News Release

Future scientists gather for Pan-American conference

Meeting Announcement

American Chemical Society

Unique meeting draws college chemistry students, educators and employers

More than 140 future scientists -- currently college students in chemistry and chemical engineering -- from 16 Western Hemisphere nations will meet with educators and employers later this month in Puerto Rico for an unusual conference sponsored by the world's largest scientific society, the American Chemical Society.

From June 29 to July 3, at the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras campus, the invitational conference will exchange research findings, ideas and opportunities that focus on the professional development of tomorrow's scientists, because the organizers see a shift in the global nature of how young scientists are educated.

"Today, many students in the Americas receive a chemistry degree in one country, and advanced degrees and training in a second or third country. Their jobs may take them around the world," said Daryle H. Busch, Ph.D., president of the American Chemical Society and a chemistry professor at the University of Kansas. "It's time for the sciences to bring educators, employers and students together for this type of cross-cultural exchange, with the goal of benefiting the scientists and engineers of tomorrow."

Students will present their research on chemistry affecting human health, the environment and new product design. The conference will also feature technical sessions on such research topics as green chemistry, pharmaceuticals, and minerals chemistry. Educators will share techniques and opportunities for improving chemistry education for undergraduates. Panelists and speakers will include chemists from Abbott Laboratories in San Juan, Bristol-Myers Squibb in Barcelonetta, the University of Puerto Rico, the Environmental Protection Agency, and Latin American countries.

Undergraduates participating in the conference must be bilingual, major in a chemical science, and plan to attend graduate school in the discipline. Countries expected to participate include Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela, Canada, and the U.S., including Puerto Rico.

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NOTE: Reporters wishing to cover the event or interview student and industry participants should contact Julie Malveaux at 202-872-6042 or j_malveaux@acs.org.

A nonprofit organization with a membership of 161,000 chemists and chemical engineers, the American Chemical Society 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.


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