Travel awards from the Orlando Section of the ACS assisted two Ph.D. candidates at University of Central Florida to attend the spring 2023 ACS Meeting held in Indianapolis from March 26-30. Lorianne Shultz and Jacob T Bryant received $500 each.
Lorianne Shultz gave an oral presentation on her research in Professor Titel Jurca’s laboratory on “Probing the mechanism and structure-activity relationships in the CuOx catalysed reduction of 4-nitrophenol”. She received some helpful feedback on her work and was grateful for the funding to get there. Lorianne told us “I am excited to continue growing my network at the ACS National Conference to hopefully establish future collaborations.”
Jacob T. Bryant is in Professor Fernando Uribe-Romo’s laboratory. His oral presentation was on “Designing titania metal-organic framework photocatalysts using the principles of reticular chemistry”. Jacob was able to interact with several of his collaborators, initiate potential new collaborations, and help recruit candidates for the graduate program at UCF. He states that he is very appreciative of the funding provided.
Congratulations and good work, Lori and Jacob!
About Student Travel Awards: The Orlando Section of the American Chemical Society offers travel awards to students who are in need of financial supplement for their conference participations. Click here for more information about the awards and how to apply.
In the first bulletin of the year, we would like to bring to your attention a few pieces of important information:
Executive committee members: The members of the 2023 Executive Committee of the Orlando Section are:
Chair: Nicole Lapeyrouse Chair elect: Stephen Smith Intermediate Past Chair: Denisia Popolan-Vaida Councilor: Darlene Slattery Alternate Councilor: Laura Sessions Treasurer: Van Quach Secretary: Pavithra Pathirathna
Executive meeting – Our local section executive meeting is scheduled on the second Saturday of each month from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM via Zoom. We would like to renew our invitation to all our members to attend the meeting. If you are interested in joining our meeting, please do not hesitate to contact usfor zoom link and meeting agenda.
Travel awards – We would liketo remind you thatour local sectionoffers annual travel awards (up to 2 awards/meeting) for ACS student members to attend ACS local, regional, and national meetings (FAME, SERMAC, ACS National Meeting) to present their work. More details about the application procedure can be found on our website.
Chemists Celebrate Earth Week (CCEW): To promote the positive role that chemistry plays in the world, ACS established the Chemists Celebrate Earth Week public awareness campaign. This year, CCEW occurs on April 16–22 with the theme “The Curious Chemistry of Amazing Algae”. The Orlando Section participates in the following activities:
Distributing CCEW 2023 Celebrating Chemistry: Celebrating Chemistry is designed to engage and educate children ages 9–12 (Grades 4–6) in the basic principles of chemistry. The publication is available in English and Spanish and can be found on our website. We encourage you to share the publication to anyone who may be interested.
2023 Illustrated Poem Contest: The Orlando Section of the American Chemical Society (ACS) is hosting an illustrated poem contest for K-12 students. Entries must be sponsored by a local school or community group for verification purposes. The contest deadline is Sunday, April 30, 2023 at 11:59 PM Eastern. The theme of this year’s contest is “The Curious Chemistry of Amazing Algae.” One winner for each category will be recognized. Winners of the Orlando Section’s Illustrated Poem Contest will advance to the National Illustrated Poem Contest for a chance to be featured on the ACS website and win prizes!We encourage you to share the Flyer with K12’s students and teachers that you may know and to spread the message via social media. Please visit our website for detailed contest rules and submission information.
Participating in Central Florida Earth day: We have secured our presence in Central Florida Earth day at Lake Eola (on April 22nd, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM). At this event, we will distribute merchandises, materials about the Earth Day and perform chemistry demonstrations. Dr. Titel Jurca (UCF, titel.jurca@ucf.edu) will lead this event. Please contact him if you are interested in volunteering for this event.
Younger Chemist Committee – The Younger Chemist Committee (YCC) of the American Chemical (ACS) Society Orlando Section is established with a mission to advocate for, develop, and support rising chemists to positively impact their careers, the ACS, and the future of chemistry. If you are interested in joining YCC ACS Orlando or learning more about our events fill out this google form: https://forms.gle/bHLRDYKunCDqsFCb7. We are also looking to integrate future board members into the organization. Currently the board member positions that we are looking to refresh in the near future are Chair and Co-Chair. The responsibilities of the chair include guiding the vision of the club, ensuring previous ideas are implemented properly, taking finial decisions and leading the board. The responsibilities of co-chair include bringing in new ideas for events, supporting the chair, helping in decision making process.
We are seeking volunteers: We are actively seeking volunteers to participate/lead our local section’s activities and be appointed to several committees: Earth Day outreach, National Chemistry Week, Senior Chemists, Younger Chemists, Webmaster… Contact us if you are or know someone who is interested.
Best wishes,
Dr. Nicole Lapeyrouse Chair of the Orlando Section of the ACS On behalf of the Orlando Section executive committee
The 2023 Travel Awards have been given out for the year. The Orlando Section ACS was able to support 5 students with travel to ACS national meetings and FAME. Please check back at the beginning of 2024 for the next application cycle.
To encourage participation of students in local, regional, and national conferences organized by the American Chemical Society and its affiliates and to create opportunities for students to enhance their scientific experiences and networking, the Orlando Section of the American Chemical Society offers travel awards to students who are in need of financial supplement for their conference participations.
The awards will be given to selected students who participate in the Florida Annual Meeting and Exposition (FAME), the Southeastern Regional Meeting of The American Chemical Society (SERMACS), or the ACS National Meeting & Exposition. For each conference, up to two students will receive awards of up to $150, $250, or $500, respectively.
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 (acceptance of abstract)
Brief explanation of why travel award from the Orlando 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 for advisor indicating appropriate use of the travel award to registration, lodging, and/or travel expenses).
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis up to one month before the conference, so early submission is encouraged. Application package should be sent via email to Awards Committee Chair (Dr. Laura Sessions, lsessions@valenciacollege.edu). The committee will select awardees mainly based on applicant’s financial needs and date of application. Novelty and impact of research project is a bonus criterion.
The Orlando Section of the American Chemical Society held it’s annual awards banquet on Saturday, December 3 at the blu on the avenue restaurant in Winter Park. The event was attended by 60 members and guests and was considered a success by all.
Volunteers, 50-. 60-, and 70-year members were recognized for their dedication to the Society and to the Section. Outstanding individuals in eleven categories were recognized with plaques and checks. The 2022 winners are:
Award
Recipient
Organization
Eileen Tulley Award for Outstanding High School Student
Khadeejah Ahmed
Lake Nona High
Outstanding High School Teacher
Mrs. Emily Hill
Crooms Academy of Information Technology
Outstanding Undergraduates Students
Alivia Taylor Natali Barakat
Seminole States College University of Central Florida
Outstanding Grad Student
Mr. Muzammil Ahmed
Florida Institute of Technology
Outstanding Educator At a Teaching Institution
Dr. Angelina Georgieva
Keiser University
Outstanding Educator at a Primarily Research Institution
hosted 2022 NCW Illustrated Poem Contest for K-12 students in Central Florida. The theme of the contest is “Fabulous Fibers: The Chemistry of Fabrics.”
The contest received many entries from multiple schools. Thanks to the teachers who brought the contest to students’ attention.
Results of local contest:
K-2 Category No winner
Grade 3-5 Category Winner: Christienne Jette Tenerife from George Marks Elementary
Grade 6-8 Category Winner: Tyler Segrest from Tuskawilla Middle School
Grade 9-12 Category No winner
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.
The winner of each category also advances to the national 2022 NCW Illustrated Poem Contest. The full results of 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, contact@orlandoacs.org).
The Orlando Section of the American Chemical Society will recognize 2022 awards winners in a traditional annual awards banquet on December 3rd, 2022. You are invited to attend the banquet:
Saturday, December 3rd, 2022 11:30AM to 2:00PM At the blu on the avenue 326 Park Avenue South, Winter Park, FL 32789
MENU Appetizers Shrimp Cocktail 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 Pasta Primavera seasonal vegetables, grana padano cheese Chicken Piccata, white wine, butter, capers, lemon sauce garlic mash, seasonal vegetable Salmon, tomato bruschetta, balsamic glaze, garlic mash, seasonal vegetable Dessert Key Lime Trifle, Apple Caramel Crisp Trifle Beverages Iced tea, soft beverages, and Illy coffee Cash bar is available
The cost will be $30/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/VjGJrT4GpJnsnLtw6, or by email to contact@orlandoacs.org, or calling Darlene Slattery at 321-632-2535. Reservations must be made by November 26, 2022. Please include names so that we can provide nametags.
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
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 3rd, 2022. Student nominees need not be currently enrolled in chemistry but can be nominated for achievements for the spring 2022 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. Email PDF letters to Dr. Darlene Slattery, Chair of the Orlando Section Awards Committee at dslattery1@cfl.rr.com. To be considered, nominations must be received by Friday November 4th, 2022 November 9th, 2022.
Nominators of awardees are expected to participate in the local Section’s annual banquet to introduce the awardees.
* Point of contact for nominated company must be included in the letter.
Orlando Section accepting 24th ChemLuminary Award for Outstanding Ongoing CCEW Event.
At the 24th ChemLuminary Award ceremony on August 23, 2022, at the ACS National Meeting in Chicago, the Orlando Local Section received the Outstanding Ongoing CCEW Event award sponsored by Committee on Community Activities (CCA). This award recognizes a local section for an outstanding CCEW event that has been conducted for at least three years.
For more than a decade, except for 2020 thanks to the pandemic, each year, our local section participates in Central Florida Earth day to promote the positive role that chemistry plays in the world. Our events often attract hundreds of attendees to our tent for chemistry demonstrations and hands-on activities as well as discussion with volunteers.
This is the first ever ChemLuminary Award received by the Orlando Section.
In addition, our National Chemistry Week event at the Orlando Science Center is in the finalist of the Outstanding Community Involvement in NCW award.
The Orlando Section held a summer social on Saturday, June 25 at Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurant. The well-attended event included recognition of the 95th anniversary of the ACS Women’s Chemist Committee, an interesting talk by Dr. Christina Drake of Kismet Technologies, and recognition of long-serving members of the ACS.
Those members celebrating 50 years were:
Dr. Susan Allen
Dr. James Bellows
Dr. Nancy Leissing
Mr. John Windsor Jr.
60-Year members included:
Dr. Charles Beck
Mr. George Cheryan
Dr. Michael Farona
Ms. Margaret Oglesby
Dr. William Steele
And recognized as a 70-Year Member was:
Mr. Robert Dunmire
We congratulate all and thank each for their many years of service to ACS.
An award was also presented to Dr. Chris Chouinard for his service to the Section. Chris, a past Chair of the Orlando Section and the overall Chair for SERMACS 2025, will be leaving Florida to assume a new faculty position in South Carolina. While we will miss in-person interactions with Chris, he will continue to oversee the planning for 2025 meeting.
Winner of Grade K-2 category (Local Contest): Ranvitha Vivek, 1st grader from Heathrow Elementary School (Lake Mary)
Winner of grade 3-5 Category
Winner of Grade 3-5 category (Local Contest): Lakshitha Bhandari, a 4th grader, from Goldsboro Elementary Magnet School (Sanford)
Runner-up of grade 3-5 Category
Runner-up of Grade 3-5 category (Local Contest): Aadhav Kumar, a 3rd grader, from Wilson Elementary School (Sanford)
Runner-up of grade 3-5 Category
Runner-up of Grade 3-5 category (Local Contest): Mackenzie Gordon, a 4th grader, from English Estates Elementary (Fern Park)
Winner of grade 9-12 Category
Winner of Grade 9-12 category (Local Contest): Eric Segrest, a 10th grader, from Lake Highland Prep School (Orlando)
1st Place of grade K-2 Category
1st Place of Grade K-2 category (National Contest): Second Grader, Stonemill Elementary School, Chemical Society of Washington
2nd Place of grade K-2 Category
Second Place of Grade K-2 category (National Contest): Second Grader, Capital Montessori School, Puget Sound Local Section
1st Place of grade 3-5 Category
1st Place of Grade 3-5 category (National Contest): Fifth Grader, Jumoke Academy at the Hartford Conservatory, Connecticut Valley Local Section
2nd Place of grade 3-5 Category
2nd Place of Grade 3-5 category (National Contest): Fifth Grader, Howard Drive Elementary, South Florida Local Section
1st Place of grade 6-8 Category
1st Place of Grade 6-8 category (National Contest): Sixth Grader, Jefferson Middle School, Midland Local Section
2nd Place of grade 6-8 Category
2nd Place of Grade 6-8 category (National Contest): Seventh Grader, The Harker School, Silicon Valley Local Section
1st Place of grade 9-12 Category
1st Place of Grade 9-12 category (National Contest): Eleventh Grader, Calloway County High School, Kentucky Lake Local Section
2nd Place of grade 9-12 Category
2nd Place of Grade 9-12 category (National Contest): Eleventh Grader, PA Leadership Charter School, Pittsburgh Local Section
To promote the positive role that chemistry plays in the world, the American Chemical Society (ACS) established the Chemists Celebrate Earth Week (CCEW) public awareness campaign. Among many other activities, the Orlando Section of the ACS hosted 2022 CCEW Illustrated Poem Contest for K-12 students in Central Florida. The theme of the contest is “The Buzz About Bugs: Insect Chemistry.”
The contest received many entries from multiple schools. Thanks to the teachers who brought the contest to students’ attention.
Results of local contest:
Grade K-2 Category Winner: Ranvitha Vivek from Heathrow Elementary School, guided by Amber Mash
Grade 3-5 Category* Winner: Lakshitha Bhandari from Goldsboro Elementary Magnet School, guided by Mary Lynn Hess Runner-up: Aadhav Kumar from Wilson Elementary School, guided by Nicole Chavez Runner-up: Mackenzie Gordon from English Estates Elementary, guided by Kelly Atterbury
Grade 6-8 Category No winner
Grade 9-12 Category Winner: Eric Segrest from Lake Highland Preparatory School, guided by Steve Math
The winner of each category will receive a certificate and a monetary award of $50. The runners-up of Grade 3-5 category will receive a certificate and a monetary award of $25. The teacher who guided the winner of each category and the runners-up of Grade 3-5 category will receive a school supply funding of $100 and $50, respectively.
The winner of each category also advances to the national 2022 CCEW Illustrated Poem Contest. The full results of 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 CCEW coordinator (Dr. Duy Le, duy.le@ucf.edu).
*Because Grade 3-5 category received a large number of high-quality entries, the executive committee of the local section voted to give two tied runner-up awards for this category.
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.
