MINI INDULGENCE DESSERTS COFFEE, TEA AND SOFT DRINKS INCLUDED 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 below or at the door using cash or check.
We are excited to announce the candidates for 2027 Executive Committee of the Orlando Local Section of the American Chemical Society. Voting is expected to open on November 8th, 2026 and will close on November 15th, 2026. You will receive an email with instructions on how to cast your votes electronically.
Candidate for Chair-Elect: Dr. Chauncey Splichal
R. Chauncey Splichal received his Bachelor of Science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2015 and PhD from Michigan State University in 2025 both in Chemical Engineering. In between schools he performed independent research with Vajra Instruments in Lincoln, NE developing methods for improved particle suspension in polymer matrices and gold nanoparticle necklace formation to create room temperature micro-transistors. His doctoral research focused on polymer-based RNA encapsulation and delivery, the effects of patient disease and cellular stress states on RNA therapeutics, and therapeutic protein production in industrial mammalian cell culture systems. He served as president of the Chemical Engineering Graduate Student Association and received several honors, including Graduate Student of the Year and Best Poster Presentation at Engineering Conferences International’s Biochemical and Molecular Engineering XXIII conference in Dublin, Ireland.
Currently, Dr. Splichal is an Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering at Florida Institute of Technology where he teaches Chemical Engineering Plant Design, Materials Laboratory, and Introduction to Environmental Engineering. He is committed to building partnerships with regional industry that create opportunities for collaborative research and meaningful senior design experiences for students.
Candidate for Secretary: Dr. Sana Karbalaei
Dr. Sana Karbalaei is a bioinorganic and synthetic chemist who develops responsive MRI contrast agents and antioxidant catalysts to detect and control oxidative stress. Dr. Karbalaei completed an NIH Postdoctoral Fellowship at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital’s Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, where she designed redox-active iron(III) complexes for molecular MR imaging of liver inflammation. She earned her Ph.D. in Inorganic and Synthetic Organic Chemistry from Auburn University under the mentorship of Professor Christian R. Goldsmith, developing quinol functionalized macrocyclic complexes that act as “turn-on” ¹H and ¹⁹F MRI sensors for hydrogen peroxide and as efficient catalase and superoxide dismutase mimics. Her earlier M.S. in Bioanalytical Chemistry at Isfahan University of Technology focused on DNA-based electrochemical biosensors for antioxidant analysis. Her research has been published in leading journals, including Chemical Science, Inorganic Chemistry, Chemistry, and Chemical Communications, and has resulted in a U.S. patent application. She contributed to NSF and NIH grants supporting oxidative stress sensing and molecular MRI of inflammation. Her honors include a Dow Fellowship, an ACS Division of Inorganic Chemistry Travel Award, and the Robert S. Newman Graduate Award. She has presented at numerous national and international conferences, was recognized by Auburn University as a “Woman Impacting STEM,” and mentors undergraduate and Ph.D. students in chemistry. An ACS member since 2018, Dr. Karbalaei belongs to the Division of Inorganic Chemistry and its Bioinorganic Subdivision, served as Social Chair of the Auburn ACS Younger Chemists Committee, and was Head Judge for Chemistry at the 2025 East Alabama–West Georgia ACS Local Section meeting. A member of the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE) since 2019, she served as Social Chair of the Auburn chapter.
Candidate for Secretary: Mr. Josh Knorr
Josh Knorr holds a Bachelor’s degree (2011) and a Master’s degree (2013) in Chemistry from the University of Central Florida (UCF), as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science (2025) from Florida State University (FSU). Since 2014, he has worked in the flavor and fragrance industry as an analytical chemist and laboratory manager. He has also served as an adjunct professor at several institutions and currently teaches at Valencia College and Florida Polytechnic University. Additionally, he has experience as a third-party GC-MS Field Applications Engineer contracted with Agilent Technologies. His diverse professional background combines expertise in analytical chemistry, laboratory management, technology, and higher education.
Candidate for Treasurer: Dr. Van Quach
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.
Candidates for Councilor: Dr. Laura Sessions
Dr. Sessions hails from Winter Park, FL, where she spent her formative years. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and a doctorate degree from Dartmouth College. Over the past sixteen years at Valencia College, she has demonstrated outstanding commitment through her work as an educator and her service in leadership roles, including Department Chair, Faculty Association Council member, and multiple endowed chairs. Outside of Valencia, she currently serves on the OrganicERs Leadership Board and the ACS Two-Year College (2YC) Recognition Program Advisory Board. Notably, Dr. Sessions has been an active volunteer within the ACS Orlando Section since 2015, contributing in a variety of capacities, including Alternate Councilor, Awards Chair, and Section Chair. Her dedication to the organization is further reflected in her appointment to the ACS Committee on Fiscal Affairs (formerly the Budget & Finance Committee) for 2023-2026. Dr. Sessions has been happy to serve as Councilor for the Orlando Section from 2023-2026. Drawing on her leadership experience and longstanding engagement with ACS, Dr. Sessions would be honored to continue representing the Orlando Section as Councilor.
On behalf of the ACS Orlando Section Younger Chemists Committee, I’m pleased to invite you to our inaugural event on Friday, November 13th, from 5:00pm to 8:00pm at the 4th Street Fillin Station in Cocoa Beach.
This casual evening is an opportunity to connect with chemists and scientists across Central Florida’s research and industry community and learn more about the ACS Orlando Section YCC. We would be thrilled to have you join us!
Please feel free to share this invitation with your chemistry colleagues.
The Orlando Section of the American Chemical Society (ACS) is seeking enthusiastic volunteers to participate in our upcoming National Chemistry Week (NCW) Outreach Event at the Orlando Science Center on Saturday, October 17!
Join us for a fun and engaging day of hands-on science activities as we bring chemistry to life and inspire curiosity and excitement about science in our community.
Volunteers are needed to:
Lead or assist with hands-on chemistry activities and demonstrations
Help participants explore the chemistry and science of construction
Explain scientific concepts in a fun, engaging, and accessible way
Assist with event setup and cleanup
Welcome and interact with visitors throughout the event
Important: All adult volunteers must complete the ACS-required background check prior to participating in the event, in accordance with the ACS Youth Protection Policy.
For questions or additional information, please contact the event coordinator, Dr. Denisia Popolan-Vaida, at denisia.popolan-vaida@ucf.edu.
We greatly appreciate your willingness to volunteer and help make this National Chemistry Week event a success. We look forward to seeing you at the Orlando Science Center!
The Young Chemists Committee (YCC) of the ACS Orlando Section is being revamped and returning to the Orlando area. Our goal is to bring together young chemists from universities and organizations throughout the greater Orlando area and create opportunities to connect, learn, and build community.
Our vision is twofold: first, to develop outreach events that introduce young students to the excitement and power of chemistry; and second, to organize events that connect undergraduate students, graduate students, and industry professionals.
Julian Vlad, a third-year PhD candidate at the Florida Institute of Technology, serves as Chair of the YCC. If you have questions, are interested in getting involved, or would like to collaborate with the committee, please reach out to Julian at his email.
The Orlando Section of the ACS is seeking individuals interested in joining our 2027 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, Pavithra Pathirathna (ppathirathna@fit.edu), with any additional questions.
To make a nomination, complete the nomination form or email nomination information (name of nominee, contact information, and nominated position) to Pavithra Pathirathna (ppathirathna@fit.edu). All nominations must be submitted by November 1st, 2026. 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
The Orlando Section of the ACS sponsored two students with Student Travel Awards to the Fall Meeting in Chicago.
FNU Joshua, graduate student at UCF in Dr. Lei Zhai’s group, shared that: attending the ACS Fall 2026 meeting was a very meaningful experience for me. It gave me the opportunity not only to present my research, but also to learn from researchers working across many different areas of chemistry. Seeing the current trends and emerging directions in chemistry-related research broadened my perspective and gave me new ideas that I can carry into my future research. I also appreciated the opportunity to discuss my work with other researchers, receive feedback, and make new professional connections. Overall, the conference helped me grow both scientifically and professionally, and I am very grateful for the travel award support that made this experience possible.
Alec DeCecco is a graduate student at UCF in Dr. Denisia Popolan-Vaida’s group. He shared that: A particularly important aspect of my participation was the opportunity to disseminate my own research to the broader scientific community. Presenting my work allowed me to share recent findings, receive constructive feedback from experts in related fields, and engage in discussions that helped refine my scientific perspectives. These interactions not only increased the visibility of my research but also provided valuable insights that will help guide future investigations.
In addition to presenting my work, I benefited greatly from interacting with scientists from diverse disciplines, institutions, and career stages. Exposure to a wide range of research topics and approaches broadened my understanding of current developments across the chemical sciences and encouraged me to consider new ways of addressing challenges within my own research program. The scientific presentations, discussions, and networking opportunities strengthened my ability to communicate my research to both specialists and broader scientific audiences while fostering potential future collaborations.
I am sincerely grateful to the ACS Orlando Section for its financial support, which made it possible for me to participate in this outstanding professional development experience. The opportunity to disseminate my research, engage in scientific exchange, and build new professional connections has been invaluable. The knowledge, feedback, and relationships gained through this experience will continue to contribute to the advancement of my research program and my growth as a scientist, educator, and mentor.
The Section is seeking a volunteer to serve as our Chemistry Olympiad Coordinator, helping to promote and administer the U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad (USNCO), a multi-tiered competition that challenges and recognizes outstanding high school chemistry students and provides a pathway to national and international competition. The coordinator works with local schools and students to facilitate participation in the program and support the local examination process.
You can find more information here. Please email the Orlando Section Chair (Toufiq Reza) with your interest.
The Executive Committee extends its sincere gratitude to Dr. Mary Roslonowski for her many years of dedicated service in this role and for her significant contributions to the success of our Chemistry Olympiad program.
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 5th, 2026. Student nominees need not be currently enrolled in chemistry but can be nominated for achievements for the spring 2026 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 FridayOctober 30, 2026.
Complete the form and upload PDF letters to the link here or scan the QR.
Nominators of awardees are expected to participate in the Orlando Section’s annual banquet to introduce the awardees.
Save the date for the Annual Awards Banquet to be held on December 5, 2026.
The Orlando Section of the American Chemical Society (ACS) is hosting an illustrated poem contest for students in Kindergarten through 12th grade. Entries must be sponsored by a local school or community group for verification purposes. For local contest, submission form is needed but parent/Guardian signature is not required.
Contest Deadline:
Tuesday, October 20, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern
Local Prizes:
One winner* will be awarded $50 and one runner up* will be awarded $25 for each of the flowing categories: Grades K-2 Grades 3-5 Grades 6-8 Grades 9-12 *Submissions must be of high quality, aligned with the contest’s theme, and achieve the highest score.
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 to win prizes!
Neatness – free of spelling and grammatical errors
Contest rules:
• All poems must be no more than 40 words, and in one of the following styles to be considered: Haiku, Limerick, Ode, ABC poem, Free verse, End rhyme, and Blank verse. • Entries are judged based upon relevance to and incorporation of the yearly topic (the 2026 theme is Chemistry Under Construction), the word choice and the imagery, colorful artwork, adherence to poem style, originality and creativity, and overall presentation. • All entries must be original works without aid from others. Physical drawings may be scanned or captured via camera and submitted digitally. Illustrations may be created using crayons, watercolors, other types of paint, colored pencils, or markers. • The illustration may also be electronically created by using a digital painting and drawing app on a computer, tablet, or mobile device. If the illustration is created using a digital painting or drawing app, the name of the program must be included on the entry form. • Use of AI in any form (i.e. written or pictorial) is strictly prohibited. • The text of the poem should be easy to read and may be typed before the hand-drawn or digital illustration is added, or the poem may be written on lined paper, which is cut out and pasted onto the unlined paper with the illustration. • No clipart or unoriginal images can be used. • Only one entry per student will be accepted (without assistance from others). • Students must be sponsored by a school or another sponsoring community group (e.g., Homeschool Association, Boys and Girls Club, Scout Troop, 4-H, etc.). • Acceptance of prizes constitutes consent to use winners’ names, likenesses, and entries for editorial, advertising, and publicity purposes. • Students must have parental/guardian permission and signature to enter the contest. • No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Sponsored by the American Chemical Society. All rights reserved. All information provided herein pertains to the Illustrated Poem Content. This information may be updated or changed for future contests. • Parent/Guardian Signature is not required for local contest. We will request parent/guardian signature only for the Poems that go to the national contest. • Teachers of the winners of local contest will present awards to the winners on behalf of the Orlando Local Section.
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