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E N O A E S S S L T A E A C R C I th N S M 90 Anniversary Issue of The NUCLEUS S E E H C C TI N November 2011 Vol. XC, No. 3 O CA N • AMERI

Monthly Meeting 2011 James Flack Norris Award to Prof. Peter Mahaffy Meeting at Astra-Zeneca, Waltham

Mala Radhakrishnan An Interview by Mindy Levine

ACS Governance A Summary from the Fall ACS Meeting

Arno Heyn Award 2011 Award to Harvey C. Steiner 2 The Nucleus November 2011 The Northeastern Section of the American Chemical Society, Inc. Contents Office: Anna Singer, 12 Corcoran Road, Burlington, MA 01803 (Voice or FAX) 781-272-1966. Mala Radhakrishnan ______4 e-mail: secretary(at)nesacs.org NESACS Homepage: An interview by Mindy Levine http://www.NESACS.org Officers 2011 Monthly Meeting ______5 Chair: 2011 James Flack Norris Award to Prof. Peter Mahaffy Patrick M. Gordon 1 Brae Circle Meeting at Astra-Zeneca, Waltham Woburn, MA 01801 [email protected] ACS Awards to NESACS Members ______6 Chair-Elect Ruth Tanner To be presented at the 243rd ACS National Meeting, San Diego, CA Olney Hall 415B March 27, 2012 Lowell, MA 01854 University of Mass Lowell Ruth_Tanner(at)uml.edu Report from Denver ______6 978-934-3662 Revamping the MCAT Exams. By Morton Z. Hoffman Immediate Past Chair: John McKew Historical Notes 7 John.McKew(at)gmail.com ______Secretary: Virginia C. Chamberlain (1938-2010), James Noel Little (1940-2011) Michael Singer Sigma-Aldrich Summary of Governance Actions ______8 3 Strathmore Rd, Natick, MA 01360 nd 774-290-1391, michael.singer(at)sial.com From the 242 ACS National Meeting, August 28-September 1, 2011, Treasurer: Denver, Colorado James Piper 19 Mill Rd, Harvard, MA 01451 978-456-3155, piper28(at)attglobal.net 2011 Arno Heyn Book Award______11 Auditor: Awarded to Harvey Steiner, Art Related Technology Anthony Rosner Archivist Cover: 2011 James Flack Norris Awardee, Peter Mahaffy of King's Tim Frigo University College, Edmonton, Alberta. Professor Mahaffy is also director of the Trustees: Peter C. Meltzer, Esther A. H. Hopkins, King's Centre for Visualization in Science. (Photo courtesy of Professor Mahaffy). Michael E. Strem Directors-at-Large Deadlines: January 2012 Issue: November 15, 2011 David Harris, Stephen Lantos, James Phillips, Ralph Scannell, Myron Simon, Alfred Viola February 2012 Issue: December 12, 2011 Councilors Alternate Councilors Term Ends 12/31/2011 Doris I. Lewis C. Jaworek-Lopes Mary Burgess Patrick M. Gordon Morton Z. Hoffman Lawrence Scott Michael P. Filosa Donald Rickter Kathi Brown Liming Shao Term Ends 12/31/2012 Amy E. Tapper Michaeline F. Chen Catherine E. Costello Jerry P. Jasinski 90th Anniversary Issue of The NUCLEUS Patricia A. Mabrouk Gary R. Weisman Dorothy J. Phillips Marietta Schwartz The Nucleus is published monthly, except June and August, by the Northeastern Section of the American Ruth Tanner Norton P. Peet Chemical Society, Inc. Forms close for advertising on the 1st of the month of the preceding issue. Text Term Ends 12/31/2013 must be received by the editor six weeks before the date of issue. Thomas R. Gilbert Leland L. Johnson, Jr. Michael Singer Alfred Viola Editor: Michael P. Filosa, Ph.D., ZINK Imaging, Inc., 16 Crosby Drive, Building 4G, Robert Lichter Sophia R. Su Bedford, MA 01730 Email: Michael.filosa(at)zink.com; Tel: 508-843-9070 Mary Shultz Kenneth C. Mattes Associate Editors: Myron S. Simon, 20 Somerset Rd., W. Newton, MA 02465, Tel: 617-332-5273, Sheila E Rodman, Konarka Technologies, Inc., 116 John St. Suite 12, Lowell, MA 01852 Email: srodman(at)konarka.com tel 978-569-1414, Mindy Levine, 516-697-9688 (c), mindy.levine(at)gmail.com Board of Publications: Mary Mahaney (Chair), Mindy Levine, Vivian K. Walworth Business Manager: Karen Piper, 19 Mill Rd., Harvard, MA 01451, Tel: 978-456-8622 All Chairs of standing Advertising Manager: Vincent J. Gale, P.O. Box 1150, Marshfield, MA 02050, Committees, the editor Email: Manager-vincegale(at)mboservices.net; Tel: 781-837-0424 of THE NUCLEUS, and Contributing Editors: Morton Hoffman, Feature Editor; Dennis Sardella, Book Reviews the Trustees of Section Calendar Coordinator: Sheila Rodman, email: srodman(at)konarka.com Funds are members of the Photographers: Morton Z. Hoffman and James Phillips Board of Directors. Any Coun cilor of the American Chemical Soci- Proofreaders: Donald O. Rickter, Vivian K. Walworth, Mindy Levine ety residing within the section area is an ex Webmaster: Roy Hagen officio member of the Board of Directors. Copyright 2011, Northeastern Section of the American Chemical Society, Inc. The Nucleus November 2011 3 Mala Radhakrishnan – Corporate Patrons $2000 - or more AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals An Interview Eisai Pharmaceuticals By Mindy Levine EMD Serono Genzyme Corp. “You can really think of and students understand chem- Novartis like a soap opera,” said Dr. Mala L. istry. As a natural outgrowth of this Johnson Matthey Radhakrishnan, physical chemistry creative perspective, Dr. Radhakrish- Pfizer Inc. professor at Wellesley College and nan began to write chemistry poetry. A Schering Corp. published chemistry poet. “It’s all collection of her poetry, entitled, Strem Chemicals, Inc. about the atoms and molecules getting “Atomic Romances, Molecular Vertex Pharmaceuticals together, and breaking up, and cheating Dances,” was recently published by on each other.” lulu.com and reviewed in last month’s $1000-$1999 While this may not be the typical issue of “The Nucleus.” Boehringer Ingelheim way of looking at atoms and mole- Much of the poetry is based on GlaxoSmithKline cules, Dr. Radhakrishnan has spent stories that Dr. Radhakrishnan used Irix Pharmaceuticals many years thinking and writing about while teaching high school chemistry. Lyophilization Services of NE chemistry in precisely this way. She For example, at the end of the aca- Sundia Meditech first started using such personification demic year, several of Dr. Radhakrish- Yes Bank while teaching high school chemistry nan’s students made a mural entitled, $300-$999 in California through Teach for Amer- “One Half-Life to Live,” which chroni- Cambridge Major Labs ica. Dr. Radhakrishnan found that such cled a soap-opera-esque tale of atoms Girindus analogies helped the students to better and molecules. Merrimack Consultants understand difficult concepts in chem- During graduate school, Dr. Rad- Organix istry. hakrishnan regularly read her poetry at PCI Synthesis When Dr. Radhakrishnan decided open microphone nights in Cambridge. Sigma Aldrich to continue her chemistry education as She became known as the “chemistry Waters Corp. a graduate student at MIT, she contin- poet,” and eventually participated in a Wilmington PharmaTech ued to use such analogies to help her poetry troupe called “Dr. Brown’s Traveling Poetry Troupe.” During this time, poetry “worked the other side of my brain,” said Dr. Radhakrishnan, and provided a much-needed stress reliever during graduate school. Following graduate school, Dr. Radhakrishnan immediately began her current position, as a tenure-track pro- fessor of chemistry at Wellesley Col- lege. Although most newly appointed chemistry have prior post doctoral research experience, Dr. Rad- hakrishnan was fortunate to obtain a faculty position without such experi- ence. Dr. Radhakrishnan had been applying to various post-doctoral posi- tions concurrently, but felt like she “likely fit the need of the department at that time.” In her current position, Dr. Rad- hakrishnan does not have much time to compose new poetry, although she “would like to go back to it when I have more time.” Her colleagues at Wellesley are well-aware of her poetry, £continued on page 12

4 The Nucleus November 2011 Biography Monthly Meeting Peter Mahaffy is known for his deep The 918th Meeting of the Northeastern Section of the American commitment helping students, educa- Chemical Society tors, scientists, and the general public see the intricate webs that connect Presentation of the James Flack Norris Award for Outstanding chemistry and science to so many other Achievement in Teaching Chemistry to Professor Peter aspects of life. He was born in East Mahaffy, King’s University College, Edmonton, Alberta Africa, obtained his Ph.D. in Physical Organic Chemistry from Indiana Uni- Thursday, November 10, 2011 versity, and is now Professor of Chem- Astra-Zeneca, 35 Gatehouse Drive, Waltham, MA 02451 istry at the King’s University College 4:30 pm Board Meeting in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada and Co- director of the King’s Centre for Visu- 5:30 pm Social Hour alization in Science. He carries out 6:30 pm Dinner research in the areas of chemistry edu- 7:30 pm Award Meeting, Patrick Gordon, NESACS Chair, Presiding cation, visualization in science, and organic chemistry - much of which is Presentation of the Arno Heyn Book Prize to Harvey C. Steiner done with undergraduate student Mary Mahaney, Chair, Board of Publications, NESACS research collaborators. Mahaffy chairs Reflections on James Flack Norris IUPAC’s Committee on Chemistry Introduction of the Norris Award Winner: Education (CCE), is a member of Margaret-Ann Armour, University of Alberta, Edmonton, IUPAC’s Bureau, and he led the Alberta,Canada IUPAC team that worked to obtain UN Presentation of the Norris Award: designation of 2011 as an International Kathleen Browne, Chair Norris Committee, NESACS Year of Chemistry. His recent awards Norris Award Address: for contributions to chemistry and Should Atoms Come First? Teaching Chemistry from Rich Con- chemistry education include a Fellow- texts Peter Mahaffy, PhD, Professor of Chemistry, The King’s ship of the Chemical Institute of University College, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Canada (CIC); the CIC National Award for Chemistry Education; and Canada’s Dinner reservations MUST be made no later than NOON on October 21st. highest teaching honour, the 3M Please specify if you prefer a vegetarian entree. Please call Anna Singer at National Teaching Fellowship. His 781-272-1966 between 9am and 9pm or respond by email (preferred) to secre- work on IYC-2011 enables him to give [email protected]. Reservations not canceled at least 24 hours in advance will be further expression to his desire to see invoiced and must be paid. Members, $30; Non-members, $35; Retirees, $20; the tools of science used in concert Students, $10. Anyone who needs handicapped services, please call a few days with those of other disciplines to in advance so that suitable arrangements can be made. improve the human condition and the Directions to AstraZeneca, 35 Gatehouse Drive, Waltham sustainable well-being of our planet. u http://www.astrazeneca-us.com/research-and-development/north-american- randd-sites/?itemId=1423316 in meeting the challenges set out in the From the North or South on Rt. 128: Take exit 27B for Wyman St toward UN IYC-2011 resolution? Winter St 0.2 mi. Keep right at the fork to continue toward Wyman St. Keep In this presentation, we will right at the fork, follow signs for Wyman St/Winter St and merge onto Wyman explore ways we can restructure our St. 0.3 mi. Turn right onto Winter St 0.8 mi. Turn left onto Gatehouse Ln. Desti- general chemistry curriculum to place nation will be on your right. u content in rich and motivating learning contexts for our science majors. This potable water, pharmaceutical prod- means thinking outside the boxes that Abstract ucts, modern materials, and cleaner presently separate content and context, energy. Do the logical approaches that and trying new ways of facilitating The UN resolution declaring 2011 as chemistry educators of my generation deep learning through motivating con- an International Year of Chemistry sets were asked to use when we learned nections to the lives of learners and to a compelling agenda for chemistry chemistry adequately equip the next the well-being of our planet. educators to contextualize our teaching generation of scientists and citizens to Perhaps our students of chemistry and learning to address global chal- understand and address our planetary will live and learn best somewhere lenges such as the provision of food, boundaries and the role for chemistry between our fixation on teaching continued on page 12

The Nucleus November 2011 5 • E. Bright Wilson Award in Spec- NESACS troscopy sponsored by the ACS Divi- Report from sion of Physical Chemistry, Robert W. Field, Massachusetts Institute of Members to Technology. Denver • Ahmed Zewail Award in Ultrafast Revamping the MCAT Exams Receive ACS Science & Technology sponsored by the Ahmed Zewail Endowment Fund Morton Z. Hoffman, Boston University established by Newport Corp., Keith [hoffman(at)bu.edu] Awards A. Nelson, Massachusetts Institute of Proposed changes to the Medical Col- Technology. lege Admission Test (MCAT), which is Five members of NESACS (and all In addition, the James Flack Norris a standardized examination for from M.I.T.) have been designated as prospective medical students in the recipients of ACS awards, which will Award in Physical Organic Chemistry, which is sponsored by NESACS, will United States and Canada, were dis- be presented (with the exception of the cussed at the meetings of the Society Cope Scholar Awards) on Tuesday, go to Hans J. Reich, University of rd Wisconsin, Madison. u Committee on Education (SOCED) March 27, 2012, at the 243 ACS and the Committee on Professional national meeting in San Diego. Training (CPT) at the Denver ACS • ACS Award for Creative Work in meeting. Designed for use in 2015, the Synthetic Organic Chemistry spon- new MCAT exams will emphasize the sored by Aldrich Chemical Company, Looking for seminars measurement of competencies rather Gregory C. Fu, Massachusetts Insti- than material from specific courses, tute of Technology. in the Boston area? such as general and organic chemistry. • Arthur C. Cope Scholar Awards The changes are being inspired by the sponsored by the Arthur C. Cope Check out the 2009 report from the Association of Fund, Timothy F. Jamison, Massa- NESACS Calendar American Medical Colleges (AAMC), chusetts Institute of Technology. Scientific Foundations for Future • Priestley Medal sponsored by ACS, www.nesacs.org/seminars Physicians, and have important impli- Robert S. Langer, Massachusetts cations for chemistry departments at Institute of Technology. colleges and universities that teach pre- medical students in their courses. Currently, a 22-member commit- tee (MR5) of AAMC is starting to map out the kinds of questions that will be used on the new exams, which will have four sections: • Molecular, Cellular, and Organismal Properties of Living Systems • Physical, Chemical, and Biochemical Properties of Living Systems • Behavioral and Social Sciences Prin- ciples • Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills Questions related to these four areas will call for the application of: • Scientific reasoning skills • Scientific research • Statistical methods A subcommittee, which also includes an outside consultant with expertise in scientific learning, will consult with MR5 over the next several months; the full plan will be continued on page 7

6 The Nucleus November 2011 Standardization, Technical Committee dent of sales and marketing. He later Historical 198 for Sterilization of Health Care became senior vice president of Milli- Products. She was an important con- pore Corporation, after the acquisition tributor in the preparation of interna- of Waters. He left Millipore in 1981 to Notes tionally accepted voluntary consensus help form Zymark Corporation in Hop- Virginia C. Chamberlain sterilization standards. kinton, where he served as senior vice Virginia is survived by a son, president. He joined Cetek Corporation 1938-2010 Steven M. Ross, and his wife Nancy, a in Marlborough, in 1998, where he We are sorry to report the death of Vir- daughter, Linda Ross Girard, and her served as president. ginia Childs Chamberlain on August husband, Thomas, three grandchildren, In 2009, while consulting and 31, 2010 at the age of 72. She was and a longtime companion, Henry G. serving on the boards of directors of born in New London, CT to Elbert and Edmonds. various corporations, he founded a new Catherine Fussel Childs on January 25, company, i2Chem, in Cambridge, 1938. James Noel Little which provides state-of-the-art flow Her primary schooling was in 1940-2011 chemistry services. Hastings-on-Hudson, NY and she Dr. James Noel Little, of Charlestown, Jim is survived by three children, obtained a BS degree in chemistry at passed away Sept. 14, 2011. Dr. Little David Little and his wife, Kerri, of Connecticut College. Additional study was born in Kansas City, MO., July 3, Westborough, Matthew Little and his led to a Masters degree in Biochem- 1940, the son of Noel and Isabelle wife, Kate, of Northborough, and istry from George Washington Univer- (Smart) Little. He graduated from Sarah (Little) McDevitt and her hus- sity and a Ph.D. degree in Chemical Center High School in Kansas City in band, Paul, of Charlotte, N.C.; a sister, Toxicology from American University 1958 and the University of Kansas in Karen Peyton and her husband, Roger, at the age of 50. Her career in bio- 1962, with a B.S. degree in chemistry. of Drexel, Mo.; and his mother, chemistry started at NIH, followed by He received his Ph.D. in analytical Isabelle Little of Kansas City, Mo. He the Center for Devices and Radiologi- chemistry from M.I.T. in 1967. also leaves six grandchildren, Autumn, cal Health at the FDA, from which she Jim worked for Hercules Powder Jasmine, Skye, Isabelle, and Jack Little retired in 1996. She worked for several Company in Wilmington, Del., as a of Massachusetts, and Connor McDe- years as a consultant in sterilization for research chemist before joining Waters vitt of Charlotte, N.C. He is also sur- the medical device industry. Associates, then located in Framing- vived by Barbara Killeen-Little, his She was the founding chairperson ham, where he advanced to vice presi- longtime companion. u of the International Organization for

Report from Denver continued from page 6 presented to pre-health advisors, med- ical schools, admissions officers, and other interested parties (including the ACS) in a symposium at the AAMC annual meeting in November. Formal approval from AAMC to revise the MCATs will be requested at the AAMC board of directors in February 2012. ACS is organizing symposia for its 2012 national meetings and the Division of Chemical Education’s (CHED) Biennial Conference on Chemical Education (BCCE) to pro- vide an overview of the AAMC report, consideration of chemistry in the MCATs, the involvement of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), and the development of inno- vative chemistry curricula for pre-pro- fessional students. u

The Nucleus November 2011 7 SUMMARY OF GOVERNANCE ACTIONS/REPORTS AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY 242nd ACS NATIONAL MEETING DENVER, CO AUGUST 28- SEPTEMBER 1, 2011 The following summary is provided to Gerald Bass, Cherlynlavaughn Candidates for District III Director, help Councilors report to their local Bradley, William H. (Jack) 2012-2014 sections and divisions on key actions Breazeale, Jr., Catherine C. Fense- • Dr. Pat N. Confalone, DuPont, Vice and discussions of the ACS Council lau, Lydia E. M. Hines, Robert L. President, Global R&D, Crop Pro- and Board of Directors at the 2011 fall Lichter, Anne T. O’Brien, Robert A. tection, Wilmington, DE national meeting. Pribush, Andrea B. Twiss-Brooks, • Dr. David J. Lohse, Retired, Distin- and Steven W. Yates. By electronic ACTIONS OF THE guished Research Associate, Exxon- ballot, the Council elected William Mobil Research & Engineering Co., COUNCIL H. (Jack) Breazeale, Jr., Catherine C. Annandale, NJ Fenselau, Lydia E. M. Hines, Anne Election Results Candidates for District VI Director, • The Committee on Nominations and T. O’Brien, and Andrea B. Twiss- Brooks for the 2012-2014 term. 2012-2014 Elections presented to the Council • Dr. Bonnie A. Charpentier, Vice the following slate of candidates for Candidates for President-Elect and President, Regulatory and Quality membership on the Committee on Board of Directors Metabolex, Inc., Oakland, CA Committees beginning in 2012: The candidates for the fall 2011 ACS • Dr. Carlos G. Gutierrez, Professor of Matthew K. Chan, Richard S. national election were announced as Chemistry, California State Univer- Danchik, Rigoberto Hernandez, follows: sity, Los Angeles, CA Roland F. Hirsch, James M. Landis, Jr., Helen (Bonnie) A. Lawlor, Zaida Candidates for President-Elect, Petitions 2012 C. Morales-Martinez, Howard M. (For Action) Peters, Sara J. Risch and Jason E. • Dr. Dennis Chamot, Associate Exec- utive Director, Division of Engineer- • The Council received one amend- Ritchie. By electronic ballot, the ment (petition) to the ACS Constitu- Council elected Rigoberto Hernan- ing and Physical Sciences, National Research Council of the National tion and Bylaws for action: The dez, Helen (Bonnie) A. Lawlor, Petition on Position Statements. The Zaida C. Morales-Martinez, Howard Academy of Sciences, Washington, DC Council VOTED to approve the M. Peters and Sara J. Risch for the Petition on Position Statements, • Dr. Marinda Li Wu, Founder and 2012-2014 term. which allows for clear and consistent President, Science is Fun!, Orinda, • The Committee on Nominations and position development for the Soci- CA Elections presented to the Council ety. The petition assures that the the following slate of candidates for Candidates for Directors-at-Large, Board of Directors has sole authority membership on the Council Policy 2012-2014 in issuing position statements that Committee beginning in 2012: Spiro • Dr. Ken B. Anderson, Professor of establish policy for the full Society; D. Alexandratos, Lawrence Barton, Geochemistry, Southern Illinois Uni- and that Society bodies other than Michael J. Brownfield, John W. Fin- versity at Carbondale, IL and CEO, the Board may issue statements on ley, Mark D. Frishberg, Peter C. Thermaquatica Inc., Carbondale, IL issues that fall solely in their juris- Jurs, Mamie W. Moy, and Eleanor • Dr. William F. Carroll, Jr., Vice Pres- diction so long as they do not impair D. Siebert. By electronic ballot, the ident, Industry Issues, Occidental other Society bodies’ ability to do Council elected Lawrence Barton, Chemical Corporation, Dallas, TX the same. The Board of Directors Peter C. Jurs, Mamie W. Moy, and • Dr. Charles E. Kolb, President/CEO will vote within 90 days on whether Eleanor D. Siebert for the 2012- Aerodyne Research, Inc. Billerica, to ratify the approved petition. 2014 term. MA (For Consideration) • The Council Policy Committee pre- • Dr. Barbara A. Sawrey, Associate • The Council also received two sented to the Council the following Vice Chancellor, Undergraduate amendments (petitions) to the ACS slate of candidates for membership Education, University of California, Constitution and Bylaws for consid- on the Committee on Nominations San Diego, CA eration: Petition on Market Data and Elections beginning in 2012: R. Collection and Petition to Amend

8 The Nucleus November 2011 Governance leges. At the 2011 ACS national meet- would implement two of the four rec- ing in Anaheim, the Committee on ommendations. First, it establishes an continued from page 8 Chemical Safety launched an effort to educational program to guide budding Recorded Vote Request Procedure. identify ways to assist academia in entrepreneurs through the creation of The Petition on Market Data Collec- strengthening and building strong new chemical businesses. Second, it tion seeks to add a provision to allow safety cultures. Devastating incidents supports the formation of new chemical for controlled market testing to col- in academic laboratories and observa- companies by providing access to the lect data before the Society changes tions by many that graduates do not unparalleled informational resources of benefits, dues, or membership cate- have strong safety skills have elevated the Society, as well as other profes- gories. The Petition to Amend concerns about the safety culture in sional resources. The initiative was Recorded Vote Request Procedure academia. Following Dr. Jackson’s approved by the Board, and will be provides that a call for a recorded presentation, Councilors engaged in implemented early next year. vote after clicker voting has com- robust discussion on this very timely CEPA is also working with ACS menced will be out of order, as topic, with numerous suggestions by President Nancy Jackson, members of would a call for a recorded vote after 42 different Councilors. the Board, and other committees on the the initial clicker voting has taken “Paying It Forward” campaign. Dr. place. Both the Petition on Market Changes in Technical Divisions The Council VOTED to grant full Jackson kicked off the campaign with Data Collection and the Petition to her comment in the August 8 issue of Amend Recorded Vote Request Pro- division status to the previously proba- tionary Division of Catalysis Science C&EN, emphasizing the need for, and cedure will be on the Council agenda importance of members helping mem- for action at the 2012 spring meeting. and Technology, and to approve the proposed bylaws of this division. bers. She asks each of the Society’s Committee Review After a lively discussion, the more than 163,000 members to help • As part of a regular performance Council VOTED 53% - 47% to dis- unemployed members by taking spe- review, the Council VOTED to con- solve the Division of Petroleum Chem- cific action now. Dr. Jackson’s com- tinue the joint Board-Council Com- istry and to combine its assets and ment will be followed by four other mittees on Community Activities members with those of the Division of C&EN comments. and on Publications. Continuation of Fuel Chemistry under the new name of Because networking is especially these two committees also requires the Division of Energy and Fuels, important in a down economy, CEPA Board of Directors concurrence. effective December 31, 2011. The dis- and ACS Career Services co-sponsored the largest networking event in ACS Meeting Registration Report cussion centered largely around the name, rather than the merger. history. The ACS Global Networking • As of September 1, 2011, the ACS Reception allowed Denver attendees fall national meeting had attracted Employment, Economic, and Pro- and others to attend a seminar entitled 10,076 registrants. Totals in select fessional Activities “Networking 101 – Making Your Con- categories are as follows: Regular ACS has created new programs to tacts Count,” and then practice net- attendees 6,088; Students 2,376; assist unemployed members and new working with local sections, student Guests 218; Exhibit Only 394; and resources for all members, from stu- chapters, international chapters, and Exhibitors 1,000. dents to seasoned professionals. The individuals all over the world joined first ever fully integrated onsite and Membership Activity electronically. virtual career fair in Denver offered In another exciting initiative, the • Despite the challenging economy job seekers and virtual participants via Chemical Entrepreneurship Council and continued high unemployment, webcam the opportunity to interact (CEC) has assembled. The group con- the Society’s overall membership with each other and to connect with sists of the Women Chemists Commit- number remains stable at near prospective employers and programs to tee, the Committee on Science, the 163,000. The number of new under- sharpen their career skills. The number Division of Small Chemical Busi- graduate student members is grow- of employers was up from Anaheim. nesses, the Division of Business Devel- ing rapidly, and as of July 31 the The Presidential Task Force on opment and Management, the National total stands at 15,702. The commit- Innovation and Job Creation released Collegiate Inventors and the Innova- tee is concentrating its efforts on their report, entitled, “Innovation, Chem - tors Alliance. This self-organized retaining current members. istry & Jobs.” The report contained four working group is concerned with pro- Special Discussion Item recommendations to stimulate innova- viding the resources and skills neces- A special discussion item was put tion and job creation in the US chemical sary for chemists to translate research on the Council agenda for this meet- industry. The Committee on Economic into innovations which can become ing. ACS President Nancy Jackson pre- and Professional Affairs (CEPA) and commercial products. The outputs for sented and moderated a discussion on Corporation Associates co-sponsored a the CEC decided at the Denver meet- how ACS can best cultivate a culture new program funding request to estab- ing to include education and training, a of safety in US universities and col- lish an entrepreneurial initiative, which continued on page 10

The Nucleus November 2011 9 Governance (MARM - May 31- June 2) to be held from its Financial Planning Confer- at the University of Maryland Balti- ence, held June 1-3, 2011. The purpose continued from page 9 more County (UMBC) campus, which of this conference was to conduct a roadmap to inventory resources, and is approximately 20 minutes away comprehensive assessment of the Soci- outreach for member engagement. from the Board hotel. The committee ety’s current financial position; review Update on ACS vs. Leadscope Liti- agreed that the Board should retain its the appropriateness and adequacy of gation meeting dates but attend as much of the Society’s current financial guide- The Chair of the Board gave an the MARM meeting as possible, lines; and assess the Society’s chang- update on the Leadscope case. She including its banquet, social events, ing risk profile and the potential reported previously that ACS had and possibly open session. implications for major ACS funding appealed to the Ohio State Supreme The Board received a briefing sources over the next three years. from its Committee on Executive Court and that the Court has agreed to The Executive Director/CEO Compensation. The compensation of hear the case. In written briefs filed in Report the Society’s executive staff receives support of the Society’s position (that The Executive Director/CEO and regular review from the Board. the lower court rulings were both unfair her direct reports updated the Board on On the recommendation of the and unconstitutional), ACS has been the following: the status of recommen- Committee on Budget and Finance joined by several prestigious organiza- dations from the Executive (B&F), the Board VOTED to approve tions. In April, the Leadscope defen- Director/CEO’s report on “Challenges an advance member registration fee of dants filed two motions seeking to Facing ACS 2011-2015;” and the $360 for national meetings held in dismiss the Society’s appeal. In June, activities of CAS (Chemical Abstracts 2012. The Board also considered sev- the Ohio Supreme Court denied their Service), the ACS Publications Divi- eral program funding requests, and on motions and has scheduled oral argu- sion, and the Society’s General Coun- the recommendation of B&F VOTED ments for September 7 in Columbus, sel. The General Counsel report to reauthorized funding for inclusion in Ohio. included an update on the ACS vs. the 2012 proposed budget for the fol- Leadscope litigation. lowing programs: ACTIONS OF THE BOARD On the recommendation of the OF DIRECTORS • ACS Committee on Publications, the Board The Board’s Committees and Work- • ACS Leadership VOTED to approve the reappointment ing Groups • ACS Scholars of two journal editors and the appoint- The Board of Directors received • ACS Global Research Experiences, ment of a new editor. The Board also reports from its committees on Profes- Exchanges, and Training Program VOTED to approve an appointment to sional & Member Relations (P&MR), (GREET) its Governing Board for Publishing. Grants and Awards (G&A), Planning, The Board also VOTED, as recom- Other Society Issues Executive Committee (EC), Executive mended by B&F, to include funding in The Board agreed to accept an Compensation, and Budget and the 2012 and 2013 budget for a new invitation from the National Organiza- Finance (B&F). program – the ACS Entrepreneurship tion for the Professional Advancement On the recommendation of the Initiative. of Black Chemists and Chemical Engi- Committee on Professional & Member B&F considered a proposal from neers (NOBCChE) to meet with repre- Relations, the Board VOTED to the Council Policy Committee (CPC) sentatives of the ACS Board of approve guidelines for weighing selec- regarding the Committee Travel Directors in 2012 to discuss further tion and engagement in human rights Expense Reimbursement Policy areas for collaboration. Members of cases, wherever they occur. approved by CPC in March 2011. The the Board’s Executive Committee and On the recommendation of the policy would allow reimbursement of the chair of the Committee on Grants Committee on Grants and Awards, the travel costs to committee meetings and Awards will be meeting with Board VOTED to approve nominations held during the ACS national meetings NOBCChE at a mutually agreed time for the AAAS Scientific Freedom & for non-councilor committee members. and date in 2012. Responsibility Award and the NSF After some discussion, the Board International dignitaries represent- Waterman Award. VOTED, as recommended by B&F, to ing the Canadian Society for Chem- The Planning Committee adopt the non-councilor reimburse- istry, the German Chemical Society, reviewed the components of the 2012 ment policy as presented by CPC (at IUPAC and the Royal Society of strategic plan and a possible change to the rate of 50% of the Councilor travel Chemistry briefed the Board on their the committee charter. reimbursement) effective 2012. activities and plans to continue and The Board’s Executive Committee Financial Planning Conference Rec- sustain the momentum started during discussed an overlap in scheduling of the International Year of Chemistry. the June 2012 Board of Directors ommendations The Board reviewed and VOTED The Board also received an update meeting (May 31- June 3) and the from the ACS President-Elect on his Middle Atlantic Regional Meeting to accept several recommendations

10 The Nucleus November 2011 Governance vided by The Nucleus editor into final Harvey C. files for submission to the printer and continued from page 10 the NESACS webmaster. Harvey has activities and priorities during his pres- been the main interface between the idential year. Steiner to printer (currently Turley Printing of By consent, the Board VOTED to Palmer, MA) and The Nucleus. approve several actions since its June Receive Harvey has provided many years of meeting, including: a resolution in continuity in the production of The memory of former Board member C. Nucleus, which has been a key factor Gordon McCarty and a nomination for 2011 Heyn enabling stable and timely production the 2012 Othmer Gold Medal. of The Nucleus. This was especially The Board held a lively, well- true during the unsettled time when attended open session which featured a Book Award Arno Heyn’s illness resulted in multiple special forum on what the ACS is Harvey Steiner has been selected to changes in editors (Chorghade, Spitler, doing, or can do, to assist members receive the 2011 Arno Heyn Book Filosa) over a one-year period. Har- who are facing employment challenges Prize. This prize was created in 2005 to vey’s long history producing the final in uncertain economic times. Members honor the late Arno Heyn. Previous Nucleus copy simplifies the editor’s job attending this standing-room only ses- winners of the award have been Mark to managing content and layout. The sion received a brief overview of cur- Spitler and Sam Kounaves (2005), Vin- editor does not have to worry about the rent and planned resources available to cent Gale (2006), Vivian Walworth technical details of producing a profes- members who are facing employment (2007), Myron Simon (2008), Arthur sional newsletter. challenges, followed by an open dis- Obermayer (2009) and Donald Rickter Harvey has played a critical role in cussion on how the Society might offer (2010). bringing new editors up to speed and greater assistance. Harvey has been a critical part of deserves a great deal of credit for the ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The Nucleus team for twenty years as continued excellence of The Nucleus. FOR COUNCILORS the owner of Art Related Technology. In addition to our awardee, our sec- The following is a list of URLs His job has been to work closely with tion has been fortunate in having many and email addresses presented on The Nucleus editor and to transform the skilled, conscientious people who have slides at the Council meeting. You will original content and rough layout pro- created what has been long considered find the information noted on these the best newsletter among the local sec- sites helpful. tions of the ACS. Vince Gale, Mark [email protected] – Contact Spitler, Sam Kounaves, Mukund www.acs.org/acspresidents - Informa- information for questions/comments Chorghade, Don Rickter, Sheila Rod- tion on ACS past presidents regarding the Society’s strategic plan man, Mindy Levine, Myke Simon, [email protected] – contact infor- www.acs.org/councilreports - Loca- Vivian Walworth, and Mike Filosa are mation for inclusion or correction of tion for all Council reports of the cur- just a few of these talented peo - errors on the ACS presidency website rent meeting (fall reports to appear ple. Arthur Obermayer made the his- www.acs.org/creatingjobs - Location after September 12) toric step of starting the NESACS for the ACS Task Force on Innovation [email protected] – Contact information website in 1996. It was one of the first report, “Innovation, Chemistry and for questions/comments about labora- local section websites in the ACS. Jobs” tory safety Many people are needed to put www.acs.org/iyc2011 - Location for www.acswebinars.org/vcf2011 - together The Nucleus as reporters, pho- International Year of Chemistry activi- Information on the ACS webinars and tographers, copy editors, writers, and ties virtual career fairs proofreaders. New volunteers to main- tain and improve it are welcomed. ACS Network [email protected] – Contact informa- The Heyn Book Prize will be tion for questions/comments about the https://communities.acs.org/mes- awarded at the November monthly Society’s bylaws sage/8125#8125 – A link on the ACS meeting, to be held at Astra-Zeneca in Network for ACS Strategic Plan Dis- www.acs.org/bulletin5 - Location for Waltham. u cussion – public the Society’s governing documents https://communities.acs.org/docs/DO (Constitution, Bylaws, Regulations) C-6168 - A link to the Councilors www.acs.org/bechemists - Information What’s Yours? group – Councilors only on a campaign to remind recent gradu- Many local employers post positions www.acs.org/goalsurvey - Location ates of the benefits of ACS membership on the NESACS job board. for the ACS online goal survey for [email protected] – Contact informa- Find yours at helping to develop the 2012 strategic tion on outreach activities through the www.nesacs.org/jobs plan Committee on Community Activitiesu

The Nucleus November 2011 11 BUSINESS DIRECTORY

Mala Radhakrishnan SERVICES SERVICES continued from page 4 and several have used her poems in their chemistry curricula. In fact, many students report that they really appreci- ate and enjoy the chemistry poetry. Dr. Radhakrishnan also hopes that the poetry has value beyond education. “It can be entertaining for everyone,” she said. “There are a lot of people who like to read nerdy scientific poetry.” Dr. Radhakrishnan’s book was self-published on lulu.com in April 2011 and has been available on ama- zon.com since the summer. So far, much of the feedback has been posi- tive. For example, a reviewer on ama- zon.com gave the book five stars, and wrote, “Chemistry in this form is any- thing but dry!” Another reviewer (http://dougholder.blogspot.com) wrote, “It is a clever compilation of word play fun for scientists, poets who find science fun to study, as well as a tool for science teachers.” Dr. Radhakrishnan is optimistic about the success of her poetry book. “One thing that makes the book unique is that I really try to humanize the atoms and molecules,” said Dr. Rad- hakrishnan in conclusion. “I think you can really learn some life lessons through learning about chemistry.” u Abstract continued from page 5 ‘atoms first’, and the assertion of American Poet Muriel Rukeyser that “the universe is made of stories, not of atoms.” Perhaps atoms, too, have sto- ries to tell, if we can learn how to lis- ten. u Go Green Contest Sign up for Electronic Delivery of the Nucleus and win prizes. WWW.NESACS.ORG/ electronic_delivery.html

12 The Nucleus November 2011 BUSINESS DIRECTORY

SERVICES SERVICES SERVICES

The Nucleus November 2011 13 BUSINESS DIRECTORY

SERVICES SERVICES CAREER SERVICES

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14 The Nucleus November 2011 The Nucleus November 2011 15 Harvard, MA 01451 19 Mill Road Contest Sign up for Electronic Delivery of the Nucleus and win prizes

Sign up for Electronic Delivery of the Nucleus at http://www.nesacs.org/electronic_delivery.html and win prizes. Enter by December 31, 2011 Those who have already signed up for electronic delivery will automatically be entered in the contest. Prizes will include Mala Radhakrishnan’s book of chemistry poetry: Atomic Romances, Molecular Dances AMERICAN CHEMICAL U.S. POSTAGE PAID NONPROFIT ORG. NORTHEASTERN and a set of 2012 Red Sox tickets (To be determined SOCIETY SECTION when they become available). Prize winners will be announced in January

Nov 07 Nov 15 Calendar T.Y. Shen Lectures in Biological Chemistry Prof. Shannon Stahl (Univ. Wisconsin) (Lecture 1) “Overcoming the Oxidant Problem: Strategies to Check the NESACS home page Chris Dobson (Univ. Cambridge) Use O2 as the Oxidant in Catalytic C–H for late Calendar additions: MIT 6-120 Oxidation Reactions” http://www.NESACS.org 4:00 pm Boston College, Merkert 130 Prof. Gang Zheng (Univ. Toronto) 4:00 pm Note also the Chemistry Department web “Porphyrin-Based Cancer Theranostics” Prof. (Harvard) pages for travel directions and updates. Brandeis University Gerstenzang 122 TBA These include: 3:45 pm Tufts, Pearson P-106 http://chemserv.bc.edu/seminar.html 4:30 pm http://www.bu.edu/chemistry/events/ David Collum (Cornell ) http://www.chem.brandeis.edu/colloquium.shtml Harvard, Pfizer Lecture Hall Nov 17 http://www-chem.harvard.edu/events/ 4:00 pm Dr. Emily Fischer (Harvard) http://web.mit.edu/chemistry/ Nov 08 Univ. New Hampshire, NB 104 (L103) www.chem.neu.edu/web/calendar/index.html T.Y. Shen Lectures in Biological Chemistry 11:10 am http://chem.tufts.edu/seminars.html [CHEM.] (Lecture 2) Nov 21 http://ase.tufts.edu/chemical/seminar.htm Chris Dobson (Univ. Cambridge) [CHEM. ENGG.] Prof. Greg Tew (UMass. Amherst) MIT, 6-120 Brandeis Univ. Gerstenzang 122 http://www.chem.umb.edu/ 4:30 pm www.umassd.edu/cas/chemistry/seminars.cfm 3:45 pm www.uml.edu/Dept/Chemistry/speakers.html Prof. Jerry Yang (U.C., San Diego) Nov 29 http://www.unh.edu/chemistry/seminars.html TBA Boston College, Merkert 130 Prof. Regan J. Thomson (Northwestern Univ.) Nov 01 4:00 pm “The Development and Application of Prof. Kara Bren (University of Rochester) Carbon–Carbon Bond Forming Reactions” Univ. New Hampshire, NB 104 (L103) Nov 10 Boston College, Merkert 130 11:10 am Prof. Samuel Thomas (Tufts Univ.) 4:00 pm “New Polymers with Photoresponsive Nov 01-02 Electrostatic and Optical Properties” Notices for The Nucleus Davison Lecture in Inorganic Chemistry: U. Mass Lowell, Olney 218 Calendar of Seminars should be Fraser Armstrong (Univ Oxford) 3:30 pm sent to: MIT, 6-120 4:15 pm Nov 11 Sheila E Rodman Prof. T. Don Tilley (UC,Berkeley) Konarka Technologies, Inc. Nov 03 Brandeis Univ. Gerstenzang 122 116 John St. Suite 12, Ara Apkarian (UC, Irvine) 3:45 pm Lowell, MA 01852 Harvard, Pfizer Lecture Hall email: srodman(at)konarka.com u 4:00 pm Nov 14 Prof. Jose D Faraldo-Gomez (Max-Planck Prof. Catherine Murphy (Univ. Illinois at Institute of ) Urbana-Champaign) Brandeis University Gerstenzang 122 “Three Short Stories About Gold Nanorods” 3:45 pm Boston College, Merkert 130 4:00 pm