Spring 2009 YCC National Meeting Programming, Salt Lake City, Utah
YCC will host three symposia at ACS Salt Lake City National Meeting: Green Chemistry Symposium, Overcoming Issues in Graduate School Symposium, and Non-Traditional Careers in Chemistry Symposium.
The Younger Chemists Committee Green Chemistry Symposium is designed for those interested in the frontiers of green chemistry research. It is being co-sponsored by the Division of Chemical Health & Safety (CHAS), the Division of Industrial & Engineering Chemistry (IEC), the Committee on Environmental Improvement (CEI), the Division of Inorganic Chemistry (INOR), and the Division of Organic Chemistry (ORGN). Our speakers will be focusing on the rewards and challenges of teaching and conducting green chemistry research in a variety of academic and industrial settings. One unifying theme of the symposium will be the future of green chemistry.
We have an extraordinary line up of speakers for the symposium. Representing academic researchers are Robin Rogers (Co-Director of the Center for Green Manufacturing at the University of Alabama) and Terry Collins (Director of the Institute for Green Science at Carnegie Mellon University). Jim Hutchinson from the University of Oregon will provide his perspective on incorporating green chemistry into organic teaching labs. Maggel Deetlefs (Assistant Director of QUILL – Queen’s University Ionic Liquids Laboratory) will speak about transitioning from research to management while fostering academia/industry collaborations. Frankie Wood-Black of Trihydro Corp. will share her expertise on the challenges of green chemistry. Finally, we are very excited to have two winners of the 2008 Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award. The winners, Carl DeAmicis from Dow AgroSciences and Michael Lefenfeld of SiGNa Chemistry will share the paths they and their companies took on the way to winning the awards.
The symposium is scheduled for the morning session on Monday, March 23, 2009 during the Spring ACS National Meeting in Salt Lake City, UT.
The Overcoming Issues in Graduate School Symposium is organized to cover all stages of graduate school for students, including transitioning to graduate studies, to post doctoral positions and beyond. Many students enter graduate school without appropriate preparation, which cause some unnecessary difficulties. This symposium will cover issues such as the transition from being an undergraduate to being a graduate student, choosing an advisor and thesis for first and second year students, mentoring for third to sixth year students, as well as transitioning from a graduate student to a post doctoral fellow or to an industrial position after obtaining a graduate degree.
The speakers in this symposium are well qualified in this field. Jim White is the assistant director of career services at the University of Utah. He will provide information on making the transitions from an undergraduate to a graduate student. Dr. Yong Cai is a chemistry professor and graduate advisor at Florida International University. He will cover the issues of choosing an advisor and thesis. Dr. Marjorie Caserio is a consultant to the ACS Office of Graduate Education and is editor of the Graduate Education Newsletter. She is widely knowledgeable in mentoring and will provide valuable information on communicating with mentors, as well as time management and reflection. Dr. Joel Schulman will cover the issues of transitioning from Graduate School to an industrial position. Dr. Cynthia Larive is a professor of chemistry and graduate advisor at the University of California. She will cover topics about transitioning from Graduate School to the Post-doctoral fellow. This symposium will provide information that will assist current graduate students and future graduate students in achieving a high level of success and excellence throughout and after graduate studies.
Overcoming Issues in Graduate School Symposium is scheduled on Monday, March 23, 2009, at 1-4 pm.
The Non-Traditional Careers in Chemistry Symposium is organized to provide an informational session for chemists who are interested in obtaining a career outside of the laboratory setting. This symposium consists of speakers who have an educational background in chemistry, but are currently working in a non-traditional chemistry fields. The symposium will show that having a chemistry educational background will enhance a person's career choices instead of limiting it. The speakers will demonstrate that a degree in chemistry can open doors to various career fields, including patent law, scholarly publishing, policy making, small business, etc.
The Non-Traditional Careers in Chemistry Symposium is scheduled on Sunday, March 22, 2009 at 1-4 pm.
Sunday Evening in Salt Lake City: “Careers in Nanoscience” Panel Discussion featuring Paul S. Weiss and Angela M. Belcher, Co-Sponsored by the YCC
The Nanoscience field offers enormous promise for applications that range from materials and drug delivery to environmental remediation and sustainable energy. Billions of dollars in grants worldwideare awarded for research in nanoscience and nanotechnology.
At the 237th ACS National Meeting in Salt Lake City, you can find out what it takes to launch a career and thrive in this fast-growing field. Immediately following the announcement of the winner of the ACS Nanotation video contest, ACS Publications and the YCC will co-host a panel discussion: Careers in Nanoscience; Sunday, March 22, 2009; 6:30 to 7:00 pm. At the Pavilion in the Exhibition Area.
Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from leaders in the field, including ACS Nano Editor-in-Chief Paul S. Weiss (The Pennsylvania State University) and Keynote Speaker Angela M. Belcher (Massachusetts Institute of Technology). Bring your questions to ask this distinguished panel regarding careers in nanoscience.
Cast your vote for “What Is Nano?”
In conjunction with the theme, “Nanoscience: Challenges for the Future,” ACS Publications is sponsoring a screening of submissions to the “What Is Nano?” video contest, to be held at the Pavilion in the Exhibition Area, Sunday, March 22nd, from 6:15 to 6:30 pm.
The videos present creative visions of what “nano” means and where the field is headed. One winner, selected by a panel of nano-scientists, will be announced at the end of the screening. Another winner, as judged by the general public, will be announced Wednesday afternoon at the ACS Publications booth #725.
Don't foget to view videos and vote for your favorites!