ACS NEWS
SYMPOSIUM HIGHLIGHTS WCC’S RISING STARS
developing novel methodologies for the analytical characterization of complex materials. Laurie E. Breyfogle of Procter & Gamble is researching novel formulations for the commercialization of consumer products. Annaliese K. Franz of the University of California, Davis, is developing new synthetic methodologies for the synthesis of biologically active molecules. Christine M. Ingersoll of Muhlenberg College, in Allentown, Pa., is developing analytical techniques to study plant chemistry and address ecological questions. Malika Jeffries-El of Iowa State Univer-
LINDA WANG/C& EN
The Women Chemists Committee (WCC) of the American Chemical Society honored the 10 recipients of its inaugural Rising Star Award during a symposium on March 26 at the ACS national meeting in San Diego. This award, which recognizes exceptional midcareer women chemists, will be presented annually at the spring ACS national meeting. “The inaugural group of Rising Star Award winners is an outstanding and diverse set of truly talented women chemists from all aspects of the chemistry enterprise: academia, government, industry, and not-for-profit organizations,” notes ACS Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer Madeleine Jacobs. “In talking to the winners, I was struck by how much it meant to them to receive an award that MIDCAREER DYNAMOS Rising recognizes their sity is designing and synthesizing accomplishments Star awardees are (back row, novel polymers for use in a variety of left) Regalla, Jeffries-El, at a stage in their from applications. Franz, Balss, (front row, from careers when Julia Laskin of Pacific Northwest left) Schroeder, Laskin, Sassin, such recognition Ingersoll, and Reisman. National Laboratory is researching Breyfogle is not pictured. is exceptionally gas-phase ion chemistry and the important to their mass spectrometry of large, comfurther advanceplex molecules. ment,” Jacobs adds. “Through this award, Lisa Regalla of “DragonflyTV,” in St. WCC has made a significant and focused Paul, is promoting science careers to young effort to promote the recognition and regirls through the “SciGirls” television setention of women chemists in the chemisries, which she developed. try enterprise.” Sarah E. Reisman of California InstiJudith Cohen, WCC’s chair, adds, “I tute of Technology is developing catalytic am so excited to see that the first group of asymmetric methodologies for natural Rising Star awardees spans so many areas product synthesis. of chemistry—from sustainability to the Megan B. Sassin of the Naval Research development of new energy sources to the Laboratory, in Washington, D.C., is designnurturing of the next generation of great ing and developing electrochemical energy women scientists.” storage systems. The following 10 women, listed along Gretchen M. Schroeder of Bristolwith the focus of their research or work, are Myers Squibb is designing and synthesizing recipients of the 2012 Rising Star Award: novel oncology agents that have resulted in Karin M. Balss of Johnson & Johnson is various clinical candidates. WWW.CEN-ONLIN E .ORG
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For details on nominating the next WCC Rising Star, go to womenchemists.sites. acs.org. Nominations for 2013 are due on June 1.—SUSAN AINSWORTH
ACS WELCOMES IRAQI DELEGATION A delegation of 10 Iraqi chemists attended the ACS national meeting in San Diego as part of a program to rejuvenate the national chemical society in Iraq. ACS, through its Office of International Activities, organized the effort, which was led by the U.S. Department of State Chemical Security Engagement Program (CSP) and facilitated by the nonprofit international development organization CRDF Global. While in San Diego, the Iraqi chemists met with members of ACS governance and attended committee meetings, networking events, and technical symposia. “We want to work to promote international science collaboration, and we want to ensure that scientists are integrated into an international scientific community,” said Kate Eyerman, a program officer with CSP. “One way that we look to do that is by strengthening chemical societies and promoting scientific communities.” “They’re learning a lot about our governance, and I hope we can give them some ideas that they can take back home to help them in rejuvenating the Iraqi Chemical Society,” said Nancy B. Jackson, ACS immediate past-president and manager of the International Chemical Threat Reduction Department at Sandia National Laboratories. “The other thing I hope is that we can get some collaboration going.” One of the delegates said attending the ACS national meeting has helped him expand his professional network. “We are building a new Iraq and hoping that with the [help of ] American institutions, we can rebuild Iraq on a solid basis,” he said. Judith L. Benham, chair of the ACS Committee on International Activities, said that supporting this effort is consistent with the committee’s mission. “Our number one strategic goal is international collaborations in support of global challenges, and a lot of the issues that they’re facing are representative of global challenges.”—LINDA WANG Announcements of ACS news may be sent to
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