Hello ACA Members,

A big thank you to everyone who shared feedback throughout the annual meeting in Denver and beyond! As your Executive Director, I’m committed to creating a safe and open space where all members can communicate and help make our association better. I want you to know that leadership is listening to your thoughts about communication within the ACA and is actively working to address these concerns. Stay tuned for more updates, but in the meantime, we’re starting to communicate a bit differently at HQ.

Introducing the ACA: Structural Science Society!

The American Crystallographic Association has a long and incredible history. Formed in 1949 by a merger of the Crystallographic Society of America and the American Society for X-ray and Electron Diffraction, the ACA promotes the study of the arrangement of atoms in matter. Even in the group’s first form, we wanted to offer a "home" for chemists, mineralogists, and physicists and now, more than fifty years later, the ACA is still evolving to welcome all structural science disciplines to the society.

Realizing that the ACA membership was growing to include non-crystallographers practicing structural science, in 2021 ACA Council voted to add “The Structural Science Society” as a tagline to the traditional ACA logo. This change prompted the search for a new logo that would better reflect all scientists determining atomic-scale structure, not only those practicing crystallography and established the ACA Logo Committee.

Hello Structural Science Friends! 

With the start of the new year we welcome a whole new group of ACA volunteers. The ACA is so lucky to have the most amazing and dedicated members who are always eager to volunteer in some capacity. Every year, when we elect and appoint new members to Council, Committees and SIGs, I am inspired by the enthusiasm and dedication demonstrated by these members.

Dear ACA Members, Colleagues & Friends:

Structure Matters! After several years with the ACA I can tell you that “structure” takes all forms. Most, in this group, are familiar with this term as it relates to the study of “the structure of matter at atomic (or near atomic) resolution” however, the ACA is also a structure. In terms of structure, the ACA is a strong association with a long history and a bright future. I am both honored and excited to take on the role of Executive Director and to join forces with such a passionate, dedicated group of members.