WASHINGTON, Oct. 30, 2026 - The American Chemical Society (ACS) has named the inaugural recipients of ACS Laureate and ACS Rising Leader, two new honors recognizing the professional achievements, scientific contributions and social impact of ACS international members.
The inaugural International Chapters Recognition Award Ceremony was held Oct. 28 during the opening ceremony of the ACS Catalysis+ Symposium in Dalian. ACS Chief Executive Officer Albert G. Horvath celebrated the inaugural class and presented the new honors.
"Chemistry is a global endeavor, and the progress we make depends on the exchange of ideas, expertise and perspectives across borders," says Horvath. "These honors are an opportunity to recognize outstanding scientists while strengthening the connections that help the chemistry community continue to advance and thrive."
The recognition program was proposed by ACS International Chapters in China in response to member interest in additional opportunities to recognize scientific and professional achievement. The 2026 pilot of ACS Laureate and ACS Rising Leader was open to ACS members in China, one of ACS' fastest-growing member communities, with plans to expand the program globally.
The 2026 ACS Laureates are:
- Guibin Jiang, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences.
- Tao Zhang, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences.
The 2026 ACS Rising Leaders are:
- Jiandong Feng, Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University.
- Kuangbiao Liao, Guangzhou National Laboratory.
- Kaifeng Wu, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences.
ACS Laureate honors established chemists for significant contributions to the field and their broader professional or international influence, while ACS Rising Leader recognizes emerging talent in chemistry-related fields. This year's recipients were selected through a two-round review involving domestic and international judges.
