The Orlando Section of the American Chemical Society held it’s annual awards banquet on Saturday, December 6th, 2025 at the At Helena Modern Riviera (ICON Park).
The 2025 winners are:
Award
Recipient
Organization
The Eileen Tulley Award for Outstanding High School Student
SAlejandra Jaramillo Marin
Tohopekaliga High School
Outstanding Student at a primarily teaching institution
LeeAnn Andrews
Keiser University
Outstanding Student at a primarily research institution
Elisa Guerrero Supriya Bera
University of Central Florida Florida Institute of Technology
Outstanding Graduate Student
Pritha Sarkar
University of Central Florida
Outstanding High School Teacher
Kennan Wasinger
Lake Brantley High School
Outstanding Educator at a Primarily Research Institution
Alan B. Brown
Florida Institute of Technology
Outstanding Chemist
Rudolf J. Wehmschulte
Florida Institute of Technology
Outstanding Entrepreneur/Employer
University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program (Rafael Caamano)
The Orlando Local Section of the American Chemical Society is excited to announce the results from our 2026 Executive Committee election. The voting opened on November 8, 2025, and closed on November 15, 2025.
Congratulations to our 2026 officers:
Chair-Elect: Dr. Pavithra Pathirathna Secretary: Dr. Meghan McGreal Treasurer: Dr. Van Quach Councilor: Dr. Nicole Lapeyrouse
Electronic record of the results can be found here.
We would also like to thank the 2025 executive committee for their service and support of the local section. We hope to see you all at our annual awards banquet next month on December 6th.
Please don’t forget to subscribe to our LinkedIn, follow our Facebook page, and check out our website for updated news, and activities of our local section
We are excited to announce the candidates for 2026 Executive Committee of the Orlando Local Section of the American Chemical Society. Voting is expected to open on November 8th, 2025 and will close on November 15th, 2025. You will receive an email with instructions on how to cast your votes electronically.
Dr. Pavithra Pathirathna Candidate for Chair-Elect
Dr. Pavithra Pathirathna is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at the Florida Institute of Technology. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, and earned her Ph.D. in Chemistry under the mentorship of Dr. Parastoo Hashemi at Wayne State University, Michigan. She then conducted her postdoctoral research with Dr. Shigeru Amemiya at the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Pathirathna’s interdisciplinary and translational research focuses on developing and optimizing electrochemical sensors for the analysis of biologically and environmentally significant metals and neurotransmitters, with applications in point-of-care diagnostics. Her research has been supported by the Naval Research Laboratory and the National Science Foundation. Among her distinctions are the Outstanding Educator at a Research Institution Award from the American Chemical Society (ACS) and the Educator of the Year Award from United Bridge Inc. In addition to her academic and research roles, she has led STEM clubs at Palm Bay Middle School and Pineapple Cove Classical Academy, promoting hands-on science education for young learners. Dr. Pathirathna served as Secretary of the ACS Orlando Section (2021–2024) and currently serves as a reviewer for several scientific journals and funding agencies. Her commitment to advancing chemical education, research, and community engagement continues to reflect the mission and values of the ACS.
Dr. Meghan McGreal Candidate for Secretary
Meghan McGreal is an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Stetson University in DeLand. She earned her undergraduate degree at the University of North Carolina at Asheville, and her master’s and doctorate degrees from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. She is a computational chemist with a research focus on metalloenzyme catalysis and biomimetic modifications to the active sites of these enzymes. Dr. McGreal is the faculty adviser to the Stetson University ACS Student Chapter and is a founding member of the Stetson Inclusive Pedagogy Faculty Cohort. Dr. McGreal is very passionate about undergraduate chemistry education, as well as providing connections and outreach opportunities for the public to experience chemistry. With the newly formed ACS student chapter, she has been very involved in outreach, performing experiments with children at many events such as the Downtown DeLand Monsters on Main Street Halloween Event and the Orlando Science Center National Chemistry Week event with the local section. Dr. McGreal has been a member of the ACS since she was an undergraduate student as well as secretary for the local section for the past year. She also served as volunteer coordinator for SERMACS/SWRM 2025 here in Orlando. She very much appreciates the opportunity to connect with other chemists at conferences and events with the Orlando local section and is excited to continue developing these connections with other chemists in the area, to get more involved, and to start getting others at Stetson more involved in the local section.
Dr. Van Quach Candidate for Treasurer
Van Quach has proudly served as Treasurer of the Orlando Section of the American Chemical Society since 2019. He is also a Professor of Chemistry at Seminole State College, where he has been inspiring students since 2010. Dr. Quach earned his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Florida in 1999. After taking time to travel and explore, he continued his academic journey at Florida State University, where his doctoral research focused on the theoretical and fundamental processes involved in chemical separations—specifically, the temperature dependence of phase ratios in liquid chromatography systems. He completed his Ph.D. in 2009 and spent two years teaching at FSU before returning to Central Florida to join Seminole State College. Outside the classroom, Dr. Quach enjoys experimenting in the kitchen, getting lost in a good book, and savoring a well-crafted glass of wine.
Dr. Nicole Lapeyrouse Candidate for Councilor
Nicole Lapeyrouse is an associate lecturer at the University of Central Florida (UCF). She performed her undergraduate studies at Florida International University and her graduate work at UCF. At UCF, her research focuses on chemistry education. Dr. Lapeyrouse’s current research has three main focuses with the overall goal of increasing student retention in STEM. This includes investigating student’ perception of teaching practices and their experience with unique multimedia. In addition, her research group looks at identifying factors that impact students’ STEM identity. Some of her prestigious distinctions include Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching, Affordable Instructional Materials High-Impact Individual Award Recipient for the use of Open Education Resources, and Undergraduate Research Mentor of the Year.
Dr. Denisia Popolan-Vaida Candidate for Councilor
Dr. Denisia Popolan-Vaida is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Central Florida and an active member of the Orlando Section of the American Chemical Society (ACS). She served as Chair of the section in 2022 and has coordinated the National Chemistry Week (NCW) events since 2021. In recognition of her outstanding outreach efforts, Dr. Popolan-Vaida was honored by the ACS as the 2024 Outreach Volunteer of the Year. Additionally, one of the NCW events she organized received the 2023 ChemLuminary Award for Outstanding Community Involvement in National Chemistry Week. Dr. Popolan-Vaida research focuses on combustion and atmospheric chemistry, contributing to a deeper understanding of chemical processes relevant to energy and the environment. Prior to joining UCF, she earned her Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from the University of Ulm, Germany, and completed postdoctoral research at the University of California, Berkeley and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Dr. Popolan-Vaida is the co-author of over 35 peer-reviewed scientific publications and has received several notable awards, including the Feodor Lynen Research Fellowship, DAAD Scholarship (German Academic Exchange Program), Erasmus Scholarship, and the EMSPS Scholarship (European Mobility Scheme for Physics Students). In June 2022, she was awarded the DOE Early Career Research Award.
Join us for a traditional awards banquet as the Orlando Section of the American Chemical Society honors our 2025 award recipients.
Saturday, December 6th, 2025 11:30AM to 2:00PM Location:Helena Modern Riviera 8441 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819 (ICON Park)
Lunch Menu Appetizers Beef or Veggie Empanadas Bruschetta Crostini
Iberian Caesar Salad
Entrée choice of Pasta Primavera Seasonal veggies tossed over pasta in an olive oil, garlic white wine sauce Lady and the Tramp Spaghetti with homemade meatballs with our Marinara Sauce Vegetarian Paella Valencia rice, mushrooms, broccolini, asparagus, peas, artichokes, veggie consommé Chicken Pinxhos Chicken skewers and a bed of garlic mashed potatoes
Beverages Fountain drinks Cash bar available
The cost to attend is $25 per person, which includes tax and gratuity. The Section will cover the total bill with a single payment. You may pay in advance via the RSVP link or at the door using cash or check
The Orlando Section of the ACS is seeking individuals interested in joining our 2026 Executive Board. We have four positions up for election: Chair Elect, Secretary, Treasurer, and Councilor. A description of each position is included below. Please contact the nomination committee chair, Toufiq Reza (treza@fit.edu), with any additional questions.
To make a nomination, complete thenomination form or email nomination information (name of nominee, contact information, and nominated position) to Toufiq Reza (treza@fit.edu). All nominations must be submitted by November 1st, 2025. Voting will open on November 8th, instructions for voting by electronic ballot will be sent before the voting period opens.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Chair Elect (one-year term; three-year term total). The main responsibilities are:
To vote/participate in executive board decisions
Serve as chair for meetings which the Chair cannot attend
Succeed to office of Chair for the next year
Treasurer (one-year term). The main responsibilities are:
Prepare the annual budget/expenditures report for Nationals
Maintain the Section bank account
Maintain a budget, disbursements, expenditures, and accounting for the Section activities
To vote/participate in executive board decisions
Secretary (one-year term). The main responsibilities are:
To take notes at exec meetings
To set-up and distribute ballots for elections (mostly electronic now)
Oversee website and social media communications
To vote/participate in executive board decisions
Councilor (three-year term). The main responsibilities are:
To attend national meeting annually, represent the Section, and report back activities
Assist in preparing and submitting the annual report to the national office
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 6th, 2025. Student nominees need not be currently enrolled in chemistry but can be nominated for achievements for the spring 2025 term. Nominees for awards need not be members.
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 google doc form (link below) and uploading PDF letters in the appropriate places on the form. Questions can be directed to Dr. Laura Sessions, Chair of the Orlando Section Awards Committee at lsessions@valenciacollege.edu. To be considered, nominations must be received by 5pm FridayNovember 7, 2025.
Celebrating Chemistry magazines displayed at a local library.
The Orlando Section of the American Chemical Society is on a mission to spark a love for chemistry among children in Central Florida. For the past few years, we have distributed Celebrating Chemistry magazines to local library systems, providing resources that make chemistry accessible and exciting for young learners.
For 2025 National Chemistry Week (NCW), the Orlando Local Section of the American Chemical Society (ACS) will distribute Celebrating Chemistry magazines to library systems of 7 counties around central Florida: Brevard, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Sumter, and Volusia.
Representative from each county library should submit this request form to request the magazines. We only ship the magazine to one address per county, preferably, to the main branch/office, from which the magazines will be distributed through county library system.
The American Chemical Society (ACS) has announced the launch of the ACS Graduate Student Success Grant, a new initiative aimed at supporting graduate students affected by the termination or cancellation of their adviser’s research funding.
The ACS Board of Directors has approved a total of $2.5 million for this program. The grant is designed to assist MS and PhD students who are within one year of completing their degree and whose progress has been disrupted due to the loss of their adviser’s research grant(s).
Eligible students may receive up to $25,000 for one year, with funding awarded per research institution.
Applications will open on September 15 and close on October 1. Additional information about the grant can be found at www.acs.org/gradsuccessgrant.
The SERMACS/SWRM 2025 Conference is seeking a Volunteer Coordinator to lead efforts managing volunteers from local academic institutions. This vital role includes:
• Assigning roles and responsibilities
• Creating and managing volunteer schedules
• Providing on-site coordination during the conference
This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to a major scientific event while building leadership and organizational experience. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, proactive, and available to be on-site throughout the conference.
If you are interested in this role, please contact the SERMACS 2025 General Co-Chairs Christopher Chouinard at cchouin@clemson.edu.
April Event: Central Florida Earth Day at Lake Eola
The Orlando Section of the American Chemical Society (ACS) will be participating in the 20th annual Central Florida Earth Day event at Lake Eola Park (east side), 512 E. Washington Street Orlando, FL on Saturday April 19th, 2025 from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM. All members and affiliates are welcome to stop by and say hi to our wonderful volunteers and meet some local section members. The ACS-Orlando booth will be located at the Tent Vendor 6 site on the International Bridge.
Our May event will be a tour at the Lakeridge Winery planned for Saturday May 17th. More information: https://www.lakeridgewinery.com/.
Also coming soon: our annual Summer Social event coming in June – lunch and a speaker!
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