DED UN 18 O 98 F
http://www.nesacs.org
N
Y
O
T
R
E I
T
H C
E N O A E S S S L T A E A C R C I N S M S E E H C C T N November 2020 Vol. XCIX, No. 1 IO CA N • AMERI Photograph by Alfred Viola Alfred Photograph by Monthly Meeting Historical Notes A virtual Meeting with a webinar by Catherine Costello, Alfred Viola, Daniel S. Kemp and Dietmar Boston University School of Medicine Seyferth Medicinal Chemistry Report from Malta IX Webinar By Morton Z. Hoffman By Atwood Cheung, Novartis Institute for Biomedical Research Report from Malta IX Call for Morton Hoffman, Boston University, Treasurer, Malta Conferences Foundation Symposia: 2021 Northeast Regional Meeting by Hicham Fenniri, Northeastern Uni- versity, Conference Chair, NERM 2021
Photo courtesy of the Malta Conferences Foundation Symposium proposals are being ac- The Ninth Biennial Malta Conference maintaining contacts with their scientific cepted until December 18 for the 2021 (Frontiers of Science: Innovation, Re- colleagues in India. Northeast Regional Meeting (NERM search, and Education in the Middle In the opening ceremony, Zafra 2021) of the ACS, which is being organ- East; Malta IX), which was held in the Lerman, President of the Malta Confer- ized by NESACS. The conference Republic of Malta on December 8-13, ences Foundation
2 The Nucleus November 2020 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. A Report from Malta IX ______2 e-mail: [email protected] Call for Symposia: NERM 2021 2 NESACS Homepage: ______http://www.NESACS.org AUTM COVID-19 Licensing Guidelines ______4 Officers 2020 By Katherine Ann Rubino, Caldwell Intellectual Property Law Chair Anna W. Sromek Monthly Meeting ______5 115 Mill Street Belmont, MA 02478 A ZOOM Meeting on Nov. 12, 2020 featuring Catherine E. Costello, [email protected] Center for Biomedical Mass Spectrometry, Boston University Medical Chair-Elect School and Presentation of 50-, 60- and 70-year NESACS Members Raj (SB) Rajur Creagen Inc. Dorothy Phillips Receives NOBCChE Lifetime Achievement Award 6 299 Washington St, Woburn, MA 01801 (781)-938-1122 Team USA wins multiple Golds at Chemistry Olympiad______6 [email protected] Immediate Past Chair MEDCHEM Webinar ______7 Andrew Scholte Atwood Cheung, Novartis to speak on Nov. 12 at 4 pm. Sanofi-Genzyme 153 2nd Ave. Councilor Talking Points ______8 Waltham, MA 02451-1122 Secretary Governance Actions at the 260th ACS National Meeting Virtual Michael Singer Historical Notes 10 Millipore-Sigma ______400 Summit Drive, Burlington, MA 01803 Remembrances of Alfred Viola, Daniel S. Kemp and Dietmar Seyferth (781)-229-7037 [email protected] NESACS Volunteer Opportunities ______12 Treasurer Wildlife Photos by Alfred and Joy Viola 13 Ashis Saha ______67 Bow St. NESACS Election Results 14 Arlington, MA 02474-2744 ______(978)-212-5462 Business Directory ______15 Archivist Ken Mattes Calendar ______16 Trustees Ruth Tanner, Peter C. Meltzer, Dorothy Phillips Cover: Pictured is an African Saddle-billed stork (Ephippiorhyncus senegalen- Directors-at-Large sis) taken by Alfred Viola. Alfred was a long-time NESACS Board Member and David Harris, June Lum, Mark Tebbe, John M. Professor Emeritus at Northeastern University. The entire collection of over Burke, James U. Piper, Ralph Scannell 6000 wildlife photos of Alfred and his wife, Joy, are available through the Councilors/Alternate Councilors University of Georgia’s Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health at Term Ends 12/31/2020 Michael P. Filosa Patrick Cappillino https://www.forestryimages.org/wildlife.cfm Carol Mulrooney Raj (SB) Rajur Editorial Deadlines: Patricia Mabrouk Lori Ferrins January 2021 Issue: December 1, 2020 Anna Sromek Steve Canham February 2021 Issue: January 1, 2021 Patrick M. Gordon Doris Lewis Term Ends 12/31/2021 Catherine E. Costello Kenneth Mattes Ruth Tanner Joshua Sacher Andrew Scholte Mariam Ismail June Lum Dajit Matharu The Nucleus is published monthly, except June and August, by the Northeastern Section of the American Morton Z. Hoffman Katherine A. Rubino Chemical Society, Inc. Forms close for advertising on the 1st of the month of the preceding issue. Text Term Ends 12/31/2022 must be received by the editor six weeks before the date of issue. Tom Gilbert Jens Breffke Editor: Michael P. Filosa, Ph.D., 18 Tamarack Road, Medfield, MA 02052 Email: Malika Jeffries-EL Hicham Fenniri Lisa Marcaurelle Mary Mahaney [email protected]; Tel: 508-843-9070 Sofia A. Santos Michael Singer Associate Editors: Myron S. Simon, 60 Seminary Ave. apt 272, Auburndale, MA 02466 Mary Jane Shultz Ashis Saha Morton Z. Hoffman, 23 Williams Rd., Norton, MA 02766 Sonja Strah-Pleynet Kap-Sun Yeung Board of Publications: Katherine Lee (Chair), Ajay Purohit, Mary Mahaney, Brian D’Amico, Kather- ine Rubino, Craig Sergeant All Chairs of standing Business Manager: Vacant: contact Michael Filosa at [email protected] Committees, the editor of THE NUCLEUS, and Advertising Manager: Vacant: contact Michael Filosa at [email protected] the Trustees of Section Calendar Coordinator: Samurdhi Wijesundera, Email: [email protected] Funds are members of the Photographers: Brian D’Amico, Morton Z. Hoffman Board of Directors. Any Councilor of the American Chemical Society Proofreaders: Donald O. Rickter, Morton Z. Hoffman residing within the section area is an ex officio Webmaster: Roy Hagen, Email: [email protected] member of the Board of Directors. Copyright 2020, Northeastern Section of the American Chemical Society, Inc.
z The Nucleus November 2020 3 AUTM Publishes Licensing NESACS Sponsors Platinum $5000+ Guidelines to Promote Boston Foundation Esselen Award SK Life Science Collaborations for COVID- Amgen, Inc Johnson Matthey Vertex Pharmaceuticals 19 Related Innovations Davos Pharma By Katherine Ann Rubino, Patent Attorney, Caldwell Intellectual Property Law Biogen Seqens, (formerly PCI Synthesis) On April 17, 2020 the Association of nose, treat and contain COVID-19 and Navin Fluorine International Ltd University Technology Managers protect healthcare workers during the (AUTM) released licensing guidelines pandemic (as defined by the World Gold $3000 up to $5000 for COVID-19 related inventions.[i] As Health Organization). Merck Research Corp the COVID-19 pandemic continues to Licenses may subsequently convert Signal Pharmaceuticals ravage across the globe, AUTM has to a more typical commercial license as J-Star Research compiled a list of current ongoing re- appropriate. Licenses must also preserve IPG Women Chemists search, clinical trials, licensing guide- the licensor’s freedom to publish and Abbvie lines, and potential treatments, in order use the intellectual property for teaching Silver $1500 up to $3000 to share useful information with mem- and research.[v] Mettler Toledo bers around the world.[ii] AUTM is a Currently, over eighty-five univer- Sanofi US Services non-profit organization that supports the sities, hospitals, and research institutions Pfizer development of academic research. located all around the globe have signed LAVIANA Members of AUTM include over 800 on to participate in the licensing guide- Strem Chemicals universities, research centers, hospitals, lines established by AUTM.[vi] Further Bronze $500 up to $1500 businesses, and government organiza- researchers, universities, and institutions Chemical Computing Group tion worldwide.[iii] interested in sharing research and news Cydan Development Inc The licensing guidelines released can contact AUTM to post information Achillion Pharmaceuticals by AUTM were developed to provide related to COVID-19 related research or Alkermes guidance for technology transfer offices innovations. This information can be FLAMMA in order to promote non-exclusive roy- posted or searched without an AUTM Safety Partners Inc alty-free licenses in exchange for membership. For more information, in- Piramal Pharma Solutions’ spurring innovation that help address terested participants can visit https:// Selvita, Inc. this public health crisis.[iv] autm.net/about-tech-transfer/ Organix The licensing guidelines specify covid19/about-covid_19-research.[vii] CreaGen Life Science that: Technology transfer accelerates in- [i] https://autm.net/about-tech-transfer/ Entasis Therapeutics novations that impact society and pro- covid19/covid-19-licensing-guideli- Morphic Therapeutic motes the broad distribution of public nes Interchim, Inc health solutions. We encourage intellec- [ii] https://autm.net/about-tech-transfer/ Xtal Biostructures tual property (IP) owners to adopt a covid19/about-covid_19-research Anton Parr USA COVID-19 licensing strategy that facil- [iii] https://autm.net/about-autm/who- Biotage itates rapid pandemic response by li- we-are Bioduro censees and to make the execution of Novalix Pharma [iv] https://autm.net/about-tech-transfer/ associated transactions a top priority. Thermo Fisher covid19/covid-19-licensing-guidelines For most technologies, where Cresset Group legally possible, this strategy is best ac- [v] Id. Custom NMR Services complished by adopting time-limited, [vi] Id. non-exclusive royalty-free licenses, in [vii] https://autm.net/about-tech-transfer/ Sponsors are hot links. exchange for the licensees’ commitment covid19/about-covid_19-research u Click on a Sponsor to visit their to rapidly make and broadly distribute website products and services to prevent, diag-
4 The Nucleus November 2020 Biography: Monthly Meeting The 998th Meeting of the Northeastern Section of the American Chemical Society featuring Professor Catherine E. Costello Center for Biomedical Mass Spectrometry Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA November 12, 2020 Please register at this link: https://american-chemical- society.zoom.com/meeting/register/tZEqdO- vpjosGdQDtYT9xhivvUnbHXBTRtz2 Catherine E. Costello is a William Fair- field Warren Distinguished Professor at 4:30 pm NESACS Board Meeting (BREAKOUT ROOM-please pre-register) Boston University, with appointments in 5:30 pm Social Hour (BREAKOUT ROOMS) the Depts. of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Chemistry. She earned her AB at 6:30 pm (MAIN ZOOM) Emmanuel College, Boston, and PhD at Presentation of 50, 60 and 70-Year Member Awards Georgetown University, Washington, Monthly Meeting: Professor Catherine E. Costello, DC. She was a postdoctoral fellow and Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA Senior Research Scientist at MIT, where Title: Mass Spectrometric Investigations of Molecular Details That she served as Associate Director of the Impact Biological Functions NIH Mass Spectrometry Resource for more than 20 years. She founded the BU 7:30 pm Post Meeting Virtual Trivia (BREAKOUT ROOMS) School of Medicine Center for Biomed- YOU MUST REGISTER IN ADVANCE TO ATTEND THE MEETING. ical Mass Spectrometry in 1994. Her research centers on develop- THERE IS NO REGISTRATION FEE TO ATTEND THE MEETING.u ment of mass spectrometry-based instru- mentation and methods for biopolymers and their application to study glycobiol- ogy, protein post-translational modifica- tions, protein misfolding disorders, Abstract: cardio-vascular and infectious diseases, and bioactive lipids. She has authored Mass Spectrometric Investigations of Molecular Details That >375 scientific papers. She serves on Impact Biological Functions multiple editorial and advisory boards. She is Immediate Past President of the Development of new drugs and di- can combat challenges (even with some- International Mass Spectrometry Foun- agnostic tools requires increased under- times deleterious consequences), and to dation; she was President of ASMS in standing of infection, cancer, and the utilize this knowledge to control disease, 2002-04 and International HUPO in immune system. Infectious agents usu- we now rely heavily on insight provided 2011-12. ally gain entrance to their hosts through by mass spectrometry. This lecture will She has been a Councilor for the the interactions of surface molecules. focus on mass spectrometry approaches NESACS since 1989 and was Chair of The immune system is responsible for that we are developing and using to elu- the section in 2014. She is a Board and exploits the interactions of proteins cidate critical pathways in the inter- and Member of the Malta Conferences with one another and with glycans (and intra-molecular interactions that are im- Foundation. She has received several other classes). In order to explore these portant in infection, carcinogenesis, and major awards in the fields of mass spec- phenomena, to investigate how the body neurodegeneration.u trometry, proteomics and chemistry and is a Fellow of the ACS and the AAAS. u
The Nucleus November 2020 5 Dorothy Phillips Receives Team USA Lifetime Achievement wins multiple Award from NOBCChE Gold medals The National Organization of Black Awards and honors: nd Chemists and Chemical Engineers 1994 University of Cincinnati Distin- at the 52 (NOBCChE) has awarded Dorothy J. guished Alumni Wingfield Phillips, Ph.D. a Lifetime International Achievement Award at its September 2004 American Chemical Society- 25, 2020 Virtual Awards Meeting. Nashville Section, Salute to Ex- Dorothy has been for many years a cellence Award Chemistry top leader in the American Chemical 2006 Vanderbilt University, Unsung Society both in NESACS and nationally. Heroine Award She is currently serving her third term Olympiad! 2006 American Chemical Society on the Board of Directors of the ACS as U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad pro- Northeastern Section, Henry A. a Director-at-Large. gram proudly announces the extraordi- Hill Award Dorothy is originally from Ten- nary performance of the Team USA at nessee and she is one of eight children. 2008 American Chemical Society- the 52nd remote access International Her father was a Baptist minister. Her Santa Clara Valley Section, Chemistry Olympiad competition, parents were supportive of her education Shirley B. Radding Award which concluded July 30, 2020, in Istan- and she originally attended Tennessee 2008 Waters Corporation Leadership bul, Turkey. State before transferring to Vanderbilt in Award for Outstanding Contribu- Alex Li from Lexington High 1966. In 1967 Phillips was the first tions School, MA won the Top Gold medal, African-American woman to complete placing first in the overall ranking of stu- a bachelor’s degree at Vanderbilt Uni- 2008 Vanderbilt University, Dr. dents. Alec Zhu, Lexington High versity. She completed her doctoral Dorothy Wingfield Phillips School, MA, Ananthan Sadagopan from studies at the University of Cincinnati, Award for Leadership Westborough High School, MA, and and, again, was the first African-Amer- 2010 Fellow of the American Chemi- Anugrah Chemparathy of Dougherty ican woman in Cincinnati to earn a PhD cal Society Valley High School, CA, all earned gold in chemistry. 2011 New England Institute of medals placing 8th, 12th and 24th re- In 1973 the joined the American Chemists Distinguished Chemist spectively. Chemical Society. Phillips joined the Award 235 students from 60 countries Dow Chemical Company as a bench sci- competed at this year’s remote access entist. Phillips joined the Waters Corpo- 2015 Vanderbilt University, Dr. International Chemistry Olympiad coor- ration in 1984, where she worked in Dorothy J. Wingfield Phillips dinated from Istanbul, Turkey. research and development. After an al- Endowed Chair ACS has sponsored the American most thirty-year career, Phillips retired 2017 Vanderbilt University, Dorothy J. team annually since the U.S. joined the from the Waters Corporation in 2013 as Wingfield Phillips Chancellor’s Olympiad in 1984. Principal funding is Director of Strategic Marketing. Faculty Fellowships through the ACS Donald F. and Mildred Topp Othmer Olympiad Endowment, Dorothy’s late husband, James 2019 Vanderbilt University, 2019 with additional support from other Phillips, was also a chemist, an active Class of Vanderbilt Trailblazers donors. member of NESACS and the 2019 re- u cipient of the Henry A. Hill Award. She Congratulations Team USA for this has three children, Anthony, Crystal and great achievement! To get involved in Vicki and many grandchildren. the USNCO program, contact your local section coordinator today! u
The NESACS website Updated frequently • Late-breaking news • position postings Back issues of the Nucleus archived • Career-related Links • Awards and Scholarships WWW.NESACS.org
6 The Nucleus November 2020 https://american-chemical-society.zoom.com/webinar/register/WN_RFcGJwJsQ6ezDC9FZ7s7tg
Atwood Cheung Principal Scientist, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research (NIBR) Dr. Atwood Cheung is a Principal Scientist at Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research in Cambridge, MA. He received his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the laboratories of Prof. Marc Snapper at Boston College, and his Bachelors of Science in Chemistry from University of California at Berkeley. Atwood began his drug hunting career at Exelixis in California synthesizing his first kinase inhibitors. At Novartis, he has led new target discovery and drug development efforts in oncology, immunology, and neuroscience. He was instrumental in the discovery of tankyrase as a novel drug target for cancers resulting from the dysfunction of the Wnt signaling pathway, and more recently, advancement of a novel RNA splicing modulator into the clinic for Spinal Muscular Atrophy. He currently conducts research in respiratory and cardiovascular disease areas. Symposium Organizing Committee: Brian Aquila, Mark Ashwell, Scott Edmondson, Dan Elbaum, Jeremy Green, Paul Greenspan, Adrian Hobson, Blaise Lippa, Lisa Marcaurelle, Min Lu, Kap-Sun Yeung, Andrew Scholte, Raj (SB0 Rajur (Chair) Visit: http://www.nesacs.org/medchem.html
The Nucleus November 2020 7 American Chemical Society 260th ACS National Meeting Virtual August 17-20, 2020 Councilor Talking Points: Summary Brian B. Brady 146 cil approved the Petition to Clarify of Governance Issues and Actions James M. Landis 158 Amendments to the Standing Rules and disbanded the Joint Board-Coun- The following summary is provided to Mitchell R.M. Bruce 170 cil Committee on Chemical Abstracts help Councilors report to their Local *Zaida C. Morales-Martinez 278 Service, contingent on approval by Sections and Divisions on key actions of James C. Carver 148 the Board of Directors. the ACS Council meeting held virtually *Margaret J. Schooler 237 August 19, 2020, and the Board of Di- *Mark D. Frishberg 171 Establishment of an International rectors meetings held virtually August *Jeanette M. Van Emon 201 Chemical Sciences Chapter • On the recommendation of the Com- 13 and 21, 2020. • By electronic ballot, the Council mittee on International Activities, and The Council meeting was held vir- elected Martha G. Hollomon, Diane tually due to the ongoing global Krone, Sarah M. Mullins, Andrea B. with the concurrence of the Council COVID-19 pandemic that continues to Twiss-Brooks, and Javier Vela for Policy Committee, Council approved affect our personal lives and our work. three-year terms (2021-2023) on the the creation of an ACS International Councilors were urged to take into ac- Committee on Committees (ConC). Chemical Sciences Chapter in the Is- rael, contingent on approval by the count their own actions and habits to Catherine E. Costello 149 make their own communities safer. Board of Directors. Michael D. Mosher 170 Councilors were advised to use their po- Resolutions: sitions as members of the scientific en- Debbie M. Decker 76 *Sarah M. Mullins 227 The Council passed resolutions: terprise to spread helpful messages and • In memory of deceased Councilors; encourage the safe practice of mask Harry J. Elston 125 Susan J. Olesik 180 • Acknowledging Luis Echegoyen’s wearing, physical distancing, and limit- service as ACS President. ing exposure within your communities. *Martha G. Hollomon 226 The continuous and ongoing strug- *Andrea B. Twiss-Brooks 203 Highlights from Committee Reports gle in this country to create a safe and *Diane Krone 213 Nominations and Elections: equitable society for all was brought to *Javier Vela 208 The Committee on Nominations and Council’s attention. The ACS encour- • By electronic ballot, the Council Elections solicits Councilors’ input of ages inclusivity and opposes discrimina- elected Jetty L. Duffy-Matzner, Kevin qualified individuals for President-Elect, tion in scientific learning and practice. J. Edgar, Neil D. Jespersen, Julianne Directors, and the three Elected Com- Councilors were urged to take active M. D. Smist, and Linette M. Watkins mittees for future consideration. Sugges- roles in dismantling any barriers that for three-year terms (2021-2023) on tions can be sent to [email protected]. may deter or impede their colleagues in the Committee on Nominations and Ballots for the 2020 fall national their research or careers. Councilors and Elections (N&E). election will be distributed starting on guests were encouraged to review the Thomas R. Beattie 131 September 28th, with a voting deadline ACS statements on diversity and reflect Michael J. Kenney 110 four weeks later on October 23rd. ACS on how to implement these in their local members eligible to vote and with an Mark A. Benvenuto 153 sections and divisions. email address on file will receive an R. Daniel Libby 144 Actions of the Council electronic ballot with the option to re- *Jetty L. Duffy-Matzner 252 quest a paper ballot. Those members Election Results: Elected Commit- Robert A. Pribush 144 with no email address on file will be sent tees of Council *Kevin J. Edgar 162 a paper ballot with the option to vote • By electronic ballot, the Council *Julianne M. D. Smist 239 electronically. The ACS election vendor, elected Elizabeth M. Howson, Zaida *Neil D. Jespersen 195 Survey & Ballot Systems, will send C. Morales-Martinez, Margaret J. *Linette M. Watkins 294 three email reminders during the voting Schooler, and Jeanette M. Van Emon period to those who have not voted as of for three-year terms (2021-2023), and Other Council Actions the reminder dates. N&E encouraged all Mark D. Frishberg for a one-year term Key Actions: ACS members to vote for President- (2021) on the Council Policy Commit- • On the recommendation of the Com- Elect. Election information may be tee (CPC). mittee on Committees, and with the viewed at acs.org/elections. Gary D. Anderson 97 concurrence of the Council Policy *Elizabeth M. Howson 244 Committee, Coun- continued on page 9
8 The Nucleus November 2020 National Meeting information at [email protected] larly by the Board. • On the recommendation of the Com- Continued from page 8 Actions of the Board of Directors mittee on Budget and Finance, the Budget and Finance The Board’s Executive Session Board voted to approve or reauthorize The Society’s 2020 financial perform- The ACS Board of Directors met in Ex- two program funding requests. ance through July 31st yielded a Net ecutive Session on August 13 and 21, from Operations of $55.7 million, or 2002, and focused on a number of key Chief Executive Officer’s Report $25 million greater than the same period strategic issues and took several related The Board received an extensive report in 2019. Total revenues are $354 mil- actions. from the CEO on issues relating to Safety and Diversity, Inclusion, and Re- lion, 5% ahead of last year, and total ex- The Board’s Committees penses are $298 million, or 3 percent spect as core values of the Society, as The Board received and discussed re- well as on the continued response of the below last year. Unrestricted Net Assets ports from its committees on Budget and Society to the COVID-19 pandemic, increased to $466 million. Finance, Executive Compensation, Pub- ACS membership, ACS financial per- The committee approved one pro- lications, Pensions and Investments, formance, and upcoming events and ac- gram reauthorization request and one Professional and Member Relations, and tivities. new pilot program request for consider- its Governing Board for Publishing, ation by the Board of Directors. which included the activities, opportu- Other Society Business The most direct revenue impact to nities, and challenges of the Chemical • The Board heard reports from the three the Society related to the COVID pan- Abstracts Service (CAS) and the ACS members of the Presidential Succes- demic has been to meeting- related rev- Publications Division. sion on their current activities, as well enues with the termination of the • On the recommendation of the Com- as those planned for 2020-21, particu- in-person Spring National Meeting and mittee on Professional and Member larly the presidential symposia and en- termination of the in-person Green Relations, the Board voted to approve dorsed symposia for Fall 2020 Virtual Chemistry Conference. Significant ef- the Society’s nominees for the 2021 National Meeting. fort has been devoted to expense man- National Science Board Public Service • The Board held a strategic discussion agement. The Society expects to meet its Award and the 2021 Perkin Medal. on ways to turn the ACS Core Value of budgeted net contribution of $41.3M. The Board also approved changes in Diversity, Inclusion, and Respect, one Fall 2020 Virtual Meeting Atten- the selection criteria for the Priestley of the most important strategic issues dance Medal, the Charles Lathrop Parsons facing the Society today, into a priori- The theme of the 260th ACS National Award, and the Award for Volunteer tized action plan for the coming years. Meeting was “Moving Chemistry from Service to the ACS, as well as revi- The development of such a plan would Bench to Market.” As of August 19th, sions to the National Awards Code of be undertaken in collaboration with the registration for the Meeting, broken Conduct Confirmation statement. Advisory Board on Diversity, Inclu- down by Category was: • The Board approved an amendment to sion and Respect and would promote Member 3,494 the Board Regulations on the duties of the coordination of committee activi- Student Member 1,638 the Committee on Professional and ties so as to emphasize the urgency of Unemployed Member 25 Member Relations to include “moni- “moving the needle” both within ACS Non-Member 945 toring, assessing, and facilitating the and in the broader chemistry enter- prise. Student Non-Member 375 Society’s progress on Diversity, Inclu- Total 6,477 sion, and Respect.” • The Board received an update on the • On recommendations of the Commit- development of a re-envisioned Pro- Virtual Presentation Uploads tee on Publications, the Board voted to fessional and Leadership Development All Inclusive (SciMtgs) 1,735 approve the appointments and the Portfolio. The portfolio will position Virtual Platform Only 1,655 reappointments of several editors-in- ACS to cultivate strategic partnerships Temporary Access Option 640 chief for ACS journals The appoint- with colleges and universities, corpo- Presentation Uploads 4,067 ments will be announced in C&EN rations, and government agencies. There will be a continued focus on Petitions to Amend the Constitution once the individuals have been notified members/potential members as well, and Bylaws and appropriate arrangements for their one adhering to the goal of developing New petitions to amend the Constitution service have been made. Highly Effective Professionals, which or Bylaws must be received by the Chief • The Board received a briefing and ap- is the center point of the project frame- Executive Officer no later than Decem- proved recommendations from its work developed by the NextGen Task ber 2, 2020 to be included in the Council Committee on Executive Compensa- Force on Leadership Development in agenda for consideration at the spring tion stemming from a recent executive December 2019. 2021 meeting in San Antonio. Contact salary benchmarking study. The com- the Committee on Constitution and By- pensation of the Society’s executive • The Board received an initial debrief, laws with any questions or requests for staff continues to be reviewed regu- led by the Chief Executive Officer, of continued on page 12
The Nucleus November 2020 9 cent victim of the COVID-19 pandemic He said, “Now that I have seen Historical and died at the age of 91 in Wayland. what you are capable of doing, I expect Just six months earlier he was inter- no less from you ever again.” viewed by the Austrian Cultural Center Al also met his wife, Joy, at North- Notes about his life story as a Jewish refugee eastern in December 1962 and they mar- By Michael P. Filosa, Editor who escaped Austria at the age of 9 and ried in October 1963. A lifelong birder made a life in the United States. His life and wildlife photographer, with a life list Alfred Viola story can be found at the Leo Baeck In- in excess of 2300 species, he enjoyed a July 8, 1928 – May 15, 2020 stitute. Listening to the recording is like hobby of nature photography and to- sitting with Al again. gether with his wife traveled to all seven http://digipres.cjh.org:1801/delivery/Del continents. The photo collection of more iveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE61960 than 6000 images amassed by Alfred 34 and his wife was subsequently donated Al was born July 8, 1928 in Vienna, to the University of Georgia Center for Austria. He fled the Nazi regime at the Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health age of nine via the Kindertransport and and are available to the public through spent a year in Britain before leaving its website, www.Bugwood.org. England with his mother to be reunited with his father in New York City. The family soon moved to Baltimore where employment prospects were better for his father. He pursued higher education at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute and Johns Hopkins University. He received his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the University of Maryland. Al originally came to Boston for a https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/bost Post-doctoral fellowship at Boston Uni- onglobe/obituary.aspx?pid=196200439 Al with Jim Katengu, their Malawi Birding versity. His position was dependent on Guide. funding by the Air Force and ended Alfred Viola was a fixture at NESACS In 1991, Alfred and his wife estab- Board Meetings when I began my abruptly when funding was withdrawn. He had to scramble to find an academic lished the Alfred and Joy Viola Under- tenure as Nucleus Editor in 2005. He graduate Scholarship at Northeastern was always a friendly presence and was job. He began his academic career at Northeastern University in 1957 as a University for students majoring in in charge of the NESACS Continuing chemistry and pharmacy. More than 30 Education Subcommittee for many one-year substitute and remained there for 41 years retiring as Professor Emer- students have since benefited from this years. He would arrange once or twice scholarship. a year for a short course of interest to itus in 1997. He taught Organic Chemistry at Al was a 50-year member of the NESACS membership to be held at a American Chemical Society and re- convenient location such as Northeast- both the undergraduate and graduate level. He was nominated and received ceived the Henry A. Hill Award from ern University where he was an emeritus NESACS in 1996. He is survived by his professor. Those courses would be ad- Northeastern University’s Excellence in Teaching Award in 1991. His research wife, Joy, several cousins in California, vertised at no cost in the Nucleus, much many of his wife’s family members in to the chagrin of Ad Manager Vince was in physical organic chemistry and he published 39 papers. Minnesota with whom he was close, and Gale who did not like anybody to get several nieces and nephews in Israel, as free advertising for an event that was in- At his retirement party in 1997, his former student, Ann Beaulieu, a senior well as his beloved dogs, Ozzie, a tended to make money. golden retriever and Anna, a black Al was also a very passionate birder manager in the Research Department of Rohm and Haas, told the following labrador. Internment was at Mount and nature photographer. I remember Auburn Cemetery, a favored location for after one board meeting discussing the story: “I was an A student until I hit or- watching the spring warbler migration. camera he had mounted on a “rifle Donations in his memory may be made stock” so that he could better track birds ganic with AV. I got a 62 on the first exam and a 47 on the second exam. I to the Yankee Golden Retriever Rescue, and “shoot” them. His wife Joy told me PO Box 808, Hudson, MA or the Sud- that there were actually three of them studied nothing but organic chemistry for the next six weeks and got a 98 on bury Valley Trustees, 18 Wolbach Road, made for use by Al and his two Sudbury, MA 01778. nephews.. the final. AV’s response was a statement that has guided me throughout my entire More wildlife photos by the Violas Al was a much beloved professor at are included on page 13. Northeastern University. He was a re- career.” Historical Notes continued on page 11 10 The Nucleus November 2020 Historical Notes Frank Vellacio. Although Kemp never Dietmar Seyferth won the James Flack Norris Award for Jan. 11, 1929 – June 6, 2020 Continued from page 10 the Outstanding Teaching of Chemistry Daniel Schaeffer Kemp awarded by NESACS, this was, as with MIT Chemistry lost another iconic fig- Oct. 20, 1936 – May 2, 2020 many awards, an unfortunate oversight. ure when Emeritus Professor Dietmar Kemp’s major research interest was Seyferth died from complications from Daniel Kemp, long-time professor at in protein synthesis and properties. His Covid-19 on June 6, 2020 at the age of MIT, died peacefully from respiratory most cited paper is “Mechanism of Sta- 91. A detailed obituary by Danielle complications due to COVID-19 on bilization of Helical Conformations of Doughty for MIT News can be found at May 2, 2020. Polypeptides in Water containing triflu- https://news.mit.edu/2020/dietmar- An exceptional obituary for Dan oroethanol.” The Kemp triacid paper is seyferth-professor-emeritus-chemistry- was written by Danielle Doughty and his second most cited work. He received dies-0619 . published by MIT News. both a Cope Scholar Award and the Professor Seyferth was a pioneer in https://news.mit.edu/2020/daniel-kemp- 2000 Ralph F. Hirschmann Award in the field of organometallic chemistry professor-emeritus-chemistry-dies-0508 Peptide Chemistry from the American and the first editor of the seminal Amer- Daniel Schaeffer Kemp was born Chemical Society in recognition of his ican Chemical Society journal, October 20, 1936 in Portland, Oregon. scholarship. Organometallics. He was also a regional He received his undergraduate degree Of further note is a reference I editor for The Journal of Organometallic from Reed College in 1958 and his found to a Tetrahedron article published Chemistry. He was the recipient of many Ph.D. under the direction of R. B. in 1999 which was a transcript of a awards in organometallic chemistry and Woodward in 1964. panel discussion held at the 1981 ACS a revered mentor for many in the field. At Harvard he had the distinction Meeting in remembrance of R. B. Dietmar was born in 1929 in Chem- of being a member of the Society of Fel- Woodward. [Tetrahedron, 55, 10253 nitz, Germany and emigrated to Buffalo, lows. Junior Fellows “must be persons (1999)]. New York in 1933. He completed his un- of exceptional ability, originality and re- The panelists were former Wood- dergraduate studies at the University of sourcefulness, and should be of the ward students and prominent academic Buffalo and his Ph.D at Harvard Univer- highest calibre of intellectual achieve- chemists: H. H. Wasserman, J. A. sity in 1955 with Professor Eugene Ro- ment, comparable to successful junior Berson, J. B. Hendrickson, E. Wenkert chow. He was a post-doctoral student at faculty positions at leading universi- and D. S. Kemp. Roald Hoffman also the Technische Hochschule, Munich and ties.” Professor Kemp was very proud talked at that ACS Meeting about work- at Harvard University. He worked of his receiving this three-year fellow- ing with Woodward and developing the briefly at Dow Chemical in Michigan ship which allowed him pursue studies Woodward-Hoffman rules. before joining MIT as an assistant pro- in any department of the University free One of the best courses I ever took fessor in 1957. He became Emeritus from formal requirements. Such an was a course for first year graduate stu- Professor in 1999. honor was highly appropriate for a man dents in Organic Synthesis in the fall of Professor Seyferth is survived by renowned for his expansive intellect and 1973 taught by Professor Kemp. The his wife of 63 years, Helena; son Eric intellectual interests. specifics of the course have blended to- (Sara) Seyferth of Bennington, Vermont; I remember Dan telling me that the gether into the continuum of synthetic son Karl Seyferth of Lexington, Massa- Junior Fellowship appointment was very chemistry in my mind although I do re- chusetts, daughter Elisabeth and her important as he was not happy with the member a particular story he told: husband Michael McKenna of Lexing- state of his research three years into his “A student was distilling from a ton, five grandchildren and two great- Ph.D. studies, but the 3 year Junior Fel- very small flask into a very large flask. grandchildren. u lowship allowed him the time to fully The instructor attempted to tell him of develop his ideas and abilities in prepa- the folly of his set up but the student ration for his academic career. truculently responded: In 1964 Dan began his career at “Yeah, you think so? Well how do MIT and spent the next 45 years as a you explain this?” Professor becoming Professor Emeritus “The student opened a drawer and in 2009. Dan was an exceptional lecturer showed the instructor three equally and teacher and was a strong influence large flasks filled with distillate!” on many generations of MIT students. What’s Yours? “There was a leak in the con- In the early 1970s the introductory Many local employers post positions denser!” The class roared. on the NESACS job board. organic chemistry courses 5.41 and 5.42 Donations in Dan’s memory can be followed “Kemp’s Notes” which devi- made to Foster Parrots, Beth-Israel Dea- Find yours at ated significantly in their methodology coness Medical Center, or The Center from other texts of the day. These efforts for Teaching and Learning at Reed Col- www.nesacs.org/careers ultimately led to the publishing in 1980 lege. of a textbook with his former student
The Nucleus November 2020 11 member of the ACS Board of Directors email addresses for supplemental infor- National Meeting (1996-2004) who also served as its mation presented in reports at the Coun- Continued from page 9 Chair (2001-2003). cil meeting. the first-ever virtual ACS National Board Approval of Council Action Council reports Meeting and Exposition. There will be Reports of all Officers and Committee a complete review and assessment of • The Board of Directors voted to con- Chairs of the Fall 2020 Virtual Council the event from multiple perspectives in firm the amendments to Bylaw XI, per https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/abo the weeks to come. the Petition to Clarify Amendments to the Standing Rules approved by Coun- ut/governance/councilors/committee- • The debrief noted above provided a cil on August 19. reports-to- council-at-national-meet- lead-in to and context for a status up- ings.html date from the Task Force on the Future • The Board of Directors voted to con- of Meetings. This task force has been firm the disbanding of the Joint Board- Officers charged with performing a “deep dive” Council Committee on Chemical Luis Echegoyen, President on the current portfolio of ACS meet- Abstracts Service in accordance with [email protected] ings and conferences, identifying cur- Council action on August 19. H.N. Cheng, President-Elect rent offerings, evaluating governance • The Board of Directors voted to au- [email protected] and staff support structures, revenue thorize the formation of the Israel In- Bonnie A. Charpentier, Immediate- streams, financial targets, and business ternational Chemical Sciences Chapter Past-President models, and recommending actions in accordance with Council action on [email protected] that will ensure the sustainability and August 19. future relevance of that portfolio. ACS Offices SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMA- Office of Secretary & General Counsel • The Board offered a resolution in TION FOR COUNCILORS [email protected] u memory of Nina I. McClelland, a The following is a list of URLs and
Northeastern Section of the American Chemical Society (NESACS)
Get Member Benefits Educate and Reach Out • Join the NESACS community • National Chemistry Week • Network with local chemists • STEM Journeys • Attend monthly meetings • Avery Ashdown Exam • Gain new skills • Chemists Celebrate Earth Week Honoring Achievements • Phyllis A. Brauner Book Award • Gustavus John Esselen Award Find Your Niche • Arno Heyn Memorial Book Prize • Board of Publications • Henry A. Hill Award • Women in Chemistry • James Flack Norris Award • Senior Chemists Committee • Theodore William Richards • Government Relations Medal & Teaching • Membership Committee Award • German Exchange Committee • Northeastern Section Younger Chemists Committee (NSYCC) Be Involved Embrace Science • Attend a NESACS event • Medicinal Chemistry Symposium • Volunteer for a NESACS committee • Chemical Biology in the Hub • Write an article for The Nucleus • Process Chemistry Symposium • Join NESACS leadership www.nesacs.org
12 The Nucleus November 2020 Photographs by Alfred and Joy Viola The complete collection of over 6000 wildlife photos by the Violas can be found at University of Georgia’s Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health at https://www.forestryimages.org/wildlife.cfm
Hudson Bay polar bear (Ursus maritimus) Photograph by Alfred Viola African Fish Eagle (Haliaeetus vocifer) Photograph by Alfred Viola
Toco Toucan (Ramphastos toco) Photograph by Alfred Viola Gila Woodpecker (Melanerpes uropygialis) Photograph by Joy Viola
Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica) Photograph by Alfred Viol
Musk Lorikeet (Glossopsitta concinna) Photograph by Alfred Viola
The Nucleus November 2020 13 Report from Malta IX public of Malta in December 2021, NESACS marking 20 years since the work began Continued from page 2 on the first Malta Conference within new structure for the workshops com- Subcommittee IV (Human Rights and 2020 pared to the previous Conferences so as Scientific Freedom) of the ACS Interna- to address more effectively the issues of tional Activities Committee (IAC). water scarcity, air pollution, environ- Malta IX was supported by co- Election mental degradation, and other topics, in sponsorship grants from, among others, order to focus attention toward mean- Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Results ingful changes in the region. All the (Germany), Korea Chemical Industry workshops were interactive and were Carol Mulrooney elected NESACS Research Group, OPCW, UNESCO, co-chaired by a chemist and an entrepre- 2021 Chair-Elect Committee of Concerned Scientists, neur in order to promote new ideas and Chemical Abstracts Service, ACS Pub- Chair-Elect pave the way for new startups. The par- lications, and the ACS Board of Direc- Carol Mulrooney 230 ticipants presented their research in tors; the latter contribution subsidized Patrick Gordon 161 guided poster sessions, which preceded the cost of attendance at the conference Treasurer the workshops, in the following topical for 15 young people from the Middle Ashis Saha 357 groups: East. Trustee • Nanoscience, Nano-bioscience, and The success of the Malta Confer- Cathy Costello 220 Nanotechnology ences, as measured by the interest of po- Ruth Tanner 160 • Medicinal Chemistry: Biotechnology, tential participants to attend and the number of collaborations that have been Councilor/Alternate Councilor-Vote Organic and Biochemistry, Bio- physics established, can be attributed to the fact for 10 that the conferences are held in a “neu- • Sustainability of Resources: Energy Carol Mulrooney 256 tral” country outside the region, where and Materials Patricia A. Mabrouk 220 there is the possibility for everyone to Caitlyn Mills 194 • Environment: Air, Water, and Soil get a visa to attend (albeit with a lot of Anna W. Sromek 193 • Women in Science Forum hard work to overcome many obstacles), Michael Singer 191 • Science and Technology Education at that participants are carefully vetted in Patrick Gordon 179 all Levels order to avoid potentially dangerous sit- Meredith Ward 177 A special workshop was held on uations, and that science, not politics, is Katie Rubino 167 chemical, biological, and nuclear secu- the focus. Mariam Ismail 166 rity in collaboration with the Organisa- As was noted in the guest editorial Lori Ferrins 159 tion for the Prohibition of Chemical by Zafra Lerman and Emma Zajdela, a Director at Large-Vote for 2 Weapons (OPCW), which examined the Ph.D. student at Northwestern Univer- Dr John Neumeyer 227 scientific, educational, and regulatory sity, in the March 16, 2020, issue of frameworks for safety in facilities in- Chemical & Engineering News: Imag- Dr. James U. Piper 221 volving dangerous chemicals and ioniz- ine walking into a room and encounter- Dr. Ralph Scannell 205 ing radiation sources. The new forum ing several round tables, each with 10 Nominating Committee-Vote for 2 for women in science was held every scientists from countries or regions Lisa Marcaurelle 279 day during lunchtime. whose governments are hostile to one Doris Lewis 225 A total of 52 oral and poster presen- another, and those scientists are dis- Anyin Li 116 tations were made. The posters were on cussing potential scientific collabora- Matthias Eberstadt 71 display throughout the entire meeting, tions with civility and friendship. At one Norris Award Committee-Vote for 2 and were presented by the researchers to table, for example, were representatives Christine Caputo 225 the interested participants, which were from Syria, Iraq, Iran, Gaza, Israel, Patricia Mabrouk 201 extended into the guided discussion Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, George O’Doherty 156 groups, providing opportunities for in- and Jordan. Where else in the world can Chris Moreton 113 depth interpretation of the material and that happen? As one participant said, intense interactions. “Only at the Malta Conferences.” u Out of 6299 eligible votes, 408 (6.48%) The closing session summarized were cast in the election. u the discussions and outcomes in the var- ious workshops, and emphasized the great need for the exchange of informa- tion and scientists across borders. The participants enthusiastically endorsed the motion to hold Malta X in the Re-
14 The Nucleus November 2020 BUSINESS DIRECTORY
SERVICES SERVICES SERVICES
What’s Yours? Many local employers post positions on the NESACS job board. Find yours at www.nesacs.org/jobs
Seqens North America process research and chemical manufacturing services from early development through commercialization.
cGMP Custom API Synthesis Join Medical Grade Polymers Controlled Substance Manufacturing NESACS Cryogenic API Manufacturing on facebook (978) 462-5555 9 Opportunity Way, Newburyport, MA 01950 www.facebook.com/nesacs pcisynthesis.com
Your source to career-related links WWW.NESACS.ORG/CAREERS
Index of Advertisers Eastern Scientific Co...... 16 Micron, Inc...... 15 Organix, Inc...... 15 Seqens...... 15 Robertson Microlit Labs..15
The Nucleus November 2020 15 -
u
com Join NESACS Samurdhi Wijesundera,
on facebook www.facebook.com/nesacs 12:00 pm many) On-line Harvard, 12:15 pm November 18 Ger Marburg, Dehnan (Univ. Prof. Stefanie November 19 (Univ. Vaikuntanathan Prof. Suriyanarayan Chicago) On-line Harvard, 3:00 pm November 24 Of Science) Inst. Prof. Dan Oron (Weizmann seminar Modern Optics and Spectroscopy On-line MIT, Notices for The Nucleus Calendar of Seminars should be sent to: Email: samu.amameth@gmail.
- -
https://mit.zoom.us/j/96836004486 Reduction and Electrode Modifica Reduction and Electrode 2
Zoom: tion Hampshire, On-line New Univ. 11:10 am Drivers of Enhanced Immunity 12:00 pm (UC Irvine) Yang Prof. Jenny Designing Selective Catalysts for Low Overpo tential CO MIT, MIT, 12:00 pm November 16 Hong Kong) Prof. Hua Zhang (Univ. B Hariri Building, Rm 208 Rafik Boston Univ., 11:00 am November 17 Inst. Of Science) Prof. Gilad Haran (Weizmann seminar Modern Optics and Spectroscopy On-line MIT, November 5 Prof. Ellen M. Sletten (UCLA) On-line 3:00 pm Harvard, November 9 Wisconsin- Prof. Randall Goldsmith (U. Madison) B Hariri Building, Rm 208 Rafik Boston Univ., 11:00 am November 10 Nagib (Ohio State Univ.) Prof. David 2:00 pm Boston College November 12 Shalek (MIT) Alex Prof. Identifying and Rationally Modulating Cellular November 4 Prof. Conner Gilhula (MIT) pm On-line 4:15 MIT,
NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID NORTHEASTERN SECTION AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY 18 Tamarack Road Medfield, MA 02052
eminars.html istry/events/index.html ming /events-2/ ts/seminarSeries/index.asp minars-and-Colloquia.aspx ts/chemistry-biochemistry for late Calendar additions: http://www.NESACS.org Wisconsin-Madison) Prof. Martin Zanni (U. B Hariri Building, Rm 208 Rafik Boston Univ., 11:00 am` November 2
Note also the Chemistry Department web and updates. travel directions pages for These include: http://www.bc.edu/schools/cas/chemistry/s http://www.bu.edu/chemistry/seminars/ http://www.brandeis.edu/departments/chem http://chemistry.harvard.edu/calendar/upco http://www.northeastern.edu/cos/chemistry http://chemistry.mit.edu/events/all http://chem.tufts.edu/seminars.html http://engineering.tufts.edu/chbe/newsEven http://www.chem.umb.edu http://www.umassd.edu/cas/chemistry/ http://www.uml.edu/Sciences/chemistry/Se http://www.unh.edu/chemistry/events https://www.wpi.edu/academics/departmen Calendar Check the NESACS home page