ORLANDO SECTION NEWSLETTER

Abstract of the Talk

This talk is about the structures and product patterns of enzymes, primarily those that hydrolyze oligo- and polysaccharides, and how remarkably different they can be. Specifically, almost the same structure can yield quite different products, while quite different structures can yield the same products. Enzymes with very different mechanisms can start with the same reactants and end up with the same products. Evolution has covered all bases, it appears. This talk has lots of pretty pictures and also a couple of reaction pathways to keep it honest.

About the Speaker

Peter J. Reilly, Ph.D.

Peter J. Reilly, a New Jersey native, received an A.B. in chemistry in 1960 from Princeton University and a Ph.D. in chemical engineering in 1964 from the University of Pennsylvania. He spent four years with Du Pont's Organic Chemicals Department in Deepwater, New Jersey, six years at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and since 1974 has been at Iowa State University, where he is Anson Marston Distinguished Professor in Engineering and Professor of Chemical Engineering. During the 1983–84 and 1992–93 academic years he was Invited Professor at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne. Dr. Reilly's research interests are in enzyme and carbohydrate technology and use of agricultural products, specifically in the enzymatic hydrolysis of starch and cellulose, in computational structure-function studies, and in sugar and lipid chromatography. He coordinates Iowa State University's exchange programs with the University of Lausanne and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne. He has been in almost as many countries as his age, but he’s getting older faster and the number of remaining countries easy to visit is getting smaller                                                           . ************************************************************************

Parking

Parking on the Rollins campus is limited.  A convenient parking garage is available for visitors and is located across the street from the Bush Science Center.  When you reach the Park Avenue/Fairbanks intersection, make a left turn onto Park Avenue, away from the main campus.  Within two blocks, immediately after The Gap, turn right on Lyman. The entrance to the parking garage is on the right side.  Bring your parking ticket with you to the seminar to be validated.

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Next Year’s Officers

After a summer break, the Orlando Section is ready for a busy fall season.  It is time to begin thinking about election for officers for 2008. Positions available for 2008 are Chair-Elect, Secretary, Treasurer and Councilor. If you know someone (or you are) interested in running for an office, send an email to the Nominations Chair, Darlene Slattery at dkslatt@fsec.ucf.edu or call her at 321-638-1449. 

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National Chemistry Week 2007

National Chemistry week is October 21 – 27 and this year’s theme is “The Many Faces Of Chemistry.”  We anticipate having our Creative Molecule Contest, a poster contest (see rules at http://acswebcontent.acs.org/ncw/k-12contest.pdf) and additional fun activities.  If you have ideas or just want to help, contact Nahid Mohajeri at 321-638-1525 or via email at nmohajeri@fsec.ucf.edu.

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                                                             $ AWARDS $

When you hear the phrase "outstanding chemistry student" does a particular individual immediately come to mind?  Do you know a teacher who makes chemistry exciting and fun for his/her students?  Do you know someone that you believe brings honor to the profession of chemist?  If you know someone who falls into one of these categories, now is your chance to have that person recognized.

Each year, the Orlando Section of the American Chemical Society honors outstanding high school and college students and teachers, as well as local chemists (see listing of awards at bottom of announcement).  This year’s awards will be presented at a banquet to be held in early December.  The award includes a plaque, a monetary award and dinner for the winner, his/her family, and the nominator.

To nominate an individual, write a letter of nomination stating why this person deserves the award and obtain an additional letter of support from someone else who knows the nominee.  Send nominations to Dr. Darlene Slattery at Florida Solar Energy Center, 1679 Clearlake Road, Cocoa, FL 32922 or dkslatt@fsec.ucf.edu.  Electronic submissions are preferred.  They must be received by November 16, 2007 to be considered.

Award Categories

                                    1.         Outstanding Chemist

                                    2.         Outstanding Four-year College Teacher

                                    3.         Outstanding Four-year College Student, undergrad

                                    4.         Outstanding Grad Student

                                    5.         Outstanding Two-year College Teacher

                                    6.         Outstanding Two-year College Student

                                    7.         Outstanding High School Teacher

                                    8.         Outstanding High School Student

                                    9.         Outstanding Student Affiliate Section

We hope to hear from you soon.