Apr
16
16
2008 Spring National Meeting
A Little Night Music
Posted by Carmen Drahl on April 16, 2008 in 2008 Spring National Meeting, ACS Meetings
Exactly one week ago today, I was at the ACS national neeting, trolling the convention center in New Orleans for interesting talks in the Organic Division, when I chanced upon an unassuming stack of black-and-white photocopied fliers. They promised both music and refreshments at that night’s joint poster session with the Medicinal Division. I like music and refreshments, so I stuffed the flier into my bag.
It should come as no surprise to you that chemists also like music and refreshments. Long after the last poster was lovingly rolled into its case, they were tapping and dancing along to the Zydepunks, who I think were the best example of interdisciplinarity at the meeting.
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Grand Science Challenges
Apr
14
14
Posted by Rachel Pepling on April 14, 2008 in 2008 Spring National Meeting, The Editor's Blog
From this week’s Editor’s Page:
One of the numerous presidential events at last week’s ACS national meeting in New Orleans was a session titled “Energy Research: Future Challenges & Opportunities.” The symposium was jointly sponsored by ACS and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers.
The keynote speaker at the session was Raymond L. Orbach, undersecretary for science at the Department of Energy. In his talk, Orbach said there “are the two questions that loom over humanity today: How will we supply all this needed new energy, and how can we do so without adding dangerously to atmospheric greenhouse gases?
“The energy and environmental challenge confronting us in the century ahead is truly monumental. It may be one of the biggest challenges humanity has ever faced.”
Read the rest of the editorial
Leaving The Big Easy = Not Easy
Apr
10
10
Posted by Carmen Drahl on April 10, 2008 in 2008 Spring National Meeting, ACS Meetings
I’m sitting in the airport, waiting for my flight, hence my current state of blogorrhea (two back-to-back posts!). At least one of C&EN’s reporters got bumped from an American Airlines flight out of New Orleans yesterday. I’m flying US Airways this afternoon, so keep your fingers crossed for me. Safe (and on-time) travels to everyone, especially to the Nature team.
I feel like I’m leaving on a high note–last night, I was trading stories about the meeting with chemists and music lovers as the joint ORGN-MEDI poster session wound down and the Zydepunks kept on playing their unique blend of folk/punk music. I’d say they were good; they had more than a few chemists playing the air drums in the convention center when they thought nobody was looking. Expect a more detailed post (with pictures!) about this soon, where I do my best to pretend I write for Rolling Stone or Q Magazine.
The low point? Feeling more than a little guilty that I spent five days here and stayed exclusively in the nice, clean, touristy part of the city, pushing the gritty reality (see here and here) to the back of my mind.
Philly’s got next, but because we have a permanent blog now, I don’t have to say “see you in Philadelphia.” Awesome.
Chewing The Fat About Antibiotics, Cancer
Apr
10
10
Posted by Carmen Drahl on April 10, 2008 in 2008 Spring National Meeting, ACS Meetings
It’s Thursday, and the folks who cleared out of the New Orleans convention center early missed out on a great set of talks in the MEDI division about targeting fatty acid biosynthesis for antibacterial, anticancer, and other pharmaceutical applications.
Six Degrees Of C&EN
Apr
10
10
Posted by Lisa Jarvis on April 10, 2008 in 2008 Spring National Meeting, ACS Meetings
As was mentioned in Susan’s post, there was a bit of Hollywood in town during the spring meeting. I also happened upon several trailers full of film equipment during a stroll down Decatur street on Tuesday night and thought I’d fill readers in on a secret C&EN connection to the New Orleans movie action. C&EN Senior Correspondent Ann Thayer’s brother and sister-in-law have been down in the Big Easy for several months working on “12 Rounds,” an action flick being directed by Renny Harlin.
Ann’s sister-in-law says their crew was shooting “car running shots” through the central business district on Tuesday night, but there are now five other movies filming in town, including one that has made its home base on Decatur. If anyone stopped to ask any of the crews what they’re working on, give us a shout in the comments.
Preparations: Medical, Mystical, And Logistical
Apr
9
9
Posted by Carmen Drahl on April 9, 2008 in 2008 Spring National Meeting, ACS Meetings, Chemistry is Everywhere
Earlier today, I decided to follow Lisa’s suggestion and visit the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum. After Linda’s awesome voodoo post, I got the impression that pictures of musty hand-labeled vessels of liniment and snake oil would appeal to C&ENtral Science readers.
This is the door to the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum. It has ornate and nicely timeworn handles. It also was locked when I got there.
Nothing Like The First Time
Apr
9
9
Posted by Susan Ainsworth on April 9, 2008 in 2008 Spring National Meeting, ACS Meetings
For graduate students, attending an ACS National meeting for the first (or second time) can be a bit overwhelming.
Throughout the afternoon on Tuesday, associate editor Linda Wang and I enjoyed pouncing on unsuspecting grad students to ask them if they had experienced anything weird or surprising while attending the events here in New Orleans. I did the interviewing while Linda snapped these photos. Here are some of our favorite
responses:
Following the Women Chemist Committee’s luncheon, Penny Neisen Roufs and Maria Deslandes from Case Western Reserve University shared that they accidentally stumbled onto a movie set while walking to Kinko’s to print Roufs’s poster. (A WCC/Eli Lilly & Co. Travel Grant recipient, Roufs presented a paper and poster under the Division of Organic Chemistry.) They regret not asking about the title of the movie as they were being quickly escorted off the set, which featured period costumes from the 1920s. (Others mentioned having seen the set as it moved throughout the city this week.)
Saying It Loud And Proud
Apr
9
9
Posted by Lisa Jarvis on April 9, 2008 in 2008 Spring National Meeting, ACS Meetings, Chemistry is Everywhere
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The chemistry t-shirts were out in full effect in New Orleans. We saw everything from the old school, straight-up periodic table, to the creative (and occasionally more risqué) student association shirts, to a professor who’s spelled his name out in peptides. For those who appear in the slide show, thanks for being so accommodating when a crazy lady ran up behind you and asked to take your picture. For those walking around with shirts that they’re particularly proud of, give us a shout. Who knows, we might come looking for you. We’re going to try to update the slide show as the meeting winds down.
Top 5 For Wednesday
Apr
9
9
Posted by Lisa Jarvis on April 9, 2008 in 2008 Spring National Meeting, ACS Meetings
A few things we’re excited to see and do today…
1. Get over to the expo, ’cause it’s your last chance to pick up tchotchkes. (Morial Convention Center, 9am–1pm)
2. It’s also your last chance to catch part of the Cotton Memorial symposium. (9–12:30pm,
3. Self-healing polymers. Cool. (9–11:35am, Hilton
4. Hydrate after a night on
5. Start planning your postmeeting trip to the
Caught On Camera
Apr
9
9
Posted by Linda Wang on April 9, 2008 in 2008 Spring National Meeting
As I pack my bags and prepare to go home, I am reflecting on all the things I saw during this national meeting. Here are a few things that stick in my mind:
This artwork, displayed in the registration hall, reminded me of the never-ending possibilities of chemistry. (more…)
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