Professor Nicholas Ball Joins Beckman Foundation Scientific Advisory Council (SAC)
Former Beckman Scholar Awardee to Advise on Scientific Program Evaluation, Review and Development
IRVINE, Calif. (June 29, 2026) – The Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation welcomes Dr. Nicholas Ball, former Beckman Scholar and current Pomona College Professor of Chemistry (promotion effective July 1, 2026), to its Scientific Advisory Council (SAC). The SAC works closely with the Foundation’s Board of Directors to provide advice on scientific program evaluation, review and development.
As an undergraduate at Macalester College, he was named a Beckman Scholar in 2003 and conducted research on “Scope and Limitations of a Modified Sonogashira Cross-coupling Protocol: Development of Synthetic Orthogonality.” Today, the Ball Laboratory at Pomona College focuses on developing new metal-catalyzed/-mediated organic reactions and introducing methodologies to make and activate sulfur (VI) fluorides for use as more air and water stable alternatives to traditional synthesis of sulfur-based organic molecules employed in synthesis, medicinal chemistry and materials. The objective is to develop predictive computational tools to help predict if reactions will occur (machine learning) and use light and electricity to make organic compounds. Dr. Ball has also served as a mentor to Beckman Scholars in his own lab.
“Being a Beckman Scholar and then a Beckman Scholar mentor, the Foundation has been instrumental to my development as a scientist and educator. It has been my honor to give back and serve the Foundation in numerous roles. In my new role as a SAC member, I am thrilled to be working with exceptional colleagues, staff, and the Board in our continued innovation of supporting and recognizing excellent science and scientists.
Dr. Ball’s commitment to advancing the Beckman Foundation has been demonstrated through his service not only to the Beckman Scholars Program as an awardee and mentor, but also on review committees. Additionally, he has served as a member of the Foundation’s Steering Committee, working to ensure Foundation programs are inclusive and accessible to all eligible applicants.
About the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation
Located in Irvine, California, the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation supports researchers and nonprofit research institutions in making the next generation of breakthroughs in chemistry and the life sciences. Founded in 1977 by 20th century scientific instrumentation pioneer Dr. Arnold O. Beckman, the Foundation supports United States institutions and young scientists whose creative, high-risk, and interdisciplinary research will lead to innovations and new tools and methods for scientific discovery. For more information, visit beckman-foundation.org.
###
Download a pdf of the press release here:
Press Contact:
Kaerie Ray, Communications Director
(949) 560-4232, [email protected]
