Chemical society convenes regional meeting in Minneapolis

More than 350 research papers are scheduled for presentation at the 34th Great Lakes regional meeting of the American Chemical Society, the world’s largest scientific society, in Minneapolis, Minn., June 2-4. Over 400 noted scientists as well as undergraduate and graduate students are expected to attend the meeting at the Radisson Hotel Metrodome (612-379-8888) on the East Bank campus of the University of Minnesota. The reception and poster session on the evening of June 2 will be held in the McNamara Alumni Center (612-624-7570), located next to the hotel.

Scientific topics include symposia devoted to environmental chemistry, chemical biology, nanostructured materials, and computational chemistry.

In honor of the 75th anniversary of the Society’s Women Chemists Committee, the University of Minnesota Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) Team is presenting a luncheon and panel discussion on June 2 from noon – 2 p.m, at the Radisson. The theme is WISE words from successful women in chemistry. Panelists are:

Laura Kiessling
Professor of Chemistry
Departments of Chemistry and Biochemistry
University of Wisconsin
Madison, Wis.

Ann M. Mueting
Attorney
Mueting, Raasch & Gebhardt Law Firm
Minneapolis, Minn.

Judy Benham
Business Director for Radio Frequency Identification
3M Worldwide
St. Paul, Minn.

Hilary Godwin(Moderator)
Professor of Chemistry
Department of Chemistry
Northwestern University
Evanston, Ill.

Meeting highlights include:

Sunday, June 2
9:40 a.m.

Persistent organic pollutants in the air of the Great Lakes — Recent findings from the Integrated Atmospheric Deposition Network for Lakes Erie, Michigan and Superior will be discussed. (Ronald A. Hites, Indiana University, Public & Environmental Affairs, Bloomington, Ind.).

Sunday, June 2 (Poster Session)
6 p.m. – 10 p.m.

The compositional differences of oranges: comparison of vitamin C, and percentage weight of d-limonene between organically and conventionally produced oranges — This presentation examines the compositional differences of organic and non-organic produce readily available to consumers in the rural Midwestern community of Millard, Mo. with emphasis on user perceptions of produce value compared to conventionally produced product. (Theotis Clark, Truman State University, Science Division, Chemistry, Kirksville, Mo.).

Tuesday, June 4
9:10 a .m.

Bioinorganic chemistry at the beach: adhesives from mussels and barnacles — Researcher will present data on surface bonding of marine organisms. (Jonathan J. Wilker, Purdue University, Department of Chemistry, West Lafayette, Ind.).

Tuesday, June 4
10 a.m.

Luminescent polysilole sensors for aquatic TNT and chromium (VI) — Presenter will discuss the use of inorganic polymers for sensing of groundwater contaminants near munitions factories and storage areas, and carcinogens such as those featured in the movie “Erin Brokavich.” William C. Trogler, University of California at San Diego, Division of Physical Sciences.).

Tuesday, June 4
2:40 p.m.

The potential for beta 1,3-glucans to prevent and treat biological warfare infections — The new awareness of the threat of bioterrorism has prompted a widespread search for defenses against this menace. This presentation introduces the concept of innate immune system modulation to reduce the peril of bioterrorism and infectious disease. (Gary Ostroff, Biopolymer Engineering, Inc., Egan, Minn.).

Professional achievement recognition is highlighted at the meeting. ACS will honor chemists from Minnesota, Illinois, and Wisconsin on June 3 for industrial innovations that improve global welfare, for exemplary teaching at the high school level, and for stimulating and fostering diversity. ACS members who have contributed to the commercial success of their company and to their communities and society are winners of the Industrial Innovation Awards.

Dharma Kodali and Scott Nivens of Cargill, Inc., in Minneapolis will be honored for developing nontoxic, biodegradable oils made from renewable resources.

Michael Shawn Allen, Tom Campbell, Sanjay Chemburkar, Jinhua Chen, Brian Fohey, Anthony Haight, Francis Kerdesky, Denton Langridge, Bikshandarkoil Narayanan, William Owens, Ketan Patel, Timothy Robbins, Harry Spiwek, Eric Stoner, Jien-Hen Tien from Abbott Laboratories in North Chicago, Ill., will be honored for developing a cost-effective process for producing the HIV/AIDS drugs ritonavir and lopinavir.

Catherine Hurt Middlecamp of the University of Wisconsin-Madison will be presented the Women Chemists Committee Regional Award for contributions to diversity for her work encouraging women and minorities to study and teach chemistry.

Ann Levinson of Niles Township High Schools in Skokie, Ill., will be honored with the ACS Regional Award in High School Chemistry Teaching for her outstanding high school chemistry teaching.

General chair of the meeting is Wayne L. Gladfelter (612-624-6000) and Program Chair is William B. Tolman (612-625-4061), both of the Chemistry Department, University of Minnesota in Minneapolis.