Amanda obtained her B.S. in chemistry from the University of Tennessee Knoxville (UTK) in 2015 and a M.S. in computer science from Johns Hopkins University in 2018. During her masters program she continued working with Dr. John Larese (UTK) at the Joint Institute for Advanced Materials (JIAM) in

Knoxville, TN as a visiting graduate student and focused on developing specialized software for large scale data analysis. After finishing school, she went on to work contracts with Oak Ridge National Lab and the National Nuclear Safety Administration (NNSA) creating automated test software. Amanda is currently a senior software engineer at Applied Materials where she works on developing and testing software for large scale semiconductor production.

Amanda first became involved with the American Chemical Society (ACS) during undergrad when she joined the Student Affiliates of the ACS UTK chapter. She was active member of East Tennessee Section of the ACS (ETS-ACS) until moving to Phoenix, AZ in 2020 where she joined CAZACS. In 2023 she volunteered for the local section's executive committee as Chair-Elect and began her term as Chair is 2024.

Her hobbies include gaming, crafting, reading, spending time her partner, and most recently becoming involved with gardening. She is also a member of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), a volunteer judge for the AZ Science and Engineer Fair (AzSEF), and a seed shepherd for the AZ based non-profit Garden Exchange Stands Org.

Meena Rustagi has been employed as a chemistry teacher at Payson High School for sixteen years. In the past she worked as an adjunct instructor, teaching Allied Health Chemistry, at Gila Community College on the Payson Campus.  Meena has a passion and love for innovative methods of teaching chemistry such as learning by doing, an amazing tool to connect science with real world applications. Her interest in science developed while pursuing her bachelor’s degree and led to a major in Biological Sciences and Chemistry. Payson High School Chemistry students, with Meena's guidance, organize an annual Chem-STEM Day to instill and motivate younger students' interest in science with hands-on activities. In her free time, she enjoys doing handicrafts and sewing.

Academic Record: University of Nevada, Reno, Ph.D., 2018, University of

Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, M.Phil., 2008, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, BS, 2000.

Professional Positions (for the past fifteen years): Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott, AZ (2025 – Present), Assistant Professor of Chemistry, West Virginia University at Parkersburg, WV (2018- 2025), Lecturer in Nuclear Sciences, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka (2008 -2010).

Member: ACS from 2010, American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) from 2023.

Related Community Services: Volunteered for K-12 STEM education related

activities organized by ACS Nevada. Volunteered in key levels for K-12 STEM science fairs and science camps organized by Mid-Ohio Valley schools. Advocated high school students for carrier guidance and college education in STEM field. Volunteered as a scholarship review committee member for awarding financial scholarships for high school students to continue college education.

Candidate Statement: I am contesting for the position of Alternate Councilor. With my community experiences, I am passionate to collaborate with the scientific community to continue and promote STEM activities organized by Arizona ACS section.

Professional Experience: 

• 2019 – present    Principal Consultant, JMG Process Solutions LLC

• 1987 – 2019         Process R&D Fellow, Dow Silicones / Dow Corning.

Experienced in product and process development, scale-up, commercialization, and improvement as well as IP management, Contract/Toll Manufacturing, and Mentoring/Coaching for Technical Professionals. 

Education:  PhD ChE, University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign, 1987, M.S. ChE, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, 1985; B.S. ChE, Illinois Institute of Technology, 1983.

ACS Activities:  Member since 1983.  Treasurer for Central Arizona Section 2022 to present.  Member of Midland Section 1987-2020.  Program co-chair for the Midland Section Fall Scientific Meeting, 1995. 

Other Information:  Michigan Catalysis Society 1987-2022, President (2000-01), Vice-President (1999-2000), and Secretary/Treasurer (1998-99).  Publicity and Publication Chair, North American Catalysis Society Meeting, 2011.  Member of AIChE since 1983.  Head Coach, Bay City Western HS Boys JV Soccer team, 2009-2014.

Personal Statement:  I continue to learn about the Central Arizona Section while working to leverage my experiences to engage a broader group of CAZACS members to develop activities of relevance to our section.  As Treasurer for the past four years, I have worked to improve section finances and developing relationships with STEM educational leaders in the section to obtain financial support for expanding their activities.  If re-elected, I hope to continue to develop links between the Central Arizona section and the numerous STEM programs operating within the section and to increase the involvement of section members in these activities.