Melanie Sanford’s route from college gymnast to groundbreaking researcher

Melanie Sanford, an organometallic chemist at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, US, remembers standing in front of her elementary school classroom around 40 years ago, wearing a pink Jordache dress and representing then-US vice presidential candidate Geraldine Ferraro – the first woman to be nominated for such a role – in a mock class debate. Sanford delivered passionate arguments in favour of the Walter Mondale–Ferraro ticket. Back then, her aspiration was to be the first female president of the US. This remains technically possible following the 2024 election, but for now she is shattering glass ceilings in the world of chemistry.