World's largest scientific society convenes regional meeting in Charleston, S. C., Nov. 13-16

The American Chemical Society will convene the 54th Southeast regional meeting in Charleston, S. C., Nov. 13-16, at the Francis Marion Hotel (843-722-0600), Embassy Suites (843-723-6900), and the College of Charleston's Lightsey Center (843-953-5822). Over 1300 people are expected to attend. Students, educators and noted scientists will present over 900 research papers on topics that include agricultural, biological, environmental, industrial, inorganic, marine, medicinal, organic, physical and polymer chemistry, and chemistry education.

A special highlight of the meeting includes a session on Friday, Nov. 15, 8:55 - 11:15 a.m., with eight presentations devoted to senior and retired chemists:

• Retirement what do I do now?
• Consulting: Expanding chemistry into the world of quality via FDA regulations; fun after retirement
• Life after work
• Chemistry is fun, even after retirement
• Including scientists in your science reform efforts
• What do I do now? (Or how do I keep from driving my wife crazy)
• The ACS Task Force on senior chemists
• ACS and you — what mature career chemists prefer to do

Research highlights include: Wednesday, Nov. 13
3:30 - 5p.m.

The role of ozone in shrimp aquaculture — Researchers will discuss the use of ozone in controlling chemical and biological water quality. (Thomas J. Manning, Valdosta State University, Chemistry Department, Valdosta, Ga., 229-333-7178, tmanning@valdosta.edu

Antimicrobial activity of bifidobacteria as influenced by spices — Added to meat products to improve quality and shelf life, spices enhance the bio-safety of consumable products. Manganese is a common element in many spices and the researcher will show that it stimulates the production of organic acids and antimicrobial compounds from lactic acid bacteria. (Santosh Dharmavaram, North Carolina A&T State University, Food Microbiology Laboratory, Greensboro, N. C., 336-334-7328,ravikirand@hotmail.com

Shelf-life of yogurt products containing bifidocateria — The purpose of this work was to screen and test yogurt products for viable yogurt cultures and monitor shelf-life during storage. (Jewell P. Carr, North Carolina A&T State University, Food Microbiology Laboratory, Greensboro, N. C., 336-334-7328, jewellcarr@hotmail.com

Thursday, Nov. 14
2 - 4:30 p.m.

Forensic applications of laser inducted breakdown spectroscopy — Researchers will present test results from the analysis of lead bullets, bullet jackets, cartridge cases, and gunshot residue. (Scott R. Goode, University of South Carolina, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Columbia, 803-777-2601, goode@sc.edu

Studies toward the total synthesis of (-)-Mucocin — Researchers will present work toward making a compound that has the potential to treat breast cancer (Frank A. Diaz, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chemistry Department, Chapel Hill, 919-962-8020, fdiaz@email.unc.edu

Friday, Nov. 15
9a.m. - 5p.m.

The flux of metalloids from coal-fired power plants to the Chattahoochee river — Scientists have collected water samples along the Chattahoochee river system in Georgia from the spillway of Buford Dam at Lanier Reservoir to West Point Reservoir. Water samples from above and below coal-fired power plants indicate that these plants are releasing greater amounts of toxic quantities than those reported to the Environmental Protection Agency. Coal-fired power plants are situated on small rivers and reservoirs supporting the growing population of the Atlanta metropolitan area. (Patrick Lesley, Georgia Institute of Technology, School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Atlanta, 404-272-4262, plesley@eas.gatech.edu

PCBs in Lake Hartwell, South Carolina, headwaters of the Savannah River Basin — Researchers will discuss the latest findings on PCBs, including the presence of ongoing reductive dechlorination and the role of enantioselective transformations of PCBs by microorganisms isolated from the sediments of Lake Hartwell. (Cindy M. Lee, Clemson University, Environmental Engineering and Science, School for the Environment, Anderson, S. C., 864-656-1006,LC@clemson.edu

PCB-dechlorinating bacteria and the halogen cycle — Scientists will discuss research into how organisms that metabolize organohalides may have evolved in response to naturally produced organohalides. This research may have implications in bioremediation of man-made organohalides. (Harold May, Medical University of South Carolina, Microbiology and Immunology, 843-792-5123 or 792-7140)

Optically clear wear resistant coating for plastics — Scientists have developed an ophthalmic lens that is 40 times more scratch resistant than currently available ophthalmic lenses. (Charles K. Chiklis, TriboFilm Research, Inc., Raleigh, N. C., 919-838-2844, ext. 4, chiklis@tribofilmresearch.com

Plasma coatings for medical devices — Scientists are developing a silicone free syringe using plasma deposited surface coatings. (Charles K. Chiklis, TriboFilm Research, Inc., Raleigh, N. C., 919-838-2844, ext. 4, chiklis@tribofilmresearch.com

Saturday, Nov. 16
8:30 a.m.

Exploring electrophoresis and forensics — Presenter will introduce new techniques for enhancing students' interest and excitement in chemistry through the utilization of forensic investigations using gel electrophoresis units designed to run on 9-volt batteries. (Pat Ryan, Carolina Biological Supply Company, Biotechnology/AP Biology, Burlington, N. C., 336-584-0381).

In addition to in-depth scientific presentations, several significant awards will be presented at the meeting:

• Joey Hatcher Gaby of Tyner Academy in Chattanooga, Tenn., will be honored on Nov. 15 with the ACS Regional Award in High School Chemistry Teaching for her dedication in helping students develop problem-solving skills and inquiry-based learning abilities that aid them throughout their careers in chemistry.
• Zaida C. Morales-Martinez of Florida International University in Miami will receive on Nov. 15 the ACS Women Chemists Committee Regional Award for Contributions to Diversity for developing programs designed to help her students succeed, including Project SEED which encourages economically disadvantaged high school students to pursue career opportunities in the chemical sciences.
• Neil W. Boaz of Eastman Chemical Company in Kingsport, Tenn., and Clair Claiborne of ABB Inc. in Raleigh, N.C., will receive the ACS Industrial Innovation Award on Nov. 15. Boaz discovered and developed a new class of chiral ligands that will help pharmaceutical researchers produce new active ingredients more quickly and cost effectively. Claiborne co-invented and developed a totally biodegradable vegetable fluid for electrical transformers.

The general chair of the meeting is G. Patrick Meir, Medical University of South Carolina, Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, Charleston, 843-792-8445 or 843-813-6375,meirgp@musc.edu. The conference Web address is www.SERMACS2002.cofc.edu