Discover the groundbreaking work of Clarice Phelps, the first Black woman to contribute to the periodic table. A trailblazer in diversity and STEM
In the realm of scientific breakthroughs, the periodic table stands as an immutable symbol of our understanding of the building blocks of matter. However, the history of this iconic table was rewritten in 2022, thanks to the remarkable contributions of Clarice Phelps, a graduate of Tennessee State University (TSU).
Phelps made history by becoming the first Black woman to play a pivotal role in the discovery of a new element, now known as Tennessine (Ts), situated at number 117 in the periodic table and classified as a halogen. Phelps’ journey towards this groundbreaking achievement spans over two decades, rooted in her early fascination with chemistry.
Growing up in Nashville, she dived into scientific experimentation in her kitchen, armed with a microscope gifted by her mother. Her passion for science continued to blossom in high school, leading her to pursue a bachelor’s degree in chemistry at TSU in 2003.
Eager to further her knowledge, Phelps pursued a master’s degree in Nuclear and Radiation Engineering at UT Austin. Her commitment to the field took her to the Navy, where she applied her chemistry expertise to work with radioactive materials for four years. Following this, she joined the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, focusing on the purification of chemicals.
These purified substances played a crucial role in the production of atomic number 117 (Ts) and were shipped to Germany and Russia for this purpose. In 2016, the scientific community officially acknowledged the addition of Tennessine to the periodic table. However, it wasn’t until 2019, when the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) recognized Phelps, that she discovered she had achieved a historic milestone as the first Black woman to contribute to a periodic table discovery.
In an interview with TSU, Phelps reflected on her disbelief upon learning about her groundbreaking accomplishment. However, she quickly shifted her perspective, thinking about her younger self desperately seeking inspiration in the scientific world. This realization fueled her commitment to making a lasting impact on underrepresented communities in the scientific field.
Currently pursuing her doctorate in Nuclear Engineering, Phelps remains hopeful that her historic discovery will serve as a catalyst for change within the scientific community. She envisions a future where her achievement inspires a new generation of scientists from diverse backgrounds, breaking down barriers and fostering a more inclusive and representative scientific landscape.
As she eloquently stated, “Being able to see something of themselves, to feel the common struggles that I share in this journey, to know the common invisibility of our impact on the scientific community, will be significant.” Clarice Phelps has not only etched her name into the periodic table but has also opened doors for others to follow in her groundbreaking footsteps.
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