Victor R. McCrary is a trailblazing chemist and science policy leader, serving as Vice Chair of the National Science Board and a faculty member at the University of the District of Columbia. With a distinguished career spanning national security research, STEM workforce development, and federal advisory roles, he has shaped science and technology policy while championing diversity and innovation in the scientific community.
Experience
Education
Doctorate of Philosophy in Chemistry, Howard University Master of Engineering in Engineering Technology Management, University of Pennsylvania Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry, The Catholic University of America
Roles
Member, National Science Board (NSB), 2016-28 Vice Chair of the NSB, 2020-26 Member, Executive Committee, Council on Research, Association of Public and Land Grant Universities, 2023-Present Member, External Advisory Board, Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligent Systems, 2021-Present Member, Technical Advisory Board, Applied Research Laboratory, 2017-Present National President, National Organization of Black Chemists & Chemical Engineers, 2007-13
Courses Taught
Playing the Game -Networking & Politics Technology & Public Policy'
Expertise
Research Focus / Works in Progress
National security research & workforce development
Leadership
Vice Chair, National Science Board, 2020-Present Fellow, American Chemical Society, 2014-Present National President, National Organization of Black Chemists & Chemical Engineers, 2007-13
McCrary, V. R. (2022). National Science Board’s vision 2030. Southeastern Regional American Chemical Society, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
McCrary, V. R. (2020). Perils and promise: Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the physical sciences. American Institute of Physics, College Park, Maryland.
McCrary, V. R. (2021). New constructs for science policy. Assembly of Society Officers, American Institute of Physics, Washington, D.C.
McCrary, V. R. (2018). Pathway programs to STEM careers for undergrads. Pathways to Physician Diversity: A National Summit, Phoenix, Arizona.
Selected Grants
Air Force Office of Scientific Research. (2023). Educational partnership agreement for K-12 STEM exposure.
Recognitions
Recipient, Joseph Wharton Award, The Wharton Club of D.C., 2022 Recipient, Distinguished Alumni Award, Howard University Graduate School, 2017 Awarded Annual Distinguished Lecture, The Johns Hopkins University, NOBCChE Student Chapter, 2016 Recipient, Alumni Achievement Award for Research Excellence, The Catholic University of America, 2015 Fellow, The American Chemical Society, 2014 Hall of Fame Inductee, DeMatha Catholic High School, 2013 Member, Learning Engineering & Design Advisory Board, Elizabeth Seton High School, 2013-16 Member, Knights of Columbus, Council 7559, St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, Columbia, Maryland, 1997-Present
Invited Participations
McCrary, V. R. (2023). Speaker. DeMatha Catholic High School Career Day, Hyattsville, Maryland.
McCrary, V. R. (2022). Commencement speaker. Maya Angelou Young Adult Learning Center, Washington, D.C.
McCrary, V. R. (2021). Commencement speaker. Maya Angelou Young Adult Learning Center, Washington, D.C.
McCrary, V. R. (2011). Speaker. Percy Julian Morning of Discovery, Metropolitan A.M.E. Church, Washington, D.C.
