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

Posted on October 3, 2024October 4, 2024

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On Saturday, September 21^st 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

Posted on September 26, 2024September 26, 2024

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 7^th, 2024. Student nominees need not be currently enrolled in chemistry but can be nominated for achievements for the spring 2024 term..

Nomination package includes:
(1) A letter of nomination stating why this person/company* deserves the award.
(2) A letter of support from someone else who knows the nominee.**

Each letter should include the name of the award, and the writer’s email address, and daytime phone number. Electronic submissions are required by completing the digital form (link below) and uploading PDF letters in the appropriate places on the form. Questions can be directed to Dr. Nasri Nesnas, Chair of the Orlando Section Awards Committee at nesnas@fit.edu. To be considered, nominations must be received by 5pm Wednesday November 13, 2024.

Complete this form and upload ONLY PDF formatted letters here: https://valenciacc.ut1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2b4n5Kri7jWWjki

Nominators of awardees are expected to participate in the Orlando Section’s annual banquet to introduce the awardees.

* Point of contact for nominated company must be included in the letter.
** Nominees for awards need not be members of the Orlando Section of the American Chemical Society.

Dr. Luke Roberson named 2024 ACS Fellow

Posted on August 8, 2024August 8, 2024

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

Posted on June 11, 2024June 11, 2024

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.

Student Travel Awards for FAME Participation

Posted on April 13, 2024April 15, 2024

Time is running out to apply for a Student Travel AWARD to participate in FAME 2024 (Florida Annual Meeting and Exposition). The Orlando Local Section of the American Chemical Society offers travel awards to students who are in need of financial supplement for their participations in local, regional, and national conferences organized by of the American Chemical Society and its affiliates

Selected students will receive awards of up to $150. To apply, student applicant needs to prepare an application package (a single PDF file) that includes the following:

Brief introduction of applicant
Proof of acceptance to conference and acceptance of abstract
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 appropriate use of the travel award to registration, lodging, and/or travel expenses).

Application package should be sent via email to Awards Committee (Dr. Darlene Slattery, dslattery1@cfl.rr.com) by 05/15/2024 for FAME applications.

2023 Annual Award Banquet

Posted on December 28, 2023February 6, 2024

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The Orlando Section of the American Chemical Society held it’s annual awards banquet on Saturday, December 2nd, 2023 at the At the 310 Lakeside restaurant in Downtown Orlando.

The 2023 winners are:

Award	Recipient	Organization
Outstanding Student at a primarily teaching institution	Ms. Denette Boucome	Keiser University
Outstanding Student at a primarily research institution (undergraduate)	Ms. Arden Floyd Mr. Matthew Pensenstadler	University of Central Florida Florida Institute of Technology
Outstanding Undergraduates Students	Alivia Taylor Natali Barakat	Seminole States College University of Central Florida
Outstanding Graduate Student	Mr. Jorge Pereira	University of Central Florida
Outstanding Teacher at a primarily teaching institution	Dr. Mahesh Peddibhotla	Valencia College
Outstanding Educator at a Primarily Research Institution	Dr. Pavithra Pathirathna	Florida Institute of Technology
Outstanding Chemist	Dr. Nasri Nesnas	Florida Institute of Technology
Outstanding Chemical Professional	Dr. Nahid Mohajeri	Nitto Americas
Outstanding Volunteer	Dr. Duy Le	University of Central Florida

Annual Awards Banquet Invitation

Posted on November 13, 2023November 13, 2023

The Orlando Section of the American Chemical Society will recognize 2023 awards winners in a traditional annual awards banquet on December 2^nd, 2023. You are invited to attend the banquet:

Saturday, December 2^nd, 2023
11:30AM to 2:00PM
At the 310 Lakeside
301 East Pine Street, Orlando, FL 32801

MENU
Appetizers
Stuffed Mushroom – sausage, spinach, parmesan
Fried Green Tomato – pimento spread, bacon jam, chives
Tomato and Mozzarella Skewer – fresh basil, olive oil, balsamic glaze
Entrée choice of
Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken
Pasta Primavera
seasonal vegetables, grana padano cheese
Chicken Piccata
white wine, butter, capers, lemon sauce
Salmon
tomato bruschetta, balsamic glaze
Dessert
Tiramisu
Beverages
Iced tea, soft beverages, and Illy coffee
Cash bar is available

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.

Reservation can be made online at https://forms.gle/ppkK4WM5aHDQDFu88, or by email to Nicole.lapeyrouse@ucf.edu. Reservations must be made by November 26, 2023. Please include names so that we can provide nametags.

We look forward to seeing you all there!

Call for Annual Awards Nominations

Posted on September 26, 2023September 26, 2023

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 a company 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 annual banquet held on December 3, 2023. Student nominees need not be currently enrolled in chemistry but can be nominated for achievements for the spring 2023 term.

Nomination package includes:
(1) A letter of nomination stating why this person/company* deserves the award.
(2) A letter of support from someone else who knows the nominee.

Each letter should include the name of the award, and the writer’s email address, and daytime phone number. Electronic submissions are required here: https://valenciacc.ut1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bDBBTN2cVoidkgK

• Nominations must be received by 5pm Friday November 3, 2023.
• Nominators of awardees are expected to participate in the Orlando Section’s annual banquet to introduce the awardees.
• Please address any questions to Dr. Laura Sessions, Chair of the Orlando Section Awards Committee, at lsessions@valenciacollege.edu.
* Point of contact for nominated company must be included in the letter.

Volunteer opportunities

Posted on September 20, 2023September 20, 2023

Hello Orlando Section!

In this bulletin, we would like to bring to your attention a couple important opportunities for members and highlight some accomplishments:

Call for Volunteers for the Awards Committee: The Orlando Section is currently in search of individuals willing to contribute to the Awards Committee. Annually, our section grants awards totaling more than $3,000 to honor the outstanding contributions of chemists and chemistry students within our local community.

Orlando Section wins ChemLuminary Award: The Orlando Section received the ChemLuminary Award for Outstanding Community Involvement in National Chemistry Week at the ACS Fall 2023 Meeting in San Francisco. National Chemistry Week celebrates the importance of chemistry in everyday life. On October 22, 2022, about 400 attendees were able to participate in experiments related to the theme: Fabulous Fibers, The Chemistry of Fabrics.
Call for Volunteers for National Chemistry Week event at OSC: Look for us at the Orlando Science Center again for National Chemistry Week celebrations on Saturday, October 21, 2023. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Denisia.Popolan-Vaida@ucf.edu.

You can read more about these fantastic events and see pictures on our website and social media linked below.

Best wishes,

Dr. Nicole Lapeyrouse
Chair of the Orlando Section of the ACS
On behalf of the Orlando Section executive committee

Please don’t forget to subscribe to our community page, follow our facebook page, and check out our website for updated news, and activities of our local section.

Call for Volunteers for the Awards Committee

Posted on September 11, 2023September 11, 2023

The Orlando Section is currently in search of individuals willing to contribute to the Awards Committee. Annually, our section grants awards exceeding a total of $3,000 to honor the outstanding contributions of chemists and chemistry students within our local community.

The committee’s commitment involves a brief initial Zoom meeting, followed by asynchronous evaluation of nomination letters during the week of November 4-10. If this opportunity piques your interest, kindly send a brief statement of your intent to the Awards Chair no later than September 29, 2023: Dr. Laura Sessions lsessions@valenciacollege.edu.