Mamie Moy, a University of Houston chemistry professor and UH’s longest-serving tenured faculty member, was nominated this year as a "Texas Woman of Distinction" by the West Harris County Branch of the American Association of University Women.

Moy’s love of teaching and advocacy for young women is well known and has been honored many times during her half-century at UH. During her 55 years at UH, first as a graduate student and then as an instructor, Moy has dedicated herself to making chemistry accessible to all – college students, teachers, children and the community, alike.

A first-generation college graduate, Moy believes that everyone can learn if given the opportunity and strives to ensure her students get every chance possible to explore the world of interdisciplinary natural sciences.

Moy has an undeniable enthusiasm for chemistry, with a sincere enjoyment of teaching that brings fun to the learning process. When asked about retirement, she makes it clear that she’s not ready.

She cites the need for community outreach and feels like she fills that niche, actively working with schools to develop hands-on science workshops. She has long been on a mission to make young students aware of the importance of science and math, and her passion is evident for how advances in science improve the quality of life.