Largely due to the efforts of Isiah M. Warner, Louisiana State University’s (LSU) chemistry department produces the most African American Ph.D.’s in chemistry in the U.S. Warner is well-known for his research in analytical chemistry, and also for his work as a teacher and mentor.

Isiah M. Warner was born on July 20, 1946 in DeQuincy, Louisiana to Humphrey and Irma Warner. The family later moved to Bunkie, Louisiana. His fascination with chemistry was obvious early in his life, even though his first experiment landed him in the hospital. His parents gave Isiah a chemistry set when he was ten years old through which he became even more enamored with chemistry.

In 1964 Isiah Warner graduated valedictorian of his class at Carver High. Unfortunately the segregated schools in Bunkie did not prepare him well for college. Southern University, a historically black college and university in Baton Rouge, offered summer programs for high school juniors and seniors. Through these, Isiah was able to fill many of the gaps in his pre-college education. In fact he did so well in his summer chemistry class that he was given credit for freshman chemistry. He entered Southern University as a chemistry major in 1964 and graduated cum laude with a B.S. in chemistry in 1968.

Isiah Warner married Della Blountson in 1968. They have three children.

From 1968 to 1973, Warner worked for Batelle, Northwest, in Seattle, Washington as a chemistry technician. Finding the work unsatisfying, he decided to return to school and pursue a Ph.D. in chemistry. Warner was awarded his Ph.D. in analytical chemistry from the University of Washington in 1977. He began his academic career at Texas A&M University that same year. He was awarded tenure in 1982. Later that year he moved to Emory University where he was named the Samuel Candler Dobbs Professor of Chemistry. He left Emory in 1992 to become the Philip W. West Professor of Environmental and Analytical Chemistry at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. Warner was chair of the chemistry department from 1994–1997.

Isiah Warner’s research includes fundamental studies in analytical chemistry and the development and application of new methods for analytical measurements; the overall goal is to provide improved methodology for the analyses of complex systems. He has published more than 200 articles in professional refereed journals and holds three patents (with three pending).

In recognition of Isiah M. Warner’s contributions to analytical chemistry, teaching, and mentoring, he was named a Howard Hughes Medical Institution (HHMI) Professor in 2002. This prestigious award included a $1 million grant that Warner is using to create a “mentoring ladder” to increase the number of science, mathematics, engineering, and technology students going on to graduate school. In 2003 Isiah Warner received the American Chemical Society’s award for Encouraging Disadvantaged Students into the Sciences. He received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring in 1997. In addition Warner is on the editorial board of the journal Analytical Chemistry; he was a member of the National Research Council Chemical Science Roundtable from 1996–2001; he was awarded the Eastern Analytical Symposium Award for his achievements in analytical chemistry.

Isiah M. Warner is currently LSU Boyd Professor and vice chancellor for strategic initiatives.

1. Professor Isiah M. Warner
2. Howard Hughes Medical Institute: Grants and Fellowships

1. Who’s Who Among African Americans; York, Jennifer M., Ed.; Gale Co.: Detroit, MI, 2001; 16th ed., p 1339.