On Saturday, September 21st 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.
Tag Archives: awards
Call for Annual Awards Nominations
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 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 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.
2023 Annual Award Banquet
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
The Orlando Section of the American Chemical Society will recognize 2023 awards winners in a traditional annual awards banquet on December 2nd, 2023. You are invited to attend the banquet:
Saturday, December 2nd, 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
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.
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 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.
2023 CCEW Illustrated Poem Contest: The Results
Among many other activities for the 2023 Chemists Celebrate Earth Week (CCEW), the Orlando Section of the American Chemical Society (ACS) hosted the 2023 CCEW Illustrated Poem Contest for K-12 students in Central Florida. This year, the theme of the contest is “The Curious Chemistry of Amazing Algae”.
Thanks to members of counties’ school boards and the teachers who brought the contest to students’ attention, the contest received many entries from multiple schools.
Results of the local contest
K-2 Category
No Winner
Grade 3-5 Category
Winner: M. P.
Harmony Community School (Osceola County)
Grade 6-8 Category
Winner: E. D.
Sanford Middle School (Seminole County)
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 2023 CCEW Illustrated Poem Contest. The full results of the 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, submission@orlandoacs.org).
2022 Annual Award Banquet
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 | Dr. Yu Yuan | University of Central Florida |
Outstanding Chemist | Dr. Laurene Tetard | University of Central Florida |
Outstanding Chemical Professional | Dr. Martha Williams | NASA |
Outstanding Entrepreneurs | Mr. William Easter | X-Batt, X-Mat, Semplastics |
Outstanding Volunteer | Mr. Muzammil Ahmed | Florida Institute of Technology |
Annual Awards Banquet Invitation
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.
We look forward to seeing you all there!
Call for Annual Awards
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 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.