Clarice Phelps

Clarice Phelps is a distinguished American nuclear chemist and engineer, currently conducting groundbreaking research on the processing of radioactive transuranic elements at the US Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). Her work is pivotal in advancing our understanding of these complex materials.

As a key member of the ORNL team, Phelps played an instrumental role in the collaboration with the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research that led to the discovery of tennessine, element one hundred seventeen. This remarkable achievement has earned her recognition from the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) as the first African American woman to contribute to the discovery of a chemical element.

Before her illustrious career in nuclear chemistry, Phelps served in the US Navy Nuclear Power Program, where she honed her skills and knowledge in the field. At ORNL, she now manages various programs within the Department of Energy's Isotope & Fuel Cycle Technology Division, focusing on the industrial applications of nickel sixty-three and selenium seventy-five.