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:
We are excited to announce the candidates for 2025 Executive Committee of the Orlando Local Section of the American Chemical Society. Voting is expected to open on November 11th, 2024 and will close on November 22nd, 2024. You will receive an email with instructions on how to cast your votes electronically.
Dr. Toufiq Reza Candidate for Chair-Elect
Dr. Toufiq Rezais an Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering at the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering of Florida Institute of Technology. He received his Ph.D. and M.S. in Chemical Engineering from University of Nevada, Reno in 2013 and 2011, respectively. He has published one hundred and twelve peer-reviewed journal articles, five patents, two book chapters, and more than one hundred oral and poster presentations. Dr. Reza was named to the I&EC Research 2021 Class of Influential Researchers. He is also listed in the “World Ranking of Top 2% Scientists” in 2021-2023 database published by Stanford University. Dr. Reza leads the Biofuels Research Lab at Florida Tech with primary research interest on thermochemical conversions of biomass and biowastes. His research has been funded by NSF, DOE, USDA, EPA, Florida Sea Grant, and USAID. Dr. Reza is a member of multiple scientific societies including AIChE, ACS, and ASABE and their local sections. He is an officer of AIChE Environmental Division and co-chair of technical section – Water. He is also the Chair of PRS-707 Food & Organic Waste Management & Utilization at the ASABE and Vice-Chair of ASE-12 Forest Engineering. Dr. Reza wants to bring his experience with other scientific society and to serve at the ACS Orlando Section as Chair-Elect.
Dr. Pavithra Pathirathna Candidate for Secretary
Pavithra Pathirathna is an Assistant 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. under Parastoo Hashemi in the Department of Chemistry at Wayne State University, MI. She conducted her postdoctoral research at the University of Pittsburgh with Shigeru Amemiya. Pavithra’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 funded by the Naval Research Laboratory and the National Science Foundation. Among her prestigious distinctions are the Outstanding Educator at a Research Institute award from the ACS and the Educator of the Year award from United Bridge Inc. In addition to her academic and research roles, she has led a STEM club at Palm Bay Middle School and has been serving as the secretary of the ACS Orlando section since 2021. She also serves as a reviewer for several journals.
Dr. Meghan McGreal Candidate for Secretary and Candidate for Alternate Councilor
Dr. 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 performed experiments with children at the NOBBCChE Stem Festival as well as at the Downtown DeLand Monsters on Main Street Halloween Event, which had close to 10,000 people in attendance.
Dr. McGreal has been a member of the ACS since she was an undergraduate student and has appreciated the opportunity to connect with other chemists at conferences and events throughout her career. She is a new addition to the Orlando Section of the ACS and is excited about the opportunity to get more involved.
Dr. Van Quach Candidate for Treasurer
Dr. Van Quach has been the treasurer of the Orlando Section since 2019. In addition, he is a professor of chemistry at Seminole State College. He has been teaching there since Aug 2010. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from the University of Florida in 1999. After taking some time off for travel, he made his way up to Tallahassee, FL to start graduate school. At Florida State University, his research focused on better understanding of the theoretical and fundamental processes that occur during chemical separation. Specifically, he investigated the temperature dependence of the phase ration in liquid chromatography systems. He received his Ph.D. in 2009 and taught for two years at FSU before returning to the central Florida area to teach at Seminole State College. In his spare time, he enjoys cooking, reading, and drinking good wines.
Dr. Nicole Lapeyrouse Candidate for Alternate Councilor
Dr. Nicole Lapeyrouse is a lecturer at the University of Central Florida (UCF). She performed her undergraduate studies at Florida International University and 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, she explores representation in STEM instructor materials, including textbooks, PowerPoints, and other resources. Finally, 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 use of Open Education Resources, and Undergraduate Research Mentor of the Year.
Dr. Chris Avery Candidate for Alternate Councilor
Dr. Chris Avery is a Managing Director for ICF, an international environmental consulting firm. He works with agencies and governments in achieving their goals on energy and environmental products and informing government choices with science. He received his Bachelors in chemistry from Hope College in 2005, before heading to the University of Michigan for a Masters and Ph.D. in Chemistry. His thesis work focused on understanding how proteins and peptides interact with cellular membranes. After graduate school, he went to Washington DC as a AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellow, working in Congress and the Department of Energy. He has been an advocate for broader awareness of alternative scientific careers for chemists, especially in the policy realm. He has served in various roles within ACS, both nationally and locally, including as the chair of the Committee on Environment and Sustainability, and as a Councilor and Alternate Councilor for the Chemical Society of Washington, the ACS local section in Washington DC. He moved to our local section 5 years ago to be closer to family, and in his spare time enjoys cooking and spending time with friends and loved ones. Since coming to Orlando, he has participated in the development of the upcoming SERMACS meeting taking place in Orlando in 2025.
Due to the effect of hurricane Milton, this event has been rescheduled
Join the ACS Orlando Section of the American Chemical Society and Orlando Science Center for a community event for National Chemistry Week and celebrate the importance of chemistry in everyday life! Learn about this year’s theme, Picture Perfect Chemistry, with exciting hands-on activities.
The Orlando Section of the ACS is seeking individuals interested in joining our 2025 Executive Board. We have five positions up for election: Chair Elect, Secretary, Treasurer, and Alternate Councilor. A description of each position is included below. Please contact the nomination committee chair, Brian Mosby (bmosby@rollins.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 Brian Mosby (bmosby@rollins.edu). All nominations must be submitted by November 1st, 2024. 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
Alternate Councilor (three-year term). The main responsibilities are:
In the absence of the Councilor’s ability to attend, attend national meetings, represent the Section, and report back activities
Assist in preparing and submitting the annual report to the national office
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.
Contest_Deadline:
Sunday, October 27, 2024 at 11:59 PM Eastern
Local Prizes:
One winner will be awarded ($50) for each of the flowing categories: Grades K-2 Grades 3-5 Grades 6-8 Grades 9-12 The teacher who guided the winner will receive a small funding ($100) for classroom supplies.
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!
How to participate:
Write and illustrate a poem using the NCE theme, “Picture Perfect Chemistry.” Your poem must be no more than 40 words and in the following styles to be considered:
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 NCW theme, word choice and imagery, colorful artwork, adherence to poem style, originality and creativity, and overall presentation. · All entries must be original works without aid from others. Poems may be submitted by hand on an unlined sheet of paper not larger than 11” by 14” or scanned and sent via email. 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. · 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; all entries must include an entry form. If the illustration is created using a digital painting or drawing app, the name of the program must be included on the entry form. · Acceptance of prizes constitutes consent to use winners’ first name, and entry for editorial, advertising, and publicity purposes. · Do not place participant names on the front of your poem.
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 7th, 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 WednesdayNovember 13, 2024.
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.
Join the ACS Orlando Section of the American Chemical Society and Orlando Science Center for a community event for National Chemistry Week and celebrate the importance of chemistry in everyday life! Learn about this year’s theme, Picture Perfect Chemistry, with exciting hands-on activities.
If you are interested in helping out with the event, please fill out this form by September 20, 2024. Any question, please contact Dr. Denisia Popolan-Vaida (Denisia.Popolan-Vaida@ucf.edu). https://ucf.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8ujiyI7Mz1VC2uq
Chemistry & Community: A Membership Meet-Up Date: Saturday, September 21 Time: 10:00 AM Location: Valencia College Lake Nona Campus room 148 12350 Narcoossee Rd., Orlando, FL 32832
Join us for an engaging and informative morning with 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. The title of the presentation is: The Accidental Entrepreneur – A Perspective on Material Systems, Chemistry, and Innovation
How does one become an entrepreneur using chemical/materials expertise? Innovation is the intersection between invention and societal needs using a multi-disciplinary approach. As society advances, how can chemists and material scientists participate in innovation? This talk will highlight both the challenges and opportunities of being an entrepreneur by highlighting the life journey of a particular scientist/engineer.
After Bill’s presentation, stay for the ACS Orlando Section’s Executive Committee meeting. This is a great opportunity to learn about our section’s activities this fall and get involved with planning for the upcoming SERMACS 2025 conference.
Don’t miss this chance to connect with fellow members, gain valuable knowledge, and contribute to our local chemistry community! Students and prospective members are welcome! Light lunch will be served.
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.
The ACS Committee on Public Relations and Communications (CPRC) will sponsor a symposium at SERMACS 2024 in Atlanta October 23-26, 2024, titled “Innovative methods of communicating the value of chemistry to the public.” Please forward this email to your constituency and/or place on your local section or division web site.
We are particularly interested in hearing from students (undergraduate or graduate) who are involved in outreach or other communication avenues; the best student presentations will receive cash awards.
The abstract submission begins April 29, 2024; in the past the hard deadline was in the summer, about 6 weeks later. Students are not easy to contact during the summer, so if you know of any student groups that communicate the value of chemistry to the public, please ask them to write an abstract and submit through the ACS MAPS portal.
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