For Dr. Sharon L. Neal ’76, a career in science has never been solely about discoveries in the laboratory. It has also been about opening doors, building communities, and helping future generations of scientists find their place in the field. An analytical chemist and Associate Professor Emerita in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Delaware, Dr. Neal has spent decades advancing the field of chemical data science while championing diversity and inclusion within the scientific community.

 

Her journey began with a love of chemistry and a commitment to exploration. After graduating from Baldwin, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from Spelman College. Research experiences at Spelman, Cornell University, and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory fueled her passion for scientific inquiry and inspired her to pursue graduate study. She went on to earn her Ph.D. from Emory University in 1988, becoming an early adopter of advanced statistical analysis techniques in chemistry, and later completed postdoctoral research at the University of Washington.

 

Before beginning her doctoral studies, Dr. Neal spent two years working at The Coca-Cola Company, an experience that helped shape her future career path. “My experience as a bachelor’s level chemist in industry solidified my desire for work requiring creativity and independence,” she explains. “It strengthened my conviction that I needed and wanted an advanced degree.” The exposure to sophisticated analytical methods in a well-equipped laboratory also provided a strong foundation for the teaching and research career that followed.

 

Over the years, Dr. Neal held faculty positions at Spelman College and the University of California, Riverside, before joining the University of Delaware in 1998. There, she built a distinguished research program focused on developing chemical measurement techniques that use light to identify molecules and computational methods to separate complex chemical signals.

 

In simple terms, Dr. Neal describes her work as combining chemistry, light, and data analysis to better understand how molecules behave in complicated systems. Her research helped scientists investigate processes ranging from photodynamic therapy drug degradation to the weathering of quantum dots used in modern display technologies.

 

Her work has been widely published in scientific journals and reference volumes, and she continues to contribute to the field as an Editorial Board Member for Applied Spectroscopy: Practica. Beyond her research accomplishments, Dr. Neal has devoted significant time to scientific service and mentorship. She served as a program officer at the National Science Foundation, helping guide research funding decisions, and has held leadership roles in numerous professional organizations, including the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers.

 

Throughout her career, she has remained focused on creating pathways for underrepresented scientists. While she acknowledges that progress has been made, she believes meaningful change requires more than increasing representation. “Training scientists doesn’t just require the transmission of specific knowledge and skills,” she says. “It requires socialization and incorporation into networks where a scientist’s work becomes part of the dialogue around the questions entertained in their field.”

 

Among her many honors, Dr. Neal was recognized in 2020 as one of Cell Mentor’s “1,000 Inspiring Black Scientists,” and in 2025 her story was preserved in The HistoryMakers oral history archive.

 

Yet when asked about the most rewarding moments of her career, her answer is not a prestigious award or groundbreaking publication. “One of the most rewarding experiences of my career occurred when a research student surprised me with a reaction, an insight, that showed me they were thinking deeply about our work,” she says.

 

Likewise, the advice she shares with aspiring scientists reflects the wisdom gained through decades of experience. “Celebrate every win,” she encourages. “Don’t dismiss the small steps that move you toward your goal; the joy you cultivate on the way gives you the strength to weather the hard times and positions you to enjoy the milestones.”

 

Now retired from full-time teaching, Dr. Neal continues to support the scientific community through mentorship and advocacy. She remains passionate about expanding the use of data science in chemistry and helping younger scientists navigate the challenges and opportunities of their careers.

 

As she reflects on her legacy, Dr. Neal hopes she has helped challenge assumptions and broaden perspectives. “I hope that my legacy will be that a few more people learned that they were wrong to fear that having people like me in the research lab and in the classroom would undermine the quality of science and education in our institutions.”