Tennessee Tech student Juliette Brame has been named recipient of the 2026 American Chemical Society Student Leadership Award.
It marks the ninth consecutive year a student from the university has received the national honor. Brame was one of 15 students selected globally for the award based on leadership within the university’s American Chemical Society student chapter.
The award included an invitation to the ACS Leadership Institute in Atlanta for leadership development workshops and networking with professional organization leaders.
“The fact that Tech has had so many students selected for this prestigious award is a testament to the opportunities students have in the chemistry department and the strength of our ACS chapter and its activities,” Department of Chemistry’s Amanda Carroll said.
Brame is a junior chemistry major from Nashville who currently serves as the vice president of the Tennessee Tech ACS student chapter. Tennessee Tech said in a press release that Brame is attending the university on a full-ride merit scholarship funded by the National Science Foundation.
“People often talk about STEM majors as being introverts – and that can be true – but this award made me feel like I’m becoming a more well-rounded person because of the opportunities I’ve been given through the department,” Brame said.
Brame is currently conducting radiochemistry research involving the radioactive element promethium-147 during an internship at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Brame plans to pursue graduate studies in chemistry following her graduation from the university.
“I still have two more years at Tech,” Brame said. “If I’m already doing well enough to receive this award, then I want to keep pushing myself and achieving more. There’s always room to grow.”
Brame cited the support of faculty mentors and the department’s community environment as primary factors in her success. Brame intends to seek future employment at a national laboratory or within the chemical industry.
“Within the chemistry department, all of the faculty have impacted me,” Brame said. “Dr. Dan has pushed me to work harder and challenge myself, while Mrs. Coonce and Dr. Carroll have supported me on a more personal level. I wouldn’t have received this award without the support of the department.”
