Uma Chowdhry
Encyclopedia
Uma Chowdhry was born in Mumbai
, India
in 1947. She received a Bachelors Degree in physics from Indian Institute of Science
, Mumbai University in 1968 before coming to the United States. She received a Masters Degree in Science from Caltech in engineering science in 1970. After two years with Ford Motor Company
, she entered MIT where she earned a Ph.D.
in materials science in 1976.
She joined DuPont in 1977 as a research scientist in Central Research & Development Department of E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
at the DuPont Experimental Station
in Wilmington, Delaware
. The table shows the broad experience obtained in a rather typical career path for an individual who achieves high levels within DuPont.
Uma Chowdhry is currently senior vice president and Chief Science and Technology Officer of DuPont and is responsible for the company's core research programs and the DuPont "APEX" portfolio of research programs spanning basic chemistry, materials science and biotechnology. On July 15, 2010, DuPont announced that Chowdhry will retire on 31 December, 2010.
Her technical career specialized in the science of ceramic materials
, including catalysts, proton conductors, superconductors and ceramic packaging for microelectronics
. In 1987 she led DuPont's research effort in ceramic superconducting materials and developed a world class program that generated over 20 patents and 50 publications. For her contributions to the science of ceramics, Chowdhry was elected Fellow of the American Ceramic Society
in 1989 where she chaired the Academy's Emerging Technologies Committee, 2002–2004. She was elected to the National Academy of Engineering
in 1996 where she has served on the program advisory board and election subcommittees. She was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
in 2003.
She has served on the National Research Council
's study groups that generate assessment reports on various technology topics of national interest and was a member of National Research Council’s Committee on Globalization (2004). She served on the board of directors for the Industrial Research Institute, the National Inventors Hall of Fame
and to a Laboratory Operations Board for the Department of Energy
for the US Government. Dr. Chowdhry is a member of the National Committee on Women in Science and Engineering sponsored by both the National Academies of Science and Engineering since 1999. She was appointed to the Laboratory Operations Board for the U.S. Department of Energy, Washington, D.C. in 2002. Dr. Chowdhry has served on advisory boards of engineering schools at MIT
, University of Pennsylvania
, Princeton University
and the University of Delaware
. She was elected to the board of trustees for Christiana Care Health Services in Delaware in 2003. Uma will receive the 2011 Earle B. Barnes Award for Leadership in Chemical Research Management from the American Chemical Society
.
She and her husband, Vinay Chowdhry, reside in Wilmington, Delaware.
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
in 1947. She received a Bachelors Degree in physics from Indian Institute of Science
Indian Institute of Science
Indian Institute of Science is a research institution of higher learning located in Bangalore, India. It was established in 1909.-History:After a chance meeting between Jamsetji N...
, Mumbai University in 1968 before coming to the United States. She received a Masters Degree in Science from Caltech in engineering science in 1970. After two years with Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
, she entered MIT where she earned a Ph.D.
Ph.D.
A Ph.D. is a Doctor of Philosophy, an academic degree.Ph.D. may also refer to:* Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*Piled Higher and Deeper, a web comic strip*PhD: Phantasy Degree, a Korean comic series* PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
in materials science in 1976.
She joined DuPont in 1977 as a research scientist in Central Research & Development Department of E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
DuPont
E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company , commonly referred to as DuPont, is an American chemical company that was founded in July 1802 as a gunpowder mill by Eleuthère Irénée du Pont. DuPont was the world's third largest chemical company based on market capitalization and ninth based on revenue in 2009...
at the DuPont Experimental Station
DuPont Experimental Station
The DuPont Experimental Station is the largest research and development facility of E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company. Located on the banks of the Brandywine Creek in Wilmington, Delaware, it is home to some of the most important discoveries of the modern chemical industry...
in Wilmington, Delaware
Wilmington, Delaware
Wilmington is the largest city in the state of Delaware, United States, and is located at the confluence of the Christina River and Brandywine Creek, near where the Christina flows into the Delaware River. It is the county seat of New Castle County and one of the major cities in the Delaware Valley...
. The table shows the broad experience obtained in a rather typical career path for an individual who achieves high levels within DuPont.
| Year | Position within DuPont |
|---|---|
| 2003 | Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer |
| 1999 | Director, DuPont Engineering Technology |
| 1997 | Business Planning and Technology Director, Chemicals |
| 1995 | Business Director, Terathane Products |
| 1993 | R&D Director, Specialty Chemicals |
| 1992 | Laboratory Director, Jackson Laboratory, Chemicals |
| 1991 | Director, Electronics |
| 1991 | Business Manager, Microcircuit Materials |
| 1988 | Laboratory Director, Electronics |
| 1985 | Research Manager, Central Research |
| 1983 | Research Supervisor, Central Research |
| 1981 | Group Leader, Central Research |
| 1977 | Research Scientist, Central Research |
Uma Chowdhry is currently senior vice president and Chief Science and Technology Officer of DuPont and is responsible for the company's core research programs and the DuPont "APEX" portfolio of research programs spanning basic chemistry, materials science and biotechnology. On July 15, 2010, DuPont announced that Chowdhry will retire on 31 December, 2010.
Her technical career specialized in the science of ceramic materials
Ceramic materials
Ceramic materials are inorganic, non-metallic materials and things made from them. They may be crystalline or partly crystalline. They are formed by the action of heat and subsequent cooling...
, including catalysts, proton conductors, superconductors and ceramic packaging for microelectronics
Microelectronics
Microelectronics is a subfield of electronics. As the name suggests, microelectronics relates to the study and manufacture of very small electronic components. Usually, but not always, this means micrometre-scale or smaller,. These devices are made from semiconductors...
. In 1987 she led DuPont's research effort in ceramic superconducting materials and developed a world class program that generated over 20 patents and 50 publications. For her contributions to the science of ceramics, Chowdhry was elected Fellow of the American Ceramic Society
American Ceramic Society
The American Ceramic Society is a non-profit professional organization for the ceramics community, with a focus on scientific research, emerging technologies, and applications in which ceramic materials are an element...
in 1989 where she chaired the Academy's Emerging Technologies Committee, 2002–2004. She was elected to the National Academy of Engineering
National Academy of Engineering
The National Academy of Engineering is a government-created non-profit institution in the United States, that was founded in 1964 under the same congressional act that led to the founding of the National Academy of Sciences...
in 1996 where she has served on the program advisory board and election subcommittees. She was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
American Academy of Arts and Sciences
The American Academy of Arts and Sciences is an independent policy research center that conducts multidisciplinary studies of complex and emerging problems. The Academy’s elected members are leaders in the academic disciplines, the arts, business, and public affairs.James Bowdoin, John Adams, and...
in 2003.
She has served on the National Research Council
United States National Research Council
The National Research Council of the USA is the working arm of the United States National Academies, carrying out most of the studies done in their names.The National Academies include:* National Academy of Sciences...
's study groups that generate assessment reports on various technology topics of national interest and was a member of National Research Council’s Committee on Globalization (2004). She served on the board of directors for the Industrial Research Institute, the National Inventors Hall of Fame
National Inventors Hall of Fame
The National Inventors Hall of Fame is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to recognizing, honoring and encouraging invention and creativity through the administration of its programs. The Hall of Fame honors the men and women responsible for the great technological advances that make human,...
and to a Laboratory Operations Board for the Department of Energy
United States Department of Energy
The United States Department of Energy is a Cabinet-level department of the United States government concerned with the United States' policies regarding energy and safety in handling nuclear material...
for the US Government. Dr. Chowdhry is a member of the National Committee on Women in Science and Engineering sponsored by both the National Academies of Science and Engineering since 1999. She was appointed to the Laboratory Operations Board for the U.S. Department of Energy, Washington, D.C. in 2002. Dr. Chowdhry has served on advisory boards of engineering schools at MIT
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MIT has five schools and one college, containing a total of 32 academic departments, with a strong emphasis on scientific and technological education and research.Founded in 1861 in...
, University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
, Princeton University
Princeton University
Princeton University is a private research university located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. The school is one of the eight universities of the Ivy League, and is one of the nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution....
and the University of Delaware
University of Delaware
The university is organized into seven colleges:* College of Agriculture and Natural Resources* College of Arts and Sciences* Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics* College of Earth, Ocean and Environment* College of Education and Human Development...
. She was elected to the board of trustees for Christiana Care Health Services in Delaware in 2003. Uma will receive the 2011 Earle B. Barnes Award for Leadership in Chemical Research Management from the American Chemical Society
American Chemical Society
The American Chemical Society is a scientific society based in the United States that supports scientific inquiry in the field of chemistry. Founded in 1876 at New York University, the ACS currently has more than 161,000 members at all degree-levels and in all fields of chemistry, chemical...
.
She and her husband, Vinay Chowdhry, reside in Wilmington, Delaware.