Victor McCrary

Victor R. McCrary, Jr. (born May 16, 1955) is an American physical chemist who is vice provost for national security innovation at The Catholic University of America^[1]. He is a fellow of the American Chemical Society, former president of the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers and current chair of the National Science Board^[2].

McCrary was born and raised in Washington, D.C.^[3] 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.^[4]

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.^[5]

McCrary joined Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory in 2003.^[6] In 2007, he was made President at the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE).^[7] McCrary worked as vice chancellor at the University of Tennessee and as the inaugural vice president of research and economic development at Morgan State University.^[3] McCrary also served as vice president of research at the University of the District of Columbia

In October 2016 McCary was appointed to the National Science Board.^[8] He was made vice chair in July 2020.^[3] In August 2025, McCrary was named chair.^[9]

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

• 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^[10]
• 2005 Principal Professional Staff, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory^[11]
• 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^[12][13]
• 2008 Innovator of Technology Award, Washington, D.C. Chapter, National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)^[14]
• 2009 Fellow, African Scientific Institute^[11]
• 2011 Scientist of the Year, Black Engineer of the Year Awards^[15]
• 2011 Black Engineer of the Year Awards Scientist of the Year^[16]
• 2012 Mother Mary Lange Service Award, Archdiocese of Baltimore^[17]
• 2012 Diversity Recognition Award, The Johns Hopkins University Diversity Leadership Council^[18]
• 2012 Hall of Fame Inductee, Career Communications Group
• 2013 Hall of Fame Inductee, DeMatha Catholic High School^[19]
• 2014 Fellow, The American Chemical Society^[20]
• 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

• Lee, Kyong-Ho; Slattery, Oliver; Lu, Richang; Tang, Xiao; McCrary, Victor (2002). "The State of the Art and Practice in Digital Preservation". Journal of Research of the National Institute of Standards and Technology. 107 (1): 93–106. doi:10.6028/jres.107.010. ISSN 1044-677X. PMC 4865277. PMID 27446721.
• McCaulley, J. A.; McCrary, V. R.; Donnelly, V. M. (1989). "Laser-induced decomposition of triethylgallium and trimethylgallium adsorbed on gallium arsenide(100)". The Journal of Physical Chemistry. 93 (3): 1148–1158. doi:10.1021/j100340a026. ISSN 0022-3654.
• Lee, Kyong-Ho; Guttenberg, Nicholas; McCrary, Victor (2002-07-01). "Standardization aspects of eBook content formats". Computer Standards & Interfaces. 24 (3): 227–239. doi:10.1016/S0920-5489(02)00032-6. ISSN 0920-5489.