World’s largest scientific society convenes regional meeting June 14-17 in Seattle

More than 370 research findings will be presented at the 56th Northwest regional meeting of the American Chemical Society, the world’s largest scientific society, in Seattle, June 14-17. Over 900 scientists and students are expected to attend the meeting at Seattle University’s Pigott Hall, 900 Broadway. (Telephone: 206-296-5950). Highlights include:

The human genome
Diabetes and cancer research
Hanford nuclear waste site
Pacific Northwest environmental issues
Distilled spirits and wine
Astrobiology

General chairpersons are Susan Jackels, Seattle University, and Tom Griffith, North Seattle Community College. For more information, visit: http://www.chem.plu.edu/norm.

Thursday, June 14
1 – 5 p.m.

Technology in the 21st century — This presentation will address opportunities for chemists and chemical engineers in biology, information technology, and nanoscience and nanotechnology. (Lura Powell, Director, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Wash., 509-375-6600, Lura.Powell@pnl.gov).
Role of analytical chemistry in sequencing the human genome — Five years ahead of schedule and well under budget, the human genome is essentially sequenced, and the speed with which this occurred is the result of the development and commercialization of sophisticated analytical instrumentation such as high-throughput capillary electrophoresis instruments. (Norman Dovichi, Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Wash., 206-543-7835, dovichi@chem.washington.edu).
Bioengineering of tissues — This discussion will focus on how and when natural tissue engineering can be restarted, or mimicked in the laboratory, to the ultimate aid of medical practice. The contribution of chemistry to tissue engineering will be central to this talk. (Buddy Ratner, Bioengineering and Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Wash., 206-685-1005, ratner@uweb.engr.washington.edu.

Friday, June 15
8 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Hanford Symposium — Chemical, health and environmental issues surrounding the Hanford nuclear waste site will be discussed. (Roy Gephart, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Wash., 509-375-6754, roy.gephart@pnl.gov).

June 15
2 – 5 p.m.

Aspects of atmospheric chemistry in the Pacific Northwest — Problems of aerosol and oxidant formation near population centers along the coastal mountains will be discussed. Other topics include effects of windblown dust on human health and air pollution from Asia and Canada to the United States. (Leonard Barrie, Global Environmental Change Department, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Wash., leonard.barrie@pnl.gov).
What goes around comes around — This presentation is an overview of current studies on the long-range transport of pollutants to the West Coast of North America. (Daniel A. Jaffe, Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences, University of Washington at Bothell, 425-352-5357, djaffee@u.washington.edu; Heather Umbehocker Price, Department of Chemistry, University of Washington; Anna McClintick and Peter Weiss, IAS, University of Washington at Bothell; Eric Prestbo, Research Frontier Geosciences Inc; and Ian McKendry, Geography Department, University of British Columbia).

8 a.m. – 12 noon

Putting a human face on chemistry — A collaborative project in liberal arts chemistry involving faculty in chemistry and science education will be described. (George Kriz, Department of Chemistry, Western Washington University, Bellingham, kriz@chem.wwu.edu and Kate Popejoy, Science Education Program, Western Washington University, Bellingham, 360-650-7608, Kate.Popejoy@wwu.edu.
Wine symposium — An overview and research of the wine industry in the Pacific Northwest, covering British Columbia, Oregon and Washington state. (Sara Spayd, Washington State University, Prosser, 509-786-9285, spayds@wsu.edu).
Water on Mars — The focus of this presentation is the current water inventory on Mars. (John Armstrong, Department of Astronomy, University of Washington, Seattle, Wash., 206-543-9029, jca@astro.washington.edu).

June 16
12 noon – 5 p.m.

Developing a strategic approach to climate change — This presentation considers issues that must be considered in a politically and economically viable response to climate change. (James Edmonds, Climate Studies, Pacific Northwest National Lab, Washington, DC, 202-646-5243, jae@pnl.gov).

June 17
8 a.m. – 12 p.m.

High-speed gas chromatography of alcoholic spirits — The researcher will examine the application of high-speed gas chromatography and conventional gas chromatography for the analysis of flavor components in alcoholic spirits. (Michael Claus, 517-355-9715, ext. 301, clausmic@pilot.msu.edu Deirdre Lindemann, 517-353-1826, softballdd@hotmail.com Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University; and Kris Berglund, Department of Chemical Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing).

June 17
2 p.m.

What is the human genome — This public lecture will explain the meaning of sequencing of the Human Genome Project, and how this new knowledge will transform biology, biomedical sciences, medicine, our laws and customs, and how we view ourselves. (Alan Weiner, Biochemistry Department, University of Washington, Seattle, Wash., 206-543-1768, amweiner@u.washington.edu).

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