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Good Chemistry

02/04/03
USC chemistry professor Hanna Reisler is the first holder of the new Gabilan Chair in the College of Letters, Arts & Sciences. The position, said officials, symbolizes the university’s commitment to gender equity in science and engineering.
by Karen Young
Hanna Reisler

Hanna Reisler, a professor of chemistry in the College of Letters, Arts & Sciences, is the first holder of USC’s newly established Gabilan Chair.

The endowed chair is funded by the Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE) Program, established in 2000 by a $20 million gift to the university. The donor of the gift, who wishes to remain anonymous, has named the new chair after the Gabilan bird, a type of North American falcon.

“Hanna is an internationally recognized chemist with a distinguished research program," said Joseph Aoun, dean of the College. "She has been a leader in the development of the WiSE program at USC and is eminently qualified to hold this new endowed chair. "

The primary goal of the WiSE program is to double the number of tenure and tenure-track female faculty in the next five years. The program helps create a supportive environment that fosters career development of both women and men in the sciences, he said.

“The new chair will be a visible symbol of the university's commitment to increasing the representation of women in the sciences and engineering,” said professor Jean Morrison, director of the WiSE program.

“Gender equity in the sciences and engineering and in the university as a whole is a priority for the administration,” said Provost Lloyd Armstrong Jr. “This new chair and the other WiSE programs are central to our efforts to achieve gender equity.”

Reisler studies detailed mechanisms of chemical reactions in the gas and condensed phases by using laser and molecular beam techniques. In particular, she is interested in identifying primary steps, nascent product state distributions and understanding reaction mechanisms at the molecular level.

“I am thrilled to hold this important chair,” said Reisler. “I hope it will help bring more women scientists and engineers to USC, and I intend to do everything in my power to support and nurture their careers.”