2025 Orlando Section ACS Awards

Travel Awards

The Orlando Section of the American Chemical Society (ACS) recently awarded $500 travel grants to two outstanding students, enabling them to attend the Spring 2025 ACS National Meeting in San Diego, CA. This prestigious event brought together more than 15,000 chemists from around the world to share their latest research and innovations.

Cecilia presents her poster.

Cecilia Uchechukwu Ezeanya, a second-year master’s student at the University of Central Florida, was one of the recipients. Working in the lab of Prof. Swadeshmukul Santra, Cecilia presented her research on “Optimized Polyphenol-Polymeric Nanoparticles for Encapsulation and Delivery of Oxytetracycline-Divalent Cation Complexes against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.”

Reflecting on her experience, Cecilia expressed her gratitude: “I am truly grateful to the ACS Orlando Section for recognizing me as a deserving graduate student and awarding me a travel grant to share my research with thousands of attendees at the ACS Spring Meeting in San Diego. The experience was a perfect blend of diverse expertise, spanning Chemistry to Pharmaceutical Chemistry, with engaging discussions and extracurricular activities. I am glad I maximized the daily networking events, happy hour moments, and the Laboratory 271 escape room. Overall, I took home valuable suggestions – some of which I began exploring the very night I returned from San Diego. I am confident that my work on Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient, Cargo Loading, and Analytical Chemistry will contribute to advancing the scientific community and ultimately benefit the populace.”

Gene Koifman, an undergraduate majoring in Chemical Engineering at Florida Tech, was the other recipient. Gene has been conducting research in the lab of Prof. Pavithra Pathirathna since Spring 2023. He presented his poster titled “Surface-Modified Four-Bore Carbon Fiber Microelectrodes for Simultaneous Detection of Neurotransmitters and Toxic Metals,” which focuses on developing electrodes that detect multiple analytes using fast-scan cyclic voltammetry.

Gene shared his excitement about the opportunity: “I am very grateful to the Orlando Section of the ACS for their generous funding, which helped cover my travel expenses to attend and present my research at the ACS Spring Meeting. The conference provided a fantastic opportunity to explore cutting-edge research across various chemistry disciplines, from Electrochemistry to Catalysis, giving me valuable insights for my planned PhD journey. Presenting my work was an invaluable experience, allowing me to receive constructive feedback, engage in meaningful discussions, and connect with potential collaborators. I was especially encouraged by the strong interest from researchers in analytical chemistry and neuroscience, which inspired new directions for my work. Overall, this experience has strengthened my understanding of the field and reinforced my excitement for graduate research. I sincerely appreciate the Orlando Section ACS for making this opportunity possible.”

Both students returned from the conference with new insights and inspiration, ready to apply what they learned to their ongoing research. The Orlando Section’s support has not only facilitated their professional growth but also contributed to the broader scientific community.

Be on the lookout for fall travel awards announced at the beginning of June.

Student Travel Awards: ACS Spring 2025 National Meeting and Expo

To encourage student participation in local, regional, and national conferences organized by the American Chemical Society (ACS) and its affiliates, and to create opportunities for students to enhance their scientific experiences and networking, the Orlando Local Section of the ACS offers travel awards. Students with an accepted abstract to present are encouraged to apply for a Student Travel Award for the ACS Spring 2025 National Meeting and Expo in San Diego, CA, in March. Two travel awards of $500 each are planned—one for a graduate student and one for an undergraduate student.

Arden Floyd gave a poster presentation on her research titled “Cloud Condensation Nuclei Activity of Fresh and Aged Maleic Acid Aerosol Particles” at FAME 2023.

Application Instructions:
To apply, student applicant should prepare an application package (a single PDF file) that includes the following:

The application package should be sent via email to the Awards Committee (Dr. Laura Sessions, lsessions@valenciacollege.edu) by January 31, 2025, at 11:59 PM. The committee will select awardees based on financial need, with preference given to those who possess an active ACS student membership, those who have not received a previous travel award from the Orlando Section, and distribution among the colleges and universities in our Section. Novelty and impact of the research project are bonus criteria.

Meet with 60-year ACS member, Helein Hitchcock

Helein Hitchcock was recently recognized as a 60-year ACS member at a luncheon with Darlene Slattery  and Michael Hampton.  Helein has been involved in the Section as an awards reviewer and a science fair judge. 

Helein received her B.S. in chemistry from the University of Maryland in 1964 and went to work for Bendix Field Engineering at Kennedy Space Center doing routine analysis of spacecraft and ground systems gaseous samples to meet specifications.  Eventually, Helein transferred from working as a contract employee to being a NASA employee.  She continued working at KSC supporting the space program until her retirement.  During that time, her exemplary service was acknowledged with a number of awards, including the prestigious Silver Snoopy award and the Manned Flight Awareness Award.

2024 Annual Award Banquet

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The Orlando Section of the American Chemical Society held it’s annual awards banquet on Saturday, December 7th, 2024 at the At the blu on the avenue restaurant in Winter Park, FL.

The 2024 winners are:

Award RecipientOrganization
Outstanding Student at a primarily teaching institutionJulia DasqueSeminole State College
Outstanding Student at a primarily research institution (undergraduate)Disha IyengarUniversity of Central Florida
Outstanding Graduate StudentEdwin DavidsonUniversity of Central Florida
Outstanding Educator at a Primarily Research InstitutionDr. Denisia Popolan-VaidaUniversity of Central Florida
Outstanding ChemistDr. Titel JurcaUniversity of Central Florida
Outstanding VolunteerDr. Denisia Popolan-VaidaUniversity of Central Florida

2024 NCW Illustrated Poem Contest: The Results

Among many other activities for the 2024 National Chemistry Week (NCW), the Orlando Section of the American Chemical Society (ACS) hosted the 2024 NCW Illustrated Poem Contest for K-12 students in Central Florida. This year, the theme of the contest is “Picture Perfect Chemistry”.

Thanks to members of counties’ school boards and the teachers who brought the contest to students’ attention, the contest received many entries from multiple schools.

Results of the local contest

K-2 Category
Honorable Mention: E. M.
Freedom 7 Elementary School (Brevard County)

Winner of Grade 9-12 Category, by A. E. from Lake Mary High School (Seminole County)

Grade 3-5 Category
Honorable Mention: A. R. C.
Highlands Elementary School (Osceola County)

Grade 6-8 Category
No Winner

Grade 9-12 Category
Winner: A. E.
Lake Mary High School (Seminole County)

The winner of each category will receive a certificate and a monetary award of $50. The teacher who guided the winner of each category will receive a school supply funding of $100. Honorable Mention will also receive certificate and a monetary award ($25 and $50% for student and teacher, respectively).

The winner of each category also advances to the national 2024 NCW Illustrated Poem Contest. The full results of the national contest can be found at ACS website. If you have any comments or questions regarding the local contest, please contact the local section’s coordinator of the contest (Dr. Duy Le, submission@orlandoacs.org).

Annual Awards Banquet Invitation

The Orlando Section of the American Chemical Society will recognize 2024 award winners in a traditional annual awards banquet on December 7th, 2024. You are cordially invited to attend the banquet:

Saturday, December 7th, 2024
11:30AM to 2:00PM
Location: blu on the avenue
326 Park Avenue South Winter Park, FL 32789

The event will commence with a social including hors d’oeuvres of tomato bruschetta, shrimp cocktail, and crab bruschetta. A cash bar will be available.

Lunch Menu
Beverages:
Iced Tea, Soft Beverages, and Illy Coffee
Entrée choice of
Pasta Primavera – seasonal vegetables, grana padano cheese
Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken – grana padano cheese, house made caesar dressing, croutons
Chicken Piccata – white wine, butter, capers, lemon sauce, garlic mash, seasonal vegetable
Salmon – tomato bruschetta, balsamic glaze, garlic mash, seasonal vegetable
Dessert choice of
Tiramisu or Apple Caramel Crisp

We will recognize individuals for their outstanding achievements in chemistry and across the broader chemical enterprise following lunch. The cost will be $25/person (after subsidy, tax, and gratuity included)The Section will pay the bill with a single check. Please be prepared to pay at the door by check or cash—unfortunately we cannot accept credit cards.

All reservations must be made by December 1st, 2024 and can be submitted:

Online – https://forms.gle/qrh5bu7eC4pihq9q6

Via Email: contact@orlandoacs.org
By Phone: Stephen Smith, (321) 309 – 3037 

Chemistry & Community: A Membership Meet-Up with guest speaker Bill Easter

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On Saturday, September 21st 2024, the Orlando Section of the American Chemical Society hosted a Membership Meet-Up with guest speaker Bill Easter,  a subject matter expert in the area of Semiconductor Chemical Mechanical Polishing and Material Development and local serial entrepreneur who founded Semplastics, X-MAT, X-BATT and DioQuest.  Bill, who was recognized as the Section’s Outstanding Entrepreneur in 2023, presented an informative talk entitled The Accidental Entrepreneur – A Perspective on Material Systems, Chemistry and Innovation.  After the talk, attendees enjoyed a light lunch and networking opportunities. The event concluded with a brief Executive Meeting, during which six undergraduate attendees were awarded complimentary one-year memberships to ACS.

Call for Annual Awards Nominations

Since 1991, the Orlando Section of the American Chemical Society has recognized individuals who live, work, or study in the seven-county region of the Orlando Section and excel in chemistry. Continuing this tradition, this year, the Orlando Section will give the following awards:

  • Eileen Tulley Award for Outstanding High School Student
  • Outstanding High School Teacher
  • Outstanding Undergraduate at a Primarily Teaching Institution
  • Outstanding Undergraduate at a Primarily Research Institution
  • Outstanding Graduate at a Primarily Research Institution
  • Outstanding Educator at a Primarily Teaching Institution
  • Outstanding Educator at a Primarily Research Institution
  • Outstanding Chemist
  • Outstanding Chemistry Professional
  • Outstanding Entrepreneur/Employer Award
  • Outstanding Volunteer

Descriptions and criteria for each award can be found in our website at https://orlandoacs.org/annual-awards

If you know someone or companies who should be recognized publicly, please nominate them for an ACS Orlando Section award. Each Award consists of a plaque and a monetary award. Awardees will be honored at the local Section’s annual banquet held on December 7th, 2024. Student nominees need not be currently enrolled in chemistry but can be nominated for achievements for the spring 2024 term..

Dr. Luke Roberson named 2024 ACS Fellow

The American Chemical Society has announced the 2024 class of Fellows.  Included is a member of the Orlando Section, Dr. Luke Roberson.  Luke is being recognized for the advancement of chemistry in space through scientific discovery, invention, and mission infusion to support human spaceflight beyond Earth. Additionally, he has shown exemplary leadership and service on Younger Chemists, International Activities, and Local Section Activities Committees; chairing Orlando Local Section (2017-2019 succession). He is a long standing Career Consultant and was the co-MPPG thematic Chair 2019 Spring Meeting.

The Orlando Section congratulates Luke.

To read more about the Fellows Program, see https://www.acs.org/funding/awards/acs-fellows/program-purpose.html

Student Travel Awards: ACS Fall 2024 National Meeting and Expo

To encourage participations of students in local, regional, and national conferences organized by of the American Chemical Society and its affiliates and to create opportunities for students to enhance their scientific experiences and networking, the Orlando Local Section of the American Chemical Society offers travel awards. Time is running out to apply for a Student Travel Award to participate in the ACS Fall 2024 National Meeting and Expo in Denver, CO in August. It is anticipated that the selected awardees will receive up to $500.

To apply, student applicant should prepare an application package (a single PDF file) that includes the following:

  • Brief introduction of applicant
  • Proof of acceptance of abstract
  • Abstract of presentation
  • Brief explanation of why travel award from the Orlando Local Section of the American Chemical Society is necessary (especially those whose research projects are federal/industrially/privately funded)
  • Contact information of advisor (The award committee will request a statement from advisor indicating of the travel award for registration, lodging, and/or travel expenses).

Application package should be sent via email to the Awards Committee (Dr. Darlene Slattery, dslattery1@cfl.rr.com) by 07/10/2024. The committee will select awardees based on an applicant’s financial needs with preference given to those who possess a currently active ACS-student membership and those who have not received a previous award this year. Novelty and impact of the research project is a bonus criterion.