Victor McCrary
Victor R. McCrary, Jr. (born May 16, 1955) is an American physical chemist who is vice president for research at the University of the District of Columbia. He is a fellow of the American Chemical Society and former president of the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers.

Early life and education 
McCrary was born and raised in Washington, D.C. 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.

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.

McCrary joined Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory in 2003. In 2007, he was made President at the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE). McCary worked as vice chancellor at the University of Tennessee and vice president of Morgan State University.

In October 2016 McCary was appointed to the National Science Board. He was made vice chair in July 2020.

Personal life 
McCrary is Catholic, a long-time member of the Knights of Columbus, and parishioner at Saint John the Evangelist in Columbia, Maryland.

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
 2005 Principal Professional Staff, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
 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
 2008 Innovator of Technology Award, Washington, D.C. Chapter, National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)
 2009 Fellow, African Scientific Institute
 2011 Scientist of the Year, Black Engineer of the Year Awards
 2011 Black Engineer of the Year Awards Scientist of the Year
 2012 Mother Mary Lange Service Award, Archdiocese of Baltimore
 2012 Diversity Recognition Award, The Johns Hopkins University Diversity Leadership Council
 2012 Hall of Fame Inductee, Career Communications Group
 2013 Hall of Fame Inductee, DeMatha Catholic High School
 2014 Fellow, The American Chemical Society
 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

References 

Living people
1955 births
Howard University alumni
American physical chemists
Johns Hopkins University faculty
Fellows of the American Chemical Society
National Institute of Standards and Technology people
University of Tennessee faculty
Morgan State University faculty
Scientists at Bell Labs
African-American Catholics
Catholic University of America alumni