The ACS Division of Professional Relations (PROF) is honored to recognize Dr. Cary Supalo as the 2026 Henry Hill Award recipient. The Henry Hill Award recognizes persons who have served the chemical sciences profession in the area of professional relations in a unique and distinguished manner.
Cary completed his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the Pennsylvania State University in 2010. He is totally blind since the age of seven. While he encountered many barriers to access along his path to becoming a chemistry professor and access technology innovator. Cary is recognized for his outstanding contributions to empowering blind scientists to independently conduct science through the innovation of accessibility tools. He is the Founder and President of the award-winning innovative accessibility R&D company Independence Science, a team of blind scientists who develop accessibility solution in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) enterprise and ecosystem.
“Cary has demonstrated himself to be a capable chemist and a creative and inspirational new product inventor,” Jason Lye shared in his support of Cary’s award recognition.
He also has an outstanding record of service to the American Chemical Society, across the at the local, divisional, regional, and national levels. Cary is part of the Chair succession for ACS PROF and currently serves as the Chair-Elect.
The Division is organizing the symposium, “Pathways to Inclusion and Excellence: Transforming Our Chemistry Enterprise, in honor of Dr. Cary A. Supalo, Blind Chemist, 2026 Henry Hill Award recipient” for the ACS Fall Meeting in Chicago, IL. Join us in celebrating Cary’s achievements in Chicago, August 23-27, 2026.
