Chicago Section The Chemical Bulletin http://chicagoacs.org JUNE • 2010 CHICAGO SECTION AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY Monthly Meeting THURSDAY, JUNE 17, 2010 Manzo’s Banquets GENERAL MEETING 7:30 P.M. 1571 S. Elmhurst Road Des Plaines, IL Presentation of the 50 and 60-YEAR 847-593-2233 AWARDS The Chicago Section honors our fifty DIRECTIONS TO THE MEETING and sixty-year members. From the East: Take I-90 west. Exit onto Elmhurst Road north. Go past first traf- fic light (Oakton St.). The banquet hall is on your right. Presentation of the 2010 DISTIN- GUISHED SERVICE AWARD to Russ From the West: Take I-90 east. Exit onto Arlington Heights Road south. Go to Hig- Johnson (see page 5 ) gins Road (Rt. 72). Turn left. Take Higgins to Oakton St. Turn left. Go to Elmhurst Road. Turn left. The banquet hall is on your right. After-Dinner Speaker From the North: Take I-294 south to I-90 west. Exit onto Elmhurst Road north. Go past first traffic light (Oakton St.). The banquet hall is on your right. From the South: Take I-294 north to I-90 west. Exit onto Elmhurst Road north. Go past first traffic light (Oakton St.). The banquet hall is on your right. Another way from the South is to take I-355 north to I-90 east. Exit onto Arlington Heights Road south. Go to Higgins Road (Rt. 72). Turn left. Take Higgins to Oakton St. Turn left. Go to Elmhurst Road. Turn left. The banquet hall is on your right. PARKING: Free JOB CLUB 5:00 - 6:00 PM SOCIAL HOUR (Cash Bar) 5:30 - 6:30 P.M. Complementary pizza DINNER 6:30 P.M. Menu: Onion Soup; Garden salad with choice of dressing; Entrée Selections: Tila- pia, New York Strip Steak, or Pasta Primavera; rolls and butter; Spumoni ice cream; beverage. (continued on page 2) IN THIS ISSUE 3 ChemShorts for Kids 9 Death Notices Joe Alper, Founder, Parrotfish Consulting 3 State Fair Project 10 Spring Council Report 3 Message from the Chair 10 EPA Chemical Database Topic: “Confessions of a Science Nerd” 4 50 & 60-Yr Members 11 Chemistry History Abstract: A love affair with science 5 DSA Awardee Russ Johnson 11 Ad Index does not always translate into a career 6-7 2009 Section Finances 12 Sponsors Needed as a scientist, but it can lead to plenty of 8 Women in Science Awards 12 Project SEED opportunities to advance the frontiers of 8 The Un-Comfort Zone 12 Calendar (continued on page 2) 6/10 2 (continued from page 1) nois, Joe received his B.S. in chemistry DINNER INFORMATION from the University of Illinois in Urbana- science in other ways. Today, a legion of Dinner reservations are required and Champaign, and M.S. degrees in bio- scientifically trained professionals is should be received in the Section Office chemistry and agricultural journalism from working behind the scenes to help pro- via phone (847-391-9091), email (chi- the University of Wisconsin-Madison. mote the cause of science in a variety of [email protected]), or online careers, including that of science writing. (http://www.chicagoacs.net) by noon on Though most scientists have a nega- JOB CLUB Tuesday, June 15. tive opinion of science writers, stem- The next meeting of the Chicago ming largely from their interactions with Section ACS Job Club will be held The dinner cost is $35 to Section mem- those science writers who make a living on Thursday, June 17 at 5:00 p.m. bers who have paid their local section as journalists, the majority of science at Manzo’s Banquets. The meeting dues, members’ families, and visiting writers have little to do with magazines will include a review and discussion ACS members. The cost to members and newspapers. These write for much of some of the tools that a chemist who haven’t paid their local section smaller audiences such as Congressio- can use to conduct a job search. dues and to non-Section members and nal staff, patient advocacy groups, cor- The Job Club provides a continuing is $37. The cost to students and unem- porate boards, funding agency bureau- opportunity for unemployed members ployed members is $20. Seating will be crats, and even the President of the of the Section to meet with one available for those who wish to attend United States. A glamorous job? Hardly, another, share their experiences and the meeting without dinner. PLEASE but one that can be intellectually satisfy- develop a network that may help in HONOR YOUR RESERVATIONS. The ing for the true science nerd, and one identifying employment opportunities. Section must pay for all dinner orders. that comes with many lessons that can Bring plenty of resumes and busi- No-shows will be billed. benefit all scientists. ness cards to distribute to your col- This presentation will discuss some of leagues. Be prepared to talk about those lessons and provide a view the kind of job you are seeking. through one science writer’s eyes of Several participants have received how being a science nerd can take you outsource help with resume prepara- to unexpected places in life. tion and marketing strategies to pres- Notice to ILLINOIS ent their best attributes to prospec- Teachers Biography: Joe Alper is the principal tive employers. The group has cri- of Parrotfish Consulting, which he found- The Chicago Section ACS is an tiqued some individual resumes and ISBE provider for professional ed in 1998 to offer communication and made suggestions for improvements strategic planning services to compa- development units for Illinois teach- in a positive way! ers. Teachers who register for this nies, foundations, and the Federal gov- The Job Club is also for employers ernment. He has played a major role in month's meeting will have the oppor- seeking chemists. Employers need to tunity to earn CPDU's. several large research initiatives, includ- be prepared to describe the positions ing the National Institute of Mental to be filled and requirements for Health’s Decade of the Brain and the these positions. National Cancer Institute’s Alliance for Should you wish to attend the Nanotechnology in Cancer and the Section’s dinner meeting following Physical Sciences in Oncology Initiative. the Job Club, the cost is $20 and He also works with the President’s Coun- you can continue your networking cil of Advisors on Science and Technolo- activities. Please call the Section gy formulating advice on a wide range of office for reservations and indicate scientific issues for President Obama. that you are eligible for a discount. Over the years, he has done his share of Also, the Chicago Section’s website journalism, writing the first popular report has a link to the Job Club’s yahoo job on the biochemical basis of mental illness forum group. If you can’t attend the for The Atlantic Monthly, and contributing Job Club, you can still find out about to a wide range of publications, including job openings and other information. Science, Nature, Analtyical Chemistry, The Smithsonian, The New York Times, and others. He also served as editor of SUMMER SCIENCE CAMPS the ACS’s Chemistry Magazine, hosted From June 14 to July 30, the SciTech the ACS’s Careers Industry Forum, and Hands-On Museum in downtown Aurora was in charge of strategic planning and will offer 24 one-week camps for chil- corporate communications for NeXstar dren, including the popular camps Pharmaceuticals, a chemistry-based bio- “Totally Ballistic!!” and “Kitchen Chemis- technology company. He even spent one try” as well as the new “Wild Weather month as the special assistant to the Wonders” camp. The camp schedule and Deputy Director for Education at the descriptions are available at www. National Science Foundation. scitechmuseum.org. The cost per camp Joe was the first freelance writer to is $225. Members receive a discount. win the ACS’s James T. Grady-James For more information and to sign up, H. Stack Award for Interpreting Chemis- call Joyce at 630-859-3434, ext. 214. try, and was the first writer to win two National Magazine Awards from the SciTech Hands On Museum American Psychological Association. 18 West Benton St After growing up in Morton Grove, Illi- Aurora, IL 60506 6/10 3 particles are, the more transparent or “clear” is this type of sunscreen. June, 2010 Vol. 97, No. 6. Published by the Chicago Section of The Ame- References: rican Chemical Society, Editorial The Elementary Education Committee Erica Jacobsen, ACS ChemMatters, Staff: Cherlyn Bradley, Editor; Fran of the Chicago Section ACS presents April 2010, page 15. Kravitz, Associate Editor; Richard this column. They hope that it will reach For an explanation of sunscreen ingre- Treptow, Proofreader; Frank Jarzem- young children and help increase their dients and for further activities see the bowski, Publications Business Mana- science literacy. Please print it out and same publication, page 13 by Gail ger. Address: 1400 Renaissance Dr., pass it on to your children, grandchil- Mitchell Emilsson. Park Ridge, Illinois 60068; 847/391- dren, or elementary school teachers. 9091. Subscription rates: $15 per Teachers are encouraged to incorporate Submitted by DR. KATHLEEN CARRADO year. Frequency: monthly-September the projects in this column into their les- through June. son plans. All past “ChemShorts for Kids”: http:// chicagoacs.org/CS_home.html Message from THE CHAIR Sunscreen Savvy JOIN US AT THE FAIR! We welcome Joe Alper back home to Kids, now that summer is upon us Chicago for our meeting on June 17. Joe The Chicago Section, along with the would you like a way to prove that a is one of the best known communicators other ACS Illinois Sections, again plans sunscreen works without using your of chemistry to the general public.