Across a distinguished career marked by innovative contributions to materials research, Tracey Scherban, PhD, has demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing women in chemistry. As chair of the American Chemical Society’s Women Chemists Committee, she organizes events that encourage scientists and enthusiasts alike to embrace scientific inquiry. Dr. Scherban’s leadership is exemplified through her recent work organizing the Women in Science Elaine Nam Memorial Symposium, an event at Reed College attended by more than 100 high school and college students. Through this event, women aspiring to enter the chemistry field were given access to panels, speeches and mentorship opportunities from 30 science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) professionals.
Before focusing on efforts to support women in STEM, Dr. Scherban garnered an esteemed reputation as an educator. She served as a chemistry instructor at Portland Community College for a decade, while also briefly contributing as an adjunct professor of chemistry at Portland State University in 2010. Dr. Scherban established herself across more than 10 years at Intel Corporation, taking on the roles of engineering manager and materials technology laboratory group leader. In these capacities, she identified critical gaps in the company’s ability to measure the mechanical properties of thin films, an issue causing chip failures. Collaborating with Stanford University, Dr. Scherban led efforts to develop a more reliable technique for measuring film adhesion, creating what would become a new industry standard. She considers this one of her greatest professional accomplishments and a showcase of her ability to resolve long-standing challenges.
Dr. Scherban’s academic journey began with a Bachelor of Arts in chemistry from Reed College in 1983. She went on to obtain a master’s degree in solid state science from Columbia University in 1988. Dr. Scherban stayed at that institution to earn a PhD in materials science in 1991. She conducted postdoctoral research at several elite institutions in Europe, including the Laboratoire d’Ionique et D’Electrochimie du Solide, the Delft University of Technology and the Max Planck Institute.
Among her technical achievements, Dr. Scherban is especially proud of securing a 2004 patent for a technique to enhance the adhesion of silicon nitride films. She remains actively involved with such professional organizations as the Materials Research Society and the American Chemical Society, where she continues to serve as chair of the Women Chemists Committee.
Recognized for her professional excellence, Dr. Scherban has been honored with numerous accolades. Most notably, she has received several Joint Engineering Team Awards and was given a Presidential Climate Science Grant in 2013. Throughout her life and career, Dr. Scherban has drawn inspiration from her family and friends, as well as from exceptional mentors who have guided her path. She credits her success to these influences, alongside her own confidence and belief in her abilities.
Happily married, Dr. Scherban is a loving mother to one son. She expresses deep pride for her son’s academic achievements; he recently earned a master’s degree and is now pursuing doctoral studies at Columbia University, following closely in her footsteps.
In addition to her professional life, Dr. Scherban enjoys hiking, cooking and photography. She looks forward to continuing to advocate for greater representation of women among scientists, especially Nobel laureates. She is also pursuing a personal passion for billiards, with the ambitious goal of becoming a professional pool champion.