April 6, 2006

Dr. Ned Heindel

Professor of Chemistry, Lehigh University

An Approach to Anti-Alzheimer’s Therapeutics: Inhibitors of Acetylcholinesterase

7:30 PM, Umbeck Science and Math Center, Room A110, Knox College, Galesburg, IL 61401

As America's population ages, one of the fastest growing causes of death is Alzheimer's dementia. Among several physical and chemical events occurring in the central nervous systems of disease sufferers is the depletion of stored and available acetylcholine, a critical neurotransmitter. Therapeutic interventions that have sought to increase acetylcholine's biosynthesis have been unsuccessful, while several candidate drugs that retard its metabolism do seem to offer modest clinical improvement. Both reversible and irreversible inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase, with unsymmetrical choline carbonates as the basic framework, have been designed, synthesized, and tested. New synthetic approaches have been developed to such inhibitors, which release chemotoxic agents like quinone methide and haloketones at the enzyme's active site. Promising inhibitors with IC50 values in the micromolar range are in hand

Dinner with the speaker: 5:30 PM at the Packinghouse Dining Company, 441 Mulberry Street, Galesburg, IL RSVP: Call or email Diana Cermak to make reservations or if you need directions (309) 341- 7434, dcermak@knox.edu

Enhanced Content

Kolb Lecture

Chemistry Plays Well in Peoria

Friday, April 21, 2006 at 7:00 p.m.

Bradley University, Olin Hall of Science Rm 168

Marvin Lang and Donald Showalter

University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point

They will perform chemistry demonstrations. Marvin & Don will also be in the Quad Cities on September 28, 2006: “Chemistry Can Be Fun … Really It Can!” – A series of chemical demonstrations will be presented with Professor Donald Showalter to the Illinois-Iowa American Chemical Society at Augustana College, Rock Island, Illinois.

April 22, 2006
Earth Day
Dig it! - Forest Park Nature Center (5809 Forest Park Drive, Peoria Heights).
11 am - 4 pm (donations accepted)

Join Jill Rockwood and her dirty dozen for some mud-slinging and soil science.

Illinois Heartland American Chemical Society

2006 Distinguished Scientist

Dr. Joseph Nagyvary

Texas A&M University

8:00 p.m.
May 11, 2006
Hotel Pere Marquette

with a special appearance by

Marcia Henry Liebenow

Concertmaster, Peoria Symphony Orchestra

A lifetime of work studying how Stradivarius made his perfect violins recently earned a biochemist Joseph Nagyvary the Illinois Heartland American Chemical Society 2006 Distinguished Scientist Award. Nagyvary concluded decades ago that the chemicals used to treat a Stradivarius violin – not necessarily the way it was constructed – were the keys to its unique sound. Varnish, glues, wood preservatives and fillers used on the violin led to its pristine tone – and today’s high price tag. Antonio Stradivari made about 1,200 violins in his lifetime (1644 to 1737), but only about 600 remain today. They range in price from $2 million to $10 million each. Nagyvary’s research led him to try to and duplicate the sound of a Stradivarius, and the violins he has produced – called a ‘Nagyvarius’ – have been praised by many of the world’s top violinists. Nagyvary, who retired in 2003, is still conducting research on Stradivarius violins and expects to have a major paper dealing with the first chemical analysis of Stradivarius wood published in one of the world’s leading journals in the next few months. He has also ventured into the business of violin production with his company, Nagyvary Violins. Following the presentation, Nagyvary’s violin will be demonstrated by Marcia Henry Liebenow, the Peoria Symphony’s concertmaster.

“Einstein played the violin every day.” The Illinois Heartland ACS Distinguished Scientist Award is presented annually to scientists who personify the creative processes that allow Artists and Scientists to express their passions in their work. Creativity, dedication, and good methodology are integral parts of the search for and expression of new knowledge. Read more about the partnership between Illinois Heartland ACS and Arts organizations through the Distinguished Scientist program. The Illinois Heartland ACS gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Innovative Programs Grant through the American Chemical Society Local Section Activities Committee for 2004 and 2005.

The presentation is free and open to the public at 8 p.m.

The Illinois Heartland ACS Awards & Recognition Banquet honoring High School Chemistry Contest Winners, Collegiate Scholars, and community volunteers will be held from 6:00-7:45 p.m. Tickets are $20/adult and $10/student at the door. A cash bar will be available. Please RSVP indicating your choice of beef, chicken, or vegetarian (portabella) meal to Dr. Stephen Hughes (309-681-6176, hughessr@ncaur.usda.gov) by noon on May 9, 2006.

Thursday, September 7, 2006

Student Research Poster Session

Illinois Weselyan University

Center for Natural Science Atrium
6:00-7:00 pm

Titles and Abstracts (less than 200 words) are due to Prof. Craig McLauchlan (ccmclau @ ilstu.edu) by noon on Tuesday, September 5.
Pizza & soda will be served courtesy of the Younger Chemists Committee.

Special Guest Speaker @ 7:30 pm in C101

Dr. Robert Bates

University of Florida

The Chemistry and Alchemy of Brewing

Beer making, one of the oldest examples of biotechnology, is a fascinating study of chemistry, biochemistry, and engineering. It combines well recognized and controllable reactions and operations with complex, poorly understood phenomena, including the psychosensory response. Surprisingly, some of the most sophisticated science and technology are employed in the efficient production of mass advertised, mediocre beers. In contrast, traditional "alchemy-driven" methods can produce exceptional yet under-recognized beers. Fortunately, there is an achievable balance between these extremes. This presentation will cover the brewing process from raw material selection and preparation through fermentation to consumption. Emphasis will be on major pathways employed by brewers to produce a wide range of beers. These are exciting times for brewers and beer connoisseurs in the U.S. Future industry developments of relevance to consumers will be mentioned. With dedication and practice, the average chemist can brew above-average beers; so can the experienced kitchen alchemist.
September 23, 2006 Return to Hogwarts 5:00 pm Glen Oak Amphitheatre A fun and educational event for kids!! For details see: http://hogwarts.tkpilon.com/index.html

October 12, 2006

Chemist of the Year Award

Marjorie Jones

Best Western Conference Center
Morton, IL
 For more information contact:
Edward Flint (309-677-3033, eflint@bradley.edu)
Please RSVP to Ed Flint by October 9, 2006.

Saturday October 28, 2006

National Chemistry Week

Your Home….It’s All Built on Chemistry

Stop by between 10 am – 2 pm
FREE!!!
Hands-on fun activities for all ages!!!
download flyer

Lowe’s Home Improvement
201 Riverside Drive
East Peoria, IL 61611
(309) 694-0774

Join us for fun experiments exploring the science of paint, insulation, air conditioners, electricity, plumbing, windows, roofing, refrigeration, building materials and so much more! No reservations are needed.

Contact Jill Rockwood rockwoodacs @ insightbb.com if you have questions or if you want to volunteer!!!

National Chemistry Week (October 22-28, 2006) is a national celebration sponsored by the American Chemical Society. It is dedicated to science education and public awareness of chemistry in our society.

November 9, 2006 (7:30 pm)

Dr. Judith C. Giordan

High tech Entrepreneurship and YOU!

Hotel Pere Marquette

Dr. Judith Giordan, Senior Vice President of Visions in Education, Inc. (Pleasanton, CA and Pittsburgh, PA) received her B.S. degree from Rutgers University and her Ph.D. from the University of Maryland. She has been involved in Research and Development at a number of companies since 1994 (e.g. Pepsi-Cola, Teroson Inc. and the Henkel Corporation). She has also been actively involved in the ACS at the national level and is a co-leader on a NSF grant doing ground-breaking research aimed at positively impacting the careers of women formally trained as scientists and engineers. As an entrepreneur, she co-founded a successful search firm, 1EXECStreet, that focuses on staffing technology intensive companies from the Fortune 100 to startups. She is also the managing director at Technology Option Capital. TopCap works with chemical and technology intensive companies to identify, value, and finance the acquisition of intellectual property assets in ways that positively support the research efforts of chemical professionals.

For more information, or if you are interested in going to dinner (6:00 pm) with Dr. Giordan, please contact Stephen Hughes at 309-681- 6176 or hughessr @ ncaur.usda.gov. Dinner will be at Carnegie's 501 in the Pere Marquette (501 Main Street, Peoria Illinois 61602)

December 14, 2006

Holiday Party, starts at 6:30 pm
Rhodell’s Brewpub, Riverfront downtown (State & Waters St), Peoria, IL

$10 per person which includes 3 beer samples and snacks.
Spouses, significant others and friends welcome!!
Entertainment: Join Magician Gordon Snow as he shares the story of a special visit from Santa’s elves and the elf boot. There will also be walk-around table magic.
Please RSVP by December 10 to Stephen Hughes at at 309-681- 6176 or hughessr @ ncaur.usda.gov