Mary Fran Reed
Mary Fran Reed, Ph.D., is a scientist, author, and world traveler whose career spans groundbreaking research, higher education, government service, and global exploration. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Physical Chemistry and her Ph.D. in Nuclear Science from the University of California, Berkeley, where her dissertation advanced the understanding of nuclear reaction mechanisms. Over the course of her academic career, Dr. Reed published and presented more than 30 papers, sharing her expertise with the American Physical Society, Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences, and the Society of Nuclear Medicine. She was honored as Outstanding Woman Faculty Member at the University of Kentucky and its Medical School, where she established a radiopharmaceutical research and development program that secured significant grant funding while teaching courses in chemistry, nuclear medicine physics, and radiation protection. She later brought her expertise to public service, serving as a Health Physicist for the California Department of Health Services and as Chief of the Nuclear Power Plant Planning Section for the State of California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services.
After a distinguished scientific and government career, Dr. Reed embarked on a remarkable new chapter—sailing the world with her husband aboard a liveaboard yacht. Over the course of her voyages, she visited 41 countries and crossed multiple oceans, including the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans, navigating waterways from the South China Sea to European canals with over 600 locks. Following her husband’s passing, she transitioned into financial services, motivated by a desire to help individuals and families gain financial literacy and independence—knowledge she wished she had earlier in life. She earned licenses in life, annuities, and investments, building a second career as a trusted advisor in retirement and wealth planning.
Today, Dr. Reed resides in Boca Raton, Florida, where she continues to write, inspire, and serve her community. Under pen names Beth Reed and Frannie Guerin, she has published both creative works and practical guides, including a fantasy romantic comedy and a volume on world cruising, with more books in progress. A Global Book Award recipient, she embodies a life of curiosity, resilience, and reinvention—dedicated to science, adventure, and empowering others to pursue their passions with confidence and stability.
• Global Book Awards 2025
• Securities - Series 6 and 63
• Florida Life and Health Insurance Licenses
• University of California, Berkeley- Ph.D.
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my determination to pursue science with purpose—from my early work in the lab at Livermore to my studies at UC Berkeley—and to my passion for advancing green energy solutions, which ultimately inspired me to write Atomic Green and advocate for reducing our reliance on fossil fuels.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this field is to remember that science—and especially green energy—is vital for our future, so use your voice to engage with legislators and advocate for policies that move us toward a more sustainable world.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are curiosity and integrity, inspired by my father’s path as a technical writer and engineer, along with balance and mindfulness that I cultivate through Tai Chi and Chi Gong—and, of course, the joy and companionship I share with my Maltese, Toby.