"A Conversation with Francis J DiSalvo" is a contribution from the Oral History Project of the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology. Frank DiSalvo, the John A. Newman Professor of Physical Science and Director of the Center for a Sustainable Future, is interviewed by Héctor D. Abruña, the Emile M. Chamot Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at Cornell. This wide-ranging conversation explores the influences from early childhood forward that led DiSalvo to a career in science, how his pathway took many interesting but unanticipated turns and how he came to Cornell. This also describes his approach to leadership in science and his latest challenge as Director of the David R. Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future. New graduate students should find this to be a useful introduction to the realm of scientific research. Running time: 64 minutes. Three alternative QuickTime versions (H.264 codec) for the web and for mobile devices are included.