Meet Dr. Boyd "The Chemist"
Background
Dr. Darryl Boyd is a Polymer Chemist with a background in Inorganic Chemistry (Ph.D.) and Biochemistry (M.S.). He was inspired to build this site by several of his younger relatives whom showed strong interest in science, and who were themselves inspired by Dr. Boyd's scientific career. It is his hope that this site will serve as a fun, educational and inspiring tool for youths who are interested in science, while also serving as a thoughtful and thought-provoking resource for the broader scientific community (adults included).
You can find out more about Dr. Boyd's fun and exciting research by following this link:
http://darrylboydphd.weebly.com/
You can find out more about Dr. Boyd's fun and exciting research by following this link:
http://darrylboydphd.weebly.com/
Selected Honors
2026 – Elected Fellow – Washington Academy of Sciences
2025 – Internship Program Leadership & Mentor Award – US Naval Research Laboratory
2023 – Lloyd Ferguson Distinguished Lecturer – Cal State LA
2021 – Admiral Michelle Howard Legacy Award – BEYA STEM Global Competitiveness Conference
2020 – Distinguished Alumni –
Purdue University College of Science
2019 – SPIE DCS Rising Researcher – SPIE, International Society for Optics & Photonics
2018 – C&EN Talented 12 –
Chemical & Engineering News
2016 – Lloyd N. Ferguson Young Scientist Award – NOBCChE National Award
Focus Areas
Dr. Boyd participates in science events and leads STEM-focused workshops throughout the country. These efforts have taken him to cities in various states all around the USA. He also has standing contracts as a STEM instructor at multiple institutions such as the Roots Public Charter School in Washington, DC, where he serves as the monthly Science Teacher, and the Transformational Education Adventure Center (aka The TEA Center) in McLean, VA, where he has served as the STEM Instructor for the yearly STEM Summer Camp.
Dr. Boyd enjoys performing this service as it grants him the opportunity to inspire children to take interest in the STEM fields.
Dr. Boyd In Your Community
2025
Dr. Boyd served as the Keynote Speaker at the closing banquet for the US National Chemistry Olympiad Team. This team will represent the USA at the international competition.
Dr. Boyd delivering his message of encouragement to the USNCO Team.
Dr. Janice Reutt-Robey, the former Chemistry Dept Chair at the University of Maryland - College Park, also attended the USNCO banquet. The USNCO camp was held at the "Maryland" campus.
Doing a simple acid-base demonstration for the students at Apple Grove Elementary School.
Honored to serve and bring Chemistry to the students at Apple Grove Elementary School on Career Day.
Dr. Boyd explains what it means to be a Chemist to students at Apple Grove Elementary School outside of DC.
The Theresa Sondra Jacobs Foundation brought their Star Wars themed STEM truck to Roots Public Charter School. The students loved it!
Dr. Boyd poses with one of the live-action Star Wars themed characters from The Theresa Sondra Jacobs Foundation.
The NE/SE NOBCChE Regional Conference took place at the University of Maryland - College Park. All the talks and events were well-attended and stellar.
2024
Dr. Boyd was invited to The Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering at North Carolina A&T. He spent time with the students, professors and delivered a presentation on polymers.
While at the Annual Spring Meeting of the American Chemical Society in New Orleans, Dr. Boyd met up with his doctoral advisor, Purdue Professor Tong Ren.
While attending a presentation by Dr. Sibrina Collins at the Spring ACS Meeting, Dr. Boyd got a much appreciated & unexpected "shout out."
2020
Dr. Boyd really got the attention of the students at the Roots Public Charter School in DC with his presentation about Outer Space. Just look at those expressions.
During his invited visit to the University of Akron as a Polymer Advanced Materials Lecturer, Dr. Boyd made time to meet with the Graduate Students & Postdocs. The students discussed their experiences with Dr. Boyd, and asked him about his journey to his current role.
In his role as CSW President, Dr. Boyd got to award these excellent students from the DC area with College Achievement Awards from the Chemical Society of Washington (DC).
The students from the William & Mary College NOBCChE Chapter invited Dr. Boyd to the campus to discuss their academic journeys, and to present his research. The students were top-notch in terms of their research, and in terms of their social awareness!
Planning for the 2020 NOBCChE National Meeting with these wonderful people. Looking for another awesome conference!
Dr. Boyd poses with American Chemical Society CEO, Dr. Tom Connelly, after Dr. Connelly's presentation at the 1st Chemical Society of Washington (CSW) meeting of 2020. Dr. Boyd is the 2020 President of CSW.
2019
Lunchtime discussion about career paths with CALCIUM students at the University of Michigan.
Pre-seminar fun with some of the CALCIUM students.
Post-seminar fun with some of the CALCIUM students.
Dr. Boyd having an end of the summer lunch with his wonderful Summer research student from Howard University. Her efforts during the summer internship will soon grace the pages of a peer-reviewed journal.
Making DNA replica molecules with these two brilliant kids (aka Dr. Boyd's nephew and niece) using candy. Make sure to check out the video they made with their Uncle Darryl called "Sweet Molecules."
On July 20, 1969, man 1st set foot on the Moon. Dr. Boyd attended this wonderful event commemorating the Moon landing on the National Mall in Washington, DC.
Dr. Boyd had the honor of being invited to be the Keynote Commencement Speaker for the Chemistry Department at his Alma Mater, The University of Michigan.
Dr. Boyd giving his opening remarks at the University of Michigan Chemistry Commencement Ceremony.
Posing with the Chemistry Department faculty members prior to the 2019 Commencement Ceremony.
The students at Roots Public Charter School had fun making a Pulley and learning about the six 'simple machines.'
The TEA Center Summer Camp students spent some time learning about diffusion and the effect temperature can have.
Before the new session began, the TEA Center Summer Camp students had to review what they learned about plants the previous day.
Dr. Boyd pictured with some of the students he teaches at the Roots Public Charter School
This Chemical Society of Washington sponsored panel was an opportunity for professionals to field questions from High School students who were in the Project SEED program.
The TEA Center STEM students got to explain the Elephant Toothpaste demonstration to their parents while Dr. Boyd performed it during the end of the school year recital.
The RadLaunch Future Researcher Award is presented to an exceptional young inventor on behalf of RadTech's RadLaunch initiative. She's only in 8th grade and has already filed for a patent based on water purification technology!
Dr. Boyd receives a plaque for being named to the 2019 Class of SPIE DCS 'Rising Researchers.'
Dr. Boyd presents the inaugural Equity, Diversity and Inclusion lecture at the SPIE DCS conference in Baltimore, MD.
STEM students at the TEA Center having fun with the "Elephant Toothpaste" demonstration.
Dr. Boyd received an Edison Patent Award from the Naval Research Lab along with his co-inventors for a recent patent that was issued.
An explanation and demonstration about friction and static electricity (using a balloon and an empty soda can) for the TEA Center STEM class.
Dr. Boyd 'manning the table' for NOBCChE at the US Congress' celebration of the International Year of the Periodic Table at the Raeburn Building in Washington, DC.
Extracting iron from breakfast cereal with some of the girls at Roots Charter Public School in Washington, DC.
Extracting iron from breakfast cereal with some of the boys at Roots Charter Public School in Washington, DC.
TEA Center STEM students learning about surface tension by using dish liquid to displace food coloring situated on milk.
A chance encounter with the wonderful C&EN Deputy Editorial Director Lauren Wolf at the 2019 AAAS Meeting.
Dr. Boyd being interviewed by a future scientist at the 2019 AAAS meeting in Washington, DC.
Dr. Boyd had the chance to answer questions posed by youngsters about what it's like to be a scientist at the 2019 AAAS meeting in Washington, DC
Dr. Siri Carpenter (middle) and Dr. Jennifer Cutraro (right) organized the "Interview a Scientist" at the 2019 AAAS Meeting. Dr. Boyd (left) participated with several other stellar scientists.
Dr. Boyd does some exciting dry ice demonstrations for children and their parents at the Kent Gardens Elementary School STEM Fair.
Planning session for the 2019 Conference of the National Organization of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers that will take place November 18-21 in St. Louis, MO.
Learning about liquid densities with STEM class students at the Transformational Education Adventure Center.
NOBCChE National Student Representative Dr. Victoria Parker and fellow US Naval Research Lab employee Dr. Treva Brown pose for a picture with Dr. Boyd at the 2019 American Chemical Society Leadership Conference in Atlanta, GA.
2018
Volunteering with the Chemical Society of Washington during National Chemistry Week. More than 80 young future scientists showed up for lots of chemistry fun.
Dr. Boyd catching a moment with his Fall Lego Engineering class at the Transformational Education Adventure Center.
NOBCChE Conference attendees volunteered and did fun science experiments with Tangelo Park Elementary School students in the Tangelo Park Neighborhood of Orlando.
Central Florida philanthropist and hotel chain owner, Mr. Harris Rosen, stopped by to greet Dr. Boyd at his Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel, which was the site of the 2018 NOBCChE National Conference.
Dr. Boyd and his wife pose with Surgeon Professor Cato Laurencin following the Percy L. Julian Luncheon.
American Chemical Society CEO, Dr. Tom Connelly (left) always attends the NOBCChE Conference.
Dr. Boyd and his wife with T12 Class Member Jose Rodriguez (left) and 2015 MacArthur Fellow, Professor William Dichtel (right) at the T12 Luncheon.
2018 C&EN Talented 12 Group Photo.
Dr. Boyd and his wife posing with 2016 Nobel Laureate Sir J. Fraser Stoddart at the T12 Luncheon.
Dr. Boyd moments after delivery his C&EN Talented 12 talk. The morning also included informative talks delivered by the other Talented 12 Honorees.
A candid moment captured with 2008 NOBCChE Percy Julian Awardee Dr. Sharon Haynie at the Fall 2018 American Chemical Society Meeting in Boston.
Fun at the C&EN Talented 12 "Reveal"
Certificate from the Chemical Society of Washington (CSW) for participating in the ACS Project SEED Program.
A CSW sponsored panel discussion on careers in science for Project SEED students.
Dr. Boyd, and CSW President Allison Aldridge, discuss career paths for High School students interested in science in small groups.
Dr. Boyd recently had the privilege of serving on the External Advisory Board (EAB) in the Chemistry Department of Purdue University. The EAB is a group of Purdue Chemistry PhD Alumni from underrepresented minority groups who are selected by current Purdue Chemistry graduate students to give counsel on how to navigate the graduate school process.
A candid moment with fellow UV+EB Magazine Board members from Colorado Photopolymerization Solutions at the RadTech 2018 Conference.
Preparing to judge poster and podium presentations at the annual Howard University Research Symposium.
Doing fun experiments for children alongside fellow NRL colleagues at the 2018 USA Science & Engineering Festival.
Chemical Safety Board (CSB) member Maurice Hawthorne (left) and Chairperson Vanessa Sutherland (center) pose alongside Dr. Boyd following his Black History Month presentation to the CSB.
Dr. Boyd gave a presentation on the contributions of Black Chemists to science before the US Chemical Safety Board in Washington, DC. The presentation was given on behalf of NOBCChE.
Dr. Boyd performed simple science experiments through Facebook Live with Hillside Elementary School in Roswell, Georgia, inspiring STEM education with Hillside students as they watched as a part of the school’s Innovators Program.
A quick picture with Johns Hopkins University Professor and Oxide Director Rigoberto Hernandez following his riveting presentation to the Chemical Society of Washington.
Dr. Boyd working alongside members of the NOBCChE 2018 National Planning Committee.
2017
Dr. Boyd poses with 2 of his students at the semester ending celebration at the TEA Center.
Post-awards banquet photo at the 2017 NOBCChE National Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Working in the lab with his HBCU-MI Summer Research student from North Carolina A&T.
Dr. Boyd with his HBCU-MI Summer Research student at the US Naval Research Laboratory. Her research was recently published in Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research (DOI:10.1021/acs.iecr.8b00856).
Learning about polymers by making slime with students at the Transformational Education Adventure Center. Whose slime looks cooler?
The yearly pose with ACS mascot, Professor Molenium
Dr. Boyd proudly wearing his 'Chemistry Ambassador' ribbon at the Fall 2017 ACS Meeting
Having fun at the Fall 2017 ACS National Meeting in DC. See what "I" did there?
A chance meeting with U of Maryland ACS student chapter members at the Fall 2017 ACS National Meeting in DC
Explaining what a chemist does and fielding questions about science from children while volunteering at the Transformational Education Adventure Center (the TEA Center) in McLean, VA
Dr. Boyd explains solar eclipses to children at the TEA center while wearing ISO certified Solar Eclipse glasses
Dr. Boyd meeting with graduate students in the Engineering School at the University of Pittsburgh
Volunteering at Pittsburgh's Ronald McDonald House alongside fellow NOBCChE Members as a part of the NExM Regional Meeting
Preparing fun experiments for the children at Ronald McDonald House in Pittsburgh
Pre-research seminar discussion about careers in research science with undergraduate students at the University of Maryland, College Park
2016
Dr. Boyd having fun at the 2016 ACS Meeting in Philadelphia
2016 National Chemistry Week activities at John Eaton Elementary School in Washington, DC
Dr. Boyd with graduate students at the 2016 NOBCChE National Conference in Raleigh, NC
Speaking with graduate students at Ohio State University following a discussion on 'What you should be getting out of Graduate School'