Author: Payam

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Local Section Student Meeting and Lecture on 19th Century Photography

You are cordially to join our local students at Westmont College on Saturday April 18th for the award ceremony for US National Chemistry Olympiad Participants. The event is organized by the Westmont College Chemistry Club. Luther Gerlach, local artist and conservator of historical methods of photography, will deliver a lecture on the evolution of 19th century photography as part of the proceedings. Please come to encourage our local high school students and to connect with local educators.

 Click here to download the event flyer.

Date: Saturday, April 18, 2015
Time: Noon
Place: Winter Hall, Westmont College.
Cost: Free

Directions from the South

Take 101 north and exit at Olive Mill Road. Turn right onto Olive Mill and then left onto Hot Springs Road. Turn right onto Sycamore Canyon Road and then right at Cold Spring Road. You may use the lower entrance on Cold Spring Road or continue up Cold Spring Road, turn left on La Paz Road and drive through Westmont’s main entrance.

Directions from the North

Take 101 south and exit at #94B (Coast Village Road Exit – left exit). Turn left onto East Cabrillo Road, go through the roundabout and continue north on Hot Springs Road. Turn left onto Sycamore Canyon Road and right onto Cold Spring Road. You may use the lower entrance on Cold Spring Road or continue up Cold Spring Road, turn left on La Paz Road and drive through Westmont’s main entrance.

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2015 PI DAY PRESENTATION ON SCIENCE AND POLICY

Money is policy, or how new research initiatives are born

Speaker: Katy Christiansen, Ph.D.

Join us on Saturday, March 14 (Pi Day) for our annual presentation on science policy. Dr. Katy Christiansen, our speaker, is a strategic analyst at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, where she works on strategic planning and implementation for the LBNL Biosciences Area, which consists of three and a half scientific divisions and over 800 staff.  Katy will discuss her career transition from research scientist to AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellow at the Department of Energy in the Bioenergy Technologies Office, and then to the LBNL. She will discuss why the Federal government funds research initiatives, what happens when Congress appropriates funds to agencies, and how policy is implemented at the ground level.  Alternative career paths such as Katy’s provide opportunities for scientists to use their unique combination of skills and expertise to develop funding opportunities for new research initiatives, to implement programs and to advance research projects.

Click here to download the event flier. Date: Saturday, March 14, 2014 Time: 7-9 PM Place: Building 180, Room 114,Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (maps & directions) Cost: Free A complimentary assortment of pies will be served in observance of pi day.

RSVP is requested, but not required.

Abstract

Have you ever asked, “Why did the Federal government fund this research?” Do you wonder what happens to scientists who leave traditional research careers? Is life in Washington, DC as glamorous as it seems? Science policy has the answers to these questions and more! Dr. Christiansen will talk about her transition from the bench to the Department of Energy and how scientists in “alternative” careers can contribute to the U.S. research enterprise. She will also provide insights into what happens once Congress appropriates funds to agencies and how policy is implemented at the ground level. Finally, she will discuss how she is using this experience to help scientists build programs at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, and how others can do the same.

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Lecture on Pediatric AIDS at CSUCI

Optimizing Potency for Nevirapine: The Drug that Saved Children from AIDS

Please join us on Saturday February 28, 2014, at the California State Channel Islands Boating Center for a lecture on the treatment of pediatric AIDS. A pasta buffet dinner will be served before the lecture. Please use the form at the bottom of this page to make your reservation. Seating is limited. Feel free to arrive early and to explore Channel Islands Harbor or to walk along the beautiful beaches nearby.

Dr. Rebecca Anderson will present the scientific and medical breakthroughs that were responsible for conquering pediatric AIDS, as well as some of the technical and feasibility issues that investigators faced while implementing HIV prevention programs.  Pharmaceutical properties linked to the protective effect of antiviral HIV drugs, and modifications of drugs to optimize antiviral potency will be discussed.  Copies of Dr. Anderson’s books will be available for purchase.

Dr. Rebecca Anderson is a freelance medical writer and the author of two books, including Nevirapine and the Quest to End Pediatric AIDS. Prior to her writing career, Dr. Anderson managed research and development projects for twenty five years in the pharmaceutical/biotech industry. She holds a Ph.D. in Pharmacology from Georgetown University.

Time: February 28, 2014 Dinner at
Date: Dinner at 6:30 PM followed by Dr. Anderson’s presentation
Place: CSU Channel Islands Boating Center
3880 Harbor Blvd., Oxnard, CA 93035 (Google Map)
Cost: $15 regular members, $5 Students
Please make your reservation by 10 AM Wednesday, February 25, 2015.

Registration for this event is now closed. Please click on the “contact” link above to inquire. We may be able to accommodate you.

Driving from north of Oxnard, CA

  • Merge onto US-101 S. to Los Angeles
  • Take the exit toward Victoria Ave./ Channel Islands Harbor 0.2 mi.
  • Turn left at Valentine Rd. 0.1 mi.
  • Turn right at S. Victoria Ave. 5.4 mi.
  • Turn right at W. Channel Islands Blvd. 0.5 mi.
  • Turn left to stay on W. Channel Islands Blvd. 417 ft.
  • Slight left at Harbor Blvd. 0.5 mi.
  • Turn left into the Channel Islands Boating Center Parking Lot
  • If you have passed the Whale’s tail restaurant you have gone past our location.

 Driving from south of Oxnard, CA

  • Merge onto US-101 N toward Ventura
  • Take the Victoria Ave. exit toward Channel Island Harbor 0.2 mi.
  • Turn left at S. Victoria Ave. 5.5 mi.
  • Turn right at W. Channel Islands Blvd. 0.5 mi.
  • Turn left to stay on W. Channel Islands Blvd. 417 ft.
  • Slight left at Harbor Blvd. 0.5 mi.
  • Turn left into the Channel Islands Boating Center Parking Lot
  • If you have passed the Whale’s tail restaurant you have gone past our location.
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2014 Wine Tasting: Jalama Wines

Amazingly, 2014 is nearly over, and it is time once again for our fall wine tasting event. Join us for a relaxing afternoon of wine tasting at Jalama Wines, a boutique winery in the wine “ghetto” of Lompoc. Jalama’s prize winning wines will be paired with the fabulous cooking of section officers, all chemists, of course. Network with other members of the section, speak to your section officers and get acquainted with the up and coming wine makers of Lompoc. Continue reading “2014 Wine Tasting: Jalama Wines”

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CALPACS 2014 Fall Luncheon

You are cordially invited to attend the California Los Padres Section of the American Chemical Society’s Fall Luncheon on Saturday, September 27, 2014.  We will be honoring local section members who have been members of the ACS for over 50 years, and we will have the pleasure of learning about on-demand drug delivery from Professor Javier Read de Alaniz of UCSB’s chemistry department.

Date: Saturday, September 27, 2014
Time: 11:45 AM to 2:30 PM
Place: Firestone Walker Tap Room
620 McMurray Road
Buellton, CA 93427 (805) 686-1557 (Google Map)
This event is now closed for registration. Please use the contact link above to inquire.

Lunch will be served at approximately 12:20, and lecture at approximately 12:45. Firestone Walker beers will be available to purchase. Please use the form at the bottom of this page to reserve your place. We look forward to your company.

Abstract: The discovery and development of novel transformations for the synthesis of molecular building blocks is a major focus of my research group.  Our studies seek to accelerate drug discovery and material synthesis by developing practical and efficient methods, while incorporating renewable resources and environmentally benign protocols. We have also recently become involved in the design and synthesis of a novel photochromic material that enable the use of visible light to control the properties of micelles, polymer surfaces and small organic molecules.  A main object of this research is in the areas of drug delivery and using visible light to control catalytic transformations.

Prof. Javier Read de Alaniz received his B.S. degree from Fort Lewis College in 1999 where he conducted undergraduate research under the direction of Professor William R. Bartlett. He obtained his Ph.D. under the supervision of Professor Tomislav Rovis at Colorado State University in 2006 with a research focus on asymmetric catalysis. Javier then moved to California, where he worked in the area of total synthesis with Professor Larry E. Overman at the University of California, Irvine. Since 2009, he has been an Assistant Professor in the department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at UC-Santa Barbara.

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2014 Chemistry Olympiad and Lecture on Film Photography

Please join us on April 26, 2014, to lend support to all local section chemistry students who will be completing the 2014 American Chemical Society Chemistry Olympiad. The Olympiad is a  three part, 4.5-hour exam consisting of three parts that will test students on their knowledge of general chemistry, theoretical concepts, analytical problem solving skills and laboratory skills. Students who perform exceptionally well in this weeks-long test of their chemistry knowledge and chemistry skills will move on to the national and, eventually, the international chemistry Olympiads.

A light lunch will be served at noon, and it will be followed by a lecture by CalPoly chemistry Professor and CALPACS Immediate Past Chair Nanine Van Draanen on the many roles of the natural product  alginic acid.

Date: Saturday, April 26, 2014 Time: Lunch at noon, Lecture at 12:30 Place: Winter Hall, Westmont College (Campus Map, Google map) Cost: Free

Your reservation is kindly requested from the form below.

Amazing Alginate Abstract:  In this hands-on introduction to molecular gastronomy, the focus will be on sodium alginate.  The chemistry of alginic acid and its application to fibers, medicine, and food will be presented.  Attendees will have the opportunity to make (and eat!) alginate “caviar.”

Dr. Nanine Van Draanen is Professor and Chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.  Before joining the faculty at Cal Poly in 1996, she worked in research and development in the pharmaceutical industry in North Carolina.  She earned her Ph.D. at Berkeley in organic chemistry and her bachelor’s degree at California Polytechnic Institute, San Luis Obispo.

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Second Pi Day Talk on Science and Policy

Please join us on Friday March 14, 2014, (pi day) for the second installment of lectures on science in the public sphere. Our speaker is Dr. Amber Mace, deputy director of the California Council on Science and Technology and policy fellow with the UC Davis Policy Institute for Energy, Environment and the Economy. Dr. Mace’s talk will frame some of the factors that lead to a disconnect between scientists and decision-makers and provide a high-level overview of science-based decision-making in California with a focus on climate change and sea level rise. It will also highlight some opportunities for students who are considering careers beyond academia and would like to develop relevant skills and experience to help continue to break down the barriers between science and policy. (Event announcement as pdf file.)

Date: Friday, March 14, 2014
Time: 7-9 PM
Place:  Building 180, Room 101, CalPoly San Luis Obispo
Cost: Free.
Please RSVP through the form below.
A complimentary assortment of pies will be served in observance of pi day.

An interactive map is also available from the CalPoly web site.