Willie E. May | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology | |
| In office May 4, 2015 – January 3, 2017 | |
| President | Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | Patrick D. Gallagher |
| Succeeded by | Walter Copan |
| 8th Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology | |
| In office May 4, 2015 – January 3, 2017 | |
| President | Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | Patrick D. Gallagher |
| Succeeded by | Walter Copan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Birmingham, Alabama, United States |
| Alma mater | Knoxville College |
| Awards | Department of Commerce Gold Medal Department of Commerce Silver Medal Department of Commerce Bronze Medal |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Analytical chemistry |
| Institutions | National Institute of Standards and Technology |
| Thesis | The solubility behavior of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons in aqueous systems (1977) |
| Doctoral advisor | David H. Freeman |
Willie E. May is an American chemist who was director of the United States' National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the U.S. Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology. He has been active in international organizations, collaborating with others in Brazil, China, and the European Union.[1]
May has made important contributions to measurement science, with application to national and global problems including global warming and food security. He was involved in assessing baseline hydrocarbon levels in Prince William Sound prior to the building of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System. He has developed protocols for the collection of environmental samples suitable for trace organic analysis, including techniques in liquid chromatography.[1]
- ^ a b Turner, James M. (February 20, 2008). "African-American Technological Contributions: Past, Present, and Future". NIST. Retrieved 12 November 2018.