and Robert C. Robbins resigned upon taking a new position outside the state. The Foundation is deeply grateful for their stellar service. 2017 saw auxiliary advisory board members Frederick W. Brazelton, Douglas L. Foshee and Gina A. Luna move onto the board. In addition, William F. McKeon was named to the auxiliary advisory board, effective Jan. 1, 2018. The Scientific Advisory Board welcomed noted researcher and scientific leader W. E. Moerner, Stanford University, to its ranks and said farewell to retiring member Marye Anne Fox. Dr. Fox joined the SAB in 1998 and was chair between President Norbert Dittrich with Carl and Gina Luna and Mitchell and Carin Marcy Barth at the Welch Award banquet. The two women are 2012 and 2014. Her insights and thoughtful Welch board members. leadership will be missed. 2 3 Welch AR 2017–v7A.indd 2-3 6/19/18 8:32 AM THE WELCH FOUNDATION Fullfilling Founder’s Vision Scientific Advisory Board Peter B.