Education
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July 23, 2007 - Volume 85, Number 30
- Web Exclusive
Overcoming Disabilities
Legally Blind And Deaf, Graduate Student Nears Completion Of His Ph.D.
Linda Wang
Web Resources
Online Information For The Blind Or Visually Impaired
- Independent Laboratory Access for the Blind
[http://ilab.psu.edu]
A source of information on laboratory tools and techniques being developed for blind students by Pennsylvania State University, Truman State University, and the Indiana School for the Blind & Visually Impaired - National Center for Blind Youth in Science
www.blindscience.org
A clearinghouse of science, technology, engineering, and math resources for blind youth and their parents and teachers - National Federation of the Blind
www.nfb.org
An organization of blind people working to improve the lives of blind people through advocacy, education, research, technology, and programs encouraging independence and self-confidence - American Foundation for the Blind
www.afb.org
A nonprofit organization that supports the development of tools and technology for the blind and that promotes independent and healthy living for people with vision loss - TAEVIS at Purdue University
www.taevisonline.purdue.edu
A service that provides academic tools for students who are blind, are visually impaired, or have other vision-related disabilities - gh LLC
www.ghbraille.com
An assistive technology company that helps people with visual disabilities access information, whether the source is a textbook, publication, standardized test, or website - ACS Committee on Chemists with Disabilities
membership.acs.org/c/cwd
A committee of the American Chemical Society that promotes educational and professional opportunities for individuals with disabilities who are interested in pursuing careers in chemistry and in fields requiring knowledge of chemistry
Standing in the elevator of the chemistry building at the University of Albany, I'm not sure what to expect. Before I reach the third floor, the doors open and doctoral student Christopher C. Wells walks in; we look at each other knowingly and smile. When the doors open again on the third floor, Wells motions for me to follow him as he zips down the hall to his lab.

At 5 feet 3 inches tall, Wells's small frame belies the energy within. When we reach his computer, he turns on the terminal and types, "Hello, Linda. How are you today?" in 28-point font. "My interpreter couldn't find a parking spot right away but will be coming in soon." Wells, 28, is legally blind, deaf, and mute as a result of complications from being born prematurely. He says his disabilities made studying chemistry as an undergraduate "a considerable challenge," but he learned to maximize his strengths and graduated from Siena College, in Loudonville, N.Y., with a bachelor's degree in chemistry and a minor in mathematics.
In his graduate work, he has found his niche in computational chemistry. While his colleagues run experiments at the bench, Wells is at the computer solving a complex mathematical equation or using a theoretical modeling program to test an experimental nanodevice that he designed.
For his doctoral thesis, Wells is investigating the role of aromatic molecules in nanotechnology. In an experiment he recently completed, he converted more than 25 metals into electrode materials and tested each for conductivity in a nanodevice containing an arene molecule. Wells, who has coauthored seven papers on his research, communicates with others through writing or his sign language interpreter. His latest findings will be part of his dissertation, which he plans to defend next year.
Wells doesn't let his disabilities stop him from doing the things he loves. Among his hobbies are hiking, sports, playing video games, and drawing structures of natural products (he has over 2,000). He is also an avid reader and, because of his low vision, literally buries his nose in the books. One of his personal goals is to finish writing an autobiographical philosophy book.
After graduation, he would like to find a job as a research scientist in industry or as an academic professor. He admits that he has mixed emotions about leaving the supportive environment of his current lab. But he's ready for the challenge and says new work environments rarely intimidate him. What's more, wherever he ends up, he will provide motivation for others to learn how to adapt, too.
- Seeing the Possibilities
- Blind chemistry students get a taste of independence in the lab
- » Overcoming Disabilities
- Legally Blind And Deaf, Graduate Student Nears Completion Of His Ph.D.
- Awareness
- Teaching The Blind And Visually Impaired Is Not A One-Size-Fits-All Endeavor
- Research Tools
- Studying Protein Structure Can Be A Musical Experience
- Web Resources
- Online Information For The Blind Or Visually Impaired
- Video: Hoping to Make the Cut
- In April, Hopewell Valley Central High School junior Trevor Saunders became the first blind student to qualify for participation in the International Chemistry Olympiad. Watch Saunders complete the lab portion of the exam.
- Photo Gallery: A Day With Blind Students Cary Supalo And Trevor Saunders
- On May 22, C&EN reporter Linda Wang and blind Pennsylvania State University graduate student Cary Supalo (shown) visited Hopewell Valley Central High School, in Pennington, N.J., to document the progress of blind junior Trevor Saunders in using several new assistive tools for the chemistry lab. Here is a selection of the photographs Wang took.
- Chemical & Engineering News
- ISSN 0009-2347
- Copyright © 2011 American Chemical Society
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Articles By Topic
- Seeing the Possibilities
- Blind chemistry students get a taste of independence in the lab
- » Overcoming Disabilities
- Legally Blind And Deaf, Graduate Student Nears Completion Of His Ph.D.
- Awareness
- Teaching The Blind And Visually Impaired Is Not A One-Size-Fits-All Endeavor
- Research Tools
- Studying Protein Structure Can Be A Musical Experience
- Web Resources
- Online Information For The Blind Or Visually Impaired
- Video: Hoping to Make the Cut
- In April, Hopewell Valley Central High School junior Trevor Saunders became the first blind student to qualify for participation in the International Chemistry Olympiad. Watch Saunders complete the lab portion of the exam.
- Photo Gallery: A Day With Blind Students Cary Supalo And Trevor Saunders
- On May 22, C&EN reporter Linda Wang and blind Pennsylvania State University graduate student Cary Supalo (shown) visited Hopewell Valley Central High School, in Pennington, N.J., to document the progress of blind junior Trevor Saunders in using several new assistive tools for the chemistry lab. Here is a selection of the photographs Wang took.