It is with great sadness that the ACA shares the passing of longtime ACA member Dr. Ian David Brown, who died peacefully on June 29, 2026, at the age of 94. Known simply as David to his friends and colleagues, he leaves behind an extraordinary legacy that has shaped the field of crystallography for generations.
Celebrating Excellence in Structural Dynamics: Elina Elvelo Recognized at the 2026 BCA Meeting
The ACA Newsletter, a.k.a. RefleXions, is a mainstay of communications in the structural sciences community and holds a special place among social media platforms and other background noise. It has evolved since its inception by the esteemed Dr. Jenny Glusker in the 1960’s, including moving from print editions to a digital only format. The latter was spearheaded by previous editor Dr. Paul Swepston and is noted to have saved the society large sums by circumventing printing and mailing charges.
If you’ve attended an ACA meeting, you probably know that I travel with what I jokingly call my “unpaid labor” — also known as family members. What started as immediate family support has evolved, and for the past two years my mother has joined me, faithfully working the registration desk.
The American Crystallographic Association is deeply grateful to Virginia Pett, who is concluding her service as ACA Historian. Virginia’s dedication, care, and steady leadership have played a vital role in preserving the history of our Association and ensuring that ACA’s legacy remains accessible to current and future generations.
The crystallographic community mourns the loss of Dr. Benno P. Schoenborn, who passed away on September 23, 2025, in Phoenix, Arizona.
The ACA community mourns the loss of Dr. David Duchamp, who passed away peacefully at home with his family on August 15, 2025, at the age of 85.
It is with profound sadness that the scientific community announces the passing of George M. Sheldrick, a pioneering crystallographer whose innovative contributions have left an indelible mark on the world of science. Born in 1942, George dedicated his career to advancing the field of crystallography, transforming the way scientists determine and understand molecular structures.
