May marks Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month - a time to celebrate the vibrant cultures and enduring contributions of the AANHPI community. We are spotlighting three remarkable chemists whose work, heritage, and personal journeys help shape the heart of the San Francisco Public utilities Commission (SFPUC).

Iris San Juan

A proud Filipina and Lead Chemist at both the Southeast and Treasure Island Laboratory Process Sections, Iris brings seven years of expertise to the SFPUC. Her skillset spans critical analyses, including using biochemical oxygen demand to evaluate wastewater. Beyond the lab, Iris is a mentor, trainer, and cultural connector. Whether she's hula dancing or playing golf, Iris embodies joyful balance between science and cultural expression.

“AANHPI Month is about honoring the diversity that has shaped America,” she says. “Listening to our elders is one of the most meaningful ways to learn our history.”

 

Danny Hu

Danny, a Chinese-American chemist with the Water Quality Division, has spent nearly a decade mastering ultra-sensitive spectrometry techniques to determine the elemental composition of samples and analyze trace metals in drinking water and wastewater. Raised in San Francisco, he brings precision to the lab and passion to his personal life as a proud father and loyal Warriors fan.

For Danny, AANHPI Month brings back fond memories of Lunar New Year celebrations, red envelopes, and family feasts, traditions he now shares with his daughter. “It’s about creating those same warm, joyful memories for the next generation.”
 

William Horner

William’s journey from crafting croissants at Tartine and Arsicault to analyzing oil and pH levels in Wastewater is anything but conventional. A chemist at the Southeast Lab, William is known for his meticulous approach and thoughtful insights. He’s also a lifelong San Franciscan of mixed heritage, half Japanese, half white; whose connection to identity runs deep.

He recalls watching the Cherry Blossom Parade from his mother’s office window, and later marching in it himself. That spark eventually led him to join a taiko drumming club in college. “Taiko is bold, rhythmic, and full of life, just like the culture it comes from.”

One of the most resonant pieces of Asian American history for William is the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. A graphic memoir, Citizen 13660, helped him connect with his grandfather’s bittersweet stories from the camps. “It gave me a more layered understanding of internment, one that stuck.”

Through science, culture, and storytelling, these trailblazers remind us that identity isn’t just remembered, it’s lived, shared, and constantly evolving.