SAN FRANCISCO, March 28 - Dr. F. Ann Walker of the University of Arizona will present award-winning research about the kissing bug and how it transmits the deadly Chagas' disease. Walker will address women chemists at the 219th meeting of the American Chemical Society, the world's largest scientific society.
About 300,000 people in the United States are infected with the disease, which causes slow degeneration of the autonomic nervous system muscles, most commonly the heart.
Walker is this year's winner of the Society's Francis P. Garvan-John H. Olin Medal that recognizes distinguished service to chemistry by women chemists. She was honored for her research on heme proteins through further examination of the kissing bug.
Walker received her B.A. in chemistry from The College of Wooster, Ohio, and her Ph.D. in physical inorganic chemistry from Brown University.
WHO: Dr. F. Ann Walker
Department of Chemistry
University of Arizona
WHAT: "Nitric Oxide and Blood Sucking Insects: The Intersection of Entomology, Inorganic Biochemistry, Medicine, and Anthropology" Women Chemists Committee luncheon
WHEN: Tuesday, March 28, 11:30 a.m. social, 12:15 p.m. luncheon
WHERE: Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason Street
Ballroom Foyer (social)
Ballroom II and III (luncheon)
REPORTERS COVERING THIS EVENT MUST FIRST CONTACT THE ACS PRESS OFFICE AT 415-923-7510.
A nonprofit organization with a membership of 161,000 chemists and chemical engineers, the American Chemical Society (www.acs.org) publishes scientific journals and databases, convenes major research conferences, and provides educational, science policy and career programs in chemistry. Its main offices are in Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio.