Victor R. McCrary Jr. (born May 16, 1955) is an American physical chemist who is vice provost for national security innovation at The Catholic University of America.[1] He is a fellow of the American Chemical Society, former president of the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers and current chair of the National Science Board.[2]
Early life and education
McCrary was born and raised in Washington, D.C.[3] He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in chemistry from the Catholic University of America, a PhD in chemistry from Howard University, and a Master of Science in engineering and technology management from the University of Pennsylvania.[4]
Career
After earning his doctorate, McCrary joined Bell Labs as a member of the technical team. In 1995 he joined the National Institute of Standards and Technology, where he led convergent systems.[5]
McCrary joined Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory in 2003.[6] In 2007, he was made President at the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE).[7] McCrary worked as vice chancellor at the University of Tennessee and as the inaugural vice president of research and economic development at Morgan State University.[3] McCrary also served as vice president of research at the University of the District of Columbia
In October 2016 McCary was appointed to the National Science Board.[8] He was made vice chair in July 2020.[3] In August 2025, McCrary was named chair.[9]
Personal life
McCrary is Catholic, a long-time member of the Knights of Columbus, and parishioner at Saint John the Evangelist in Columbia, Maryland.[citation needed]
Awards and honors
- 1990 Most Promising Black Engineer, U.S. Black Engineer Magazine
- 1992 Pioneer of the Year Award, National Society of Black Engineers
- 1992 Outstanding Technical Achievement, Synergy Conference, AT&T Bell Laboratories
- 1996 Distinguished Lecturer, 60th College of Distinguished Lecturers, Sigma-Xi Scientific Society
- 1998 Equal Employment Opportunity Award, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
- 2000 Gold Medal, Department of Commerce
- 2002 Percy L. Julian Award[10]
- 2005 Principal Professional Staff, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory[11]
- 2006 Rays of Hope 2006 Award Recipient, Engineering/Science, 13th Annual Rays of Hope Awards
- 2006 Economic Development Achievement Award, Howard County Economic Development Authority,
- 2007 DVDA Hall of Fame Inductee, DVD Association
- 2007 DVD Association DVD Hall of Fame[12][13]
- 2008 Innovator of Technology Award, Washington, D.C. Chapter, National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)[14]
- 2009 Fellow, African Scientific Institute[11]
- 2011 Scientist of the Year, Black Engineer of the Year Awards[15]
- 2011 Black Engineer of the Year Awards Scientist of the Year[16]
- 2012 Mother Mary Lange Service Award, Archdiocese of Baltimore[17]
- 2012 Diversity Recognition Award, The Johns Hopkins University Diversity Leadership Council[18]
- 2012 Hall of Fame Inductee, Career Communications Group
- 2013 Hall of Fame Inductee, DeMatha Catholic High School[19]
- 2014 Fellow, The American Chemical Society[20]
- 2015 Alumni Achievement Award for Research Excellence, The Catholic University of America
- 2017 Distinguished Alumni Award, Howard University Graduate School
- 2022 Joseph Wharton Award, The Wharton Club of DC
Select publications
- Lee, Kyong-Ho; Slattery, Oliver; Lu, Richang; Tang, Xiao; McCrary, Victor (2002). “The State of the Art and Practice in Digital Preservation”. Journal of Research of the National Institute of Standards and Technology. 107 (1): 93–106. doi:10.6028/jres.107.010. ISSN 1044-677X. PMC 4865277. PMID 27446721.
- McCaulley, J. A.; McCrary, V. R.; Donnelly, V. M. (1989). “Laser-induced decomposition of triethylgallium and trimethylgallium adsorbed on gallium arsenide(100)”. The Journal of Physical Chemistry. 93 (3): 1148–1158. doi:10.1021/j100340a026. ISSN 0022-3654.
- Lee, Kyong-Ho; Guttenberg, Nicholas; McCrary, Victor (2002-07-01). “Standardization aspects of eBook content formats”. Computer Standards & Interfaces. 24 (3): 227–239. doi:10.1016/S0920-5489(02)00032-6. ISSN 0920-5489.
References
- ^ “Victor McCrary, Chairman of National Science Board, Named Vice Provost at Catholic University”. Catholic University News. Catholic University. Retrieved 8 March 2026.
- ^ Lymn, Nadine. “National Science Board elects new leadership”. National Science Foundation. Retrieved 8 March 2026.
- ^ a b c Staff, T. N. J. (2020-07-01). “Victor McCrary Named New Vice Chair of the National Science Board”. The Network Journal. Retrieved 2020-08-16.
- ^ “Victor McCrary’s Biography”. The HistoryMakers. Retrieved 2022-05-04.
- ^ “Victor McCrary’s Biography”. The HistoryMakers. Retrieved 2020-08-16.
- ^ “National Science Board”. National Science Board. Retrieved 2022-05-09.
- ^ “Victor McCrary Takes The Helm At NOBCChE”. Chemical & Engineering News. Retrieved 2020-08-16.
- ^ “National Science Board”. National Science Board. Retrieved 2020-08-16.
- ^ Lymn, Nadine. “National Science Board elects new leadership”. National Science Foundation.
- ^ “Percy Julian Distinguished Lecture”. www.nobcche.org. Archived from the original on 2024-02-22. Retrieved 2020-08-16.
- ^ a b “Black Engineers Name APL’s McCrary Top Scientist | Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory”. www.jhuapl.edu. Retrieved 2023-06-12.
- ^ “ATE Keynote Speakers”. AACC. 26 October 2017. Retrieved 2020-08-16.
- ^ “2008 nnol winter”. Issuu. 30 July 2015. Archived from the original on 2023-02-28. Retrieved 2020-08-16.
- ^ admin (2008-01-25). “On the Move | Maryland Daily Record”. Retrieved 2023-06-12.
- ^ “Victor R. McCrary | NSF – National Science Foundation”. www.nsf.gov. Archived from the original on 2023-06-12. Retrieved 2023-06-12.
- ^ “BEYA’s 2011 Scientist of the Year appointed Vice Chair of the National Science Board”. US Black Engineer. 16 May 2020. Retrieved 2020-08-16.
- ^ “BALTIMORE ARCHBISHOP MAKES HISTORIC VISIT TO MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY”. Morgan State University Newsroom. Retrieved 2023-06-12.
- ^ “2012 Diversity Awards”. Diversity at JHU. Retrieved 2023-06-12.
- ^ “Dematha Catholic High School Hall of Fame” (PDF).
- ^ “Victor R. McCrary Jr. Named a Fellow of the American Chemical Society”. The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education. 2014-08-06. Retrieved 2023-06-12.