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September Meeting
Doing Chemistry at the Art/Archaeology Interface
Sr. Mary Virginia Orna
Chemical Heritage Foundation
Date: Tuesday, September 21, 1999
Time: 6:30 -8:00 arrive & social
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[GA ACS home page]
CHAIR'S MESSAGE*
Upcoming Section Elections and By-Law Amendments
*I have asked Lucian Lucia, who is in charge of running
this year's election for next year's candidates, to write this
month's message on the candidates and bylaws changes. -- Rigoberto
Hernandez
It is my distinct pleasure to announce both the upcoming 1999
Georgia Local Section ACS Elections and amendments in our by-laws.
These elections come at a pivotal time in the history of our chapter
and the ACS. We are among the most active sections in the country
and are platforming our future growth for the next century in
the following elections. I cannot stress enough the importance
of getting involved, not only in this election, but also in the
membership activities available to all our members. Not only are
local and state activities underway, but the section is actively
communicating with our federal representatives to apprise them
of our charter and the importance of chemists in our American
society. We were able to meet with Representative Isakson on August
19 and will report on our reflections of that meeting in a future
edition of the FilterPress.
Georgia Local Section ACS By-Law Amendments Update.
The GA Section Bylaws have been updated for the first time since
1984. Numerous changes have been made to bring them into compliance
with current ACS Society guidelines. The election procedures have
been changed to what we have been most recently using. The changes
have been discussed with Paula Berard at ACS national headquarters.
Special "thanks" to the members of the GA Section Executive
Committee for many very useful comments. After approval by the
full Executive Committee on August 18, 1999, the revised Bylaws
will be sent to all GA Section members for an approval/disapproval
vote near the end of September. If approved, the revised Bylaws
will be sent to the Society Committee on Constitution and Bylaws
and later to the ACS Council for approval and acceptance. If there
are any questions, members can contact Bill McGonigal (head of
this committee) at billmcgoni@aol.com or 770-888-3698.
Candidate Biographies. Please note that Emelita Breyer
was reinstated at our August Board Meeting to the original two-year
member-at-large term for which she was elected. Otherwise, the
future leadership of our local section is represented by the following
slate of candidates:
Chair-Elect: Katherine Seley, Georgia Tech
Treasurer: Angus Wilkinson, Georgia Tech Councilor (1) & Alternate
Councilor (2):
David Collard, Georgia Tech
Lissa Dulaney, UCB Chemicals
Tom Netzel, Georgia State
Member-At-Large: Joyce Scanlon, Amoco
Nominations
In the following sections, I wanted to provide a brief overview
for our members of the election process for which they too can
participate. Either a member of the Executive Committee can nominate
a candidate (any ACS member) or an ACS member can volunteer to
run for an office that will be vacated next year.
Elections
The names of the candidates are published in this issue of
The Filter Press (September) and members' ballots are subsequently
mailed out by the end of this month. Members may vote for whomever
is listed or choose to include an alternate candidate. For a ballot
to be official, it must be anonymously sealed in an unmarked envelope
that is place in an envelope bearing the voter's signature. I
will have the distinct privilege and responsibility for accepting
and counting the ballots. The election is closed by November 1
and the ballots are counted. In case of a tie, the Executive Committee
shall determine the winner by secret ballot. I will report the
results of the balloting at the next meeting and issue of The
Filter Press. The Chair-Elect is elected annually for a one-year
term and shall serve thereafter as Chair for an additional one
year. Upon expiry of the Chair term, he or she will serve as Past-Chair
for one last year. The Secretary shall be elected every even year
for a term of two years, and the Treasurer shall be elected every
odd year for two years. The two Members-at-Large shall be elected
one each year for a two-year term. Councilors and Alternate Councilors
will be elected for a term of three years. In case of any vacancies,
the Executive Committee shall decide whether to appoint a successor,
hold a special election, or wait until the next regular election.
I include the following list of abbreviated candidate biographies
for your perusal:
Chair-Elect: Katherine Seley, Georgia Tech
Katherine Seley, Georgia Tech: Professor Katherine Seley received
her B.A. in Chemistry from the University of South Florida in
1992 and her Ph.D. in Medicinal/Organic Chemistry from Auburn
University in 1996 under the direction of Dean Stewart W. Schneller.
Her graduate work focused on the design and synthesis of carbocyclic
nucleosides as medicinal agents in the areas of anti-trypanosomal
and antiviral drugs. She received the American Association of
University Women Scholarship, the Hugh Culverhouse Award, the
Outstanding Graduate Student Award from the University of South
Florida, as well as the Sigma Xi Outstanding Dissertation Award
and the Carolyn Taylor Carr Award from Auburn University. Dr.
Seley's postdoctoral training continued at Auburn, where the focus
of her efforts concentrated on the design and synthesis of anti-hepatitis
B agents. She was also chosen as an Outstanding Faculty member
by the Cardinal Key Honor Society at Auburn University in 1998.
Dr. Seley joined the faculty at Georgia Tech in the summer of
1998, and was awarded an Emory/Georgia Tech Biomedical Technology
Collaborative Research Grant. Dr. Seley's research interests at
Georgia Tech have continued in the area of the design and synthesis
of carbocyclic and carbohydrate-based nucleosides, nucleotides
and oligonucleotides, with sights set on developing more effective
antiviral, anti-parasitic and antitumor agents.
Treasurer: Angus Wilkinson, Georgia Tech
Angus Wilkinson, Georgia Tech.: Dr. Wilkinson obtained his
bachelors degree in chemistry from Oxford University in 1988.
He was a graduate student with Dr. A. K. Cheetham in the Department
of Chemical Crystallography/Inorganic Chemistry at Oxford from
1988 until December 1991. His graduate work focused on the application
of synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction to problems in solid-state
chemistry. For the last two years of his graduate studies he held
a senior Scholarship from Christ Church, Oxford. From October
1991 until June 1993, Dr. Wilkinson was a Junior Research Fellow
with Christ Church, Oxford. However, most of this period was spent
on leave at the Materials Research Laboratory, University of California
Santa Barbara. His work in Santa Barbara focused on the processing
and structure of oxide ferroelectric materials. He joined the
faculty at the Georgia Institute of Technology in October 1993
where he is currently an associate professor. His scientific interests
currently include ferroelectric materials, microporous solids,
negative thermal expansion ceramics and the development of both
X-ray and neutron diffraction techniques. He has been the treasurer
of the GA Local Section ACS since January 1996.
Councilor (1) & Alternate Councilor (2):
David Collard, Georgia Tech
Lissa Dulaney, UCB Chemicals
Tom Netzel, Georgia State
David Collard, Georgia Tech: David Collard is an Associate
Professor in the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Georgia
Institute of Technology. Originally from England, he obtained
his BSc from the University of East Anglia, before moving to the
U.S. His PhD at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst was followed
by a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Texas at Austin.
He joined the faculty of Georgia Tech in 1991 and set up a research
program in polymer chemistry (modification of polyester, and electronically
conductive polymers). Dr. Collard has received a Camille and Henry
Dreyfus Foundation New Faculty Award, Lilly Foundation Fellowship,
the Amoco Georgia Tech Junior Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award,
Research Corporation's Cottrell Fellowship, an NSF-CAREER award
and Georgia Tech's Roane Beard Outstanding Teacher Award. He is
a member of Georgia Tech's Polymer Education and Research Center.
previously served as Councillor and on the New Member Welcoming
Committee. He is currently the Associate Chair of the National
ACS Polymer Education Committee (POLYED), and serves on the ACS's
Society Committee on Education.
Lissa Dulaney, UCB Chemicals: Dr. Margaret A. "Lissa"
Dulany. Born 7/25/55 Annapolis, MD.; Ph.D. Emory University, 1986,
organic chemistry; BA, University of Virginia, 1977 (Chemistry
and Religious Studies Majors) UCB Chemical Corporation, 1998 -
present. Manager of Technical Service &
Applications, 1998 to present; staff of 15. Technical Service
Manager, 1998, staff of 11. Chemical Division of Georgia-Pacific
Corporation, 1986-1998. Group Leader, Industrial Resins, 1996-1998,
staff of 10; Group Leader, Paper Chemicals, 1992-1996; staff of
6; Senior Development Chemist, Paper Chemicals, 1989-1992, Development
Chemist, Paper Chemicals, 1986-1988. In 1986, one of 6 founding
members of the GA section Women Chemists Discussion Group, and
served as officer/board member for 6 years. Chair-elect, Chair
and Past-Chair of the ACS Georgia Section, 1989-1991. Member of
National ACS Women Chemists Committee, 1990 to present; Vice-Chair
of ACS WCC, 1997 to present. Alternate Councilor, GA Section ACS,
1994-1996; Liaison to Society Committee on Education for WCC,
1995-1997. Councilor, GA Section ACS, 1997-1999. Member of National
ACS Divisional Activities Committee, 1998 to present. ACS Mentoring
Workshop, 1998. Member of Steering Committee of Chemistry in the
21st Century Presidential Program for the National ACS meeting
in San Francisco in Spring, 2000. Member and Chair of Herty Selection
Committee. Presented Service Award for outstanding service to
the GA Section of the ACS, 1999. I have served on the Chemistry
Advisory Board for Kennesaw State University since the early 90's,
and will be on the new Science Advisory Board at Emory University
beginning this year.
Tom Netzel, Georgia State Research Background: Research subjects
have included benzene crystals, reaction center proteins, chemically
modified DNA duplexes, inorganic complexes, and organometallic
catalysts. Much of this work required developing new picosecond
spectroscopic instrumentation and measurement techniques to investigate
light-driven chemical reactions. Current research focuses on the
synthesis and physical characterization of covalently modified
DNA and seeks to understand the mechanisms of charge migration
through DNA. This research is assisted by quantum mechanical computations
of the electronic properties of covalently modifed DNA. Sensor
applications of this work are also being pursued. Professional
Service Activities: Chair-elect, Chair, and Past-Chair of the
ACS Georgia Section, 1997-1999. Service Award presented by the
ACS Georgia Section for Outstanding Service as an Officer and
Founder of the Committee on Legislative and Government Relations,
May 18, 1999. Georgia State University (GSU) Senate, 1999-2001.
Executive Committee of the Department of Chemistry, GSU, 1997-2000.
Research Initiation Grant Review Panel for GSU. Certificate of
Appreciation, GSU Student Government Handicapped Services Committee.
Organizing Committee for the 1997 Inter-American Photochemical
Society Meeting. Symposium Organizer for the 1996 National Meeting
of the American Society for Photobiology. Site-visit Panel for
DOE at New York University. President of the Wildcliff Homeowners'
Association, Atlanta, GA. Advisory Committee for the Center for
Fast Kinetics Research at the University of Texas at Austin.
Member-At-Large (1 two-year term): Joyce Scanlon, Amoco
Joyce Scanlon, Amoco: BS Chemistry - U. of Florida, Gainesville
FL; MS Chemistry - the Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta
GA; R&D Chemist - ZEP Manufacturing, Atlanta, GA 1983-1987; R&D Chemist
- Amoco Fabrics &
Fibers BU- a part of the BPAmoco Group, Austell, GA 1987 - present;
GA Section ACS treasurer 1985 - 1989; SERMACS co-treasurer 1988;
Herty Award Committee 1992; National Chemistry Week display & staffing
1993; Member at large 1995 - present.
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[GA ACS home page]
Key Congressional Targets
By Thomas L. Netzel, Chair GA COLGA
During August I had the pleasure of accompanying Lucian Lucia
and Michael Reed, respectively, on visits to the offices of Representatives
Johnny Isakson (GA 6th) and Cynthia McKinney (GA 4th). Rig Hernadez
is in the process of arranging meetings with Senators Coverdell
and Cleland and with Representative John Lewis (GA 5th). However,
we do not have any members in our section working on setting up
meetings with the following four, key Representatives.
Jack Kingston (GA 1st) Appropriations Committee
Saxby Chambliss (GA 8th) Budget, Armed Services, and Agriculture Committees
Nathan Deal (GA 9th) Education & the Workforce and Commerce Committees
Charles Norwood (GA 10th) Education & the Workforce and Commerce Committees
The Committee on Legislative and Governmental Affairs (COLGA)
of the ACS GA Section is trying to build bridges between our section's
1950 members and federal and state elected officials. Our members
have an astonishing amount of scientific and technical expertise,
and our elected officials are frequently in need of responsible
technical analyses as partial input for legislation that they
are considering. For instance Rep. McKinney is currently drafting
legislation dealing with emission control regulations directed
at improving our air quality. Controls cost money and some are
more effective than others. In addition emission clean-up and
prevention technologies are evolving. It will be important to
have realistic assessments of these factors when new air quality
legislation is drafted, debated, and passed.
The GA COLGA is also interested in making known the views and
needs of the ACS members to our governmental representatives.
In this regard the national ACS has developed position papers
on a variety of areas including pension reform, support of basic
research, and improved education from K-16. In today's federal
budget climate, scientists and engineers are the logical (and
sometimes the only) advocates for these issues. If we don't speak
up for their importance, they likely will take a back seat to
issues with very vocal advocates.
For instance, it can be argued that we are today the economic
beneficiaries of federal investments in education and R&D made
in the 60's. Yet today's federal investment in civilian R&D has
dropped to only 1/3 of its value in 1965 as a fraction of the
federal budget. Today's decreased civilian R&D
investment will likely mean a lower standard of living and less
job opportunities in the second quarter of the next century. Even
if the large federal investment in health-related research continues
to pay-off, will the workers and retirees of the next century
be able to afford to buy the fruits of this investment? It is
important to keep budget priorities in balance. Jobs, technology,
health, education, the environment, and defense are all important.
However, we are likely to achieve the balanced and sustained federal
investment across all of these sectors only if scientists and
engineers become citizen-scientists and citizen-engineers by actively
dialoging with their governmental representatives.
If you live in one of the above key districts and can help
us contact your House representative, or if you would just like
to work with the GA COLGA please contact me by phone (404-651-3129)
or email tnetzel@gsu.edu.
Also, Chad Sines has prepared a treasure of a GA COLGA website
at chemistry.Gsu.EDU/ACS/colga.html<
/a> to make it easy for us to contact our federal representatives.
Please check it out.
Impressions From A First Congressional Visit
By Lucian A. Lucia
Many of us tend to ignore the ordinary mechanisms at play in
daily living. We live a rhythmical life accentuated by common
themes, from the first "Good morning" of the workday,
to the "See you tomorrow," we usually hear leaving the
office. However, place yourself for a moment in a new setting,
where your standard "operating principles" are suspended
because it is no longer your "turf." I initially felt
such feelings during a visit to my representativeís district
office. Subsequent events soon dispelled them as you will see.
Tom Netzel, a good friend of mine whom Iíve known since
my graduate school days, and I embarked on the Georgia ACS version
of "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington." However, my excursion
was more an enlightening and inspirational view of governmental
actions and function than one dealing with pundits, propaganda,
and soapbox politics. Tom and I had a memorable time that left
us with some profound impressions. One of the purposes of our
visit was to encourage an increase federal support for R &
D funding, especially in the state of Georgia. Although colleges,
universities, and businesses in Georgia invest strongly in R&D
($2.1 billion in 1996), we remain low among all states in terms
of federal support ($495 million in 1996).
Tom and I drove to Johnny Isaksonís office in Sandy
Springs during the morning of August 19, 1999. An affable, elderly
gentleman, who was staffing the phones and providing general volunteer
work for Isakson, greeted us warmly as we entered. He offered
us a coke and peanuts, soon another office worker inquired if
we would like coffee. These and other doses of southern hospitality
quickly settled my nervousness. I was rehearsing some discussion
points in my head when the Congressman strolled up to our seats
promptly at 11:30 and ushered us into a conference room. Isakson
was very polite and plain-spoken. For the first few minutes, he
listened as we introduced ourselves, the ACS, and our purpose
for the visit. I noticed how tired Isakson appeared, and with
good reason! He later had told us that he had left Florida on
a 5 a.m. flight (waking up at 3 a.m. that morning) to reach Atlanta
in time for an 8 a.m. speech. We remarked that the work of a House
Representative appeared to be as intensive as the work scientists
do to justify governmental grants! My pre-meeting apprehensions
were allayed by his willingness to listen and discuss the issues
we raised concerning federal support as the lifeblood of R&D in
the U.S. today.
I was amazed at his grasp of the fruits of federal funding,
especially at his knowledge of various commercial developments
that came from military R&D (crystal displays, TANG, etc.). He
emphasized that scientists need to advocate consistently and persistently
their concerns to the public and to government officials. NIH,
by way of example, succeeds well in generating major support for
medical research by emphasizing particular disease missions and
specific health needs. He convinced Tom and me that to articulate
successfully a case for support of basic research scientists should
speak a language of purposes (or perhaps missions) for federally
funded research. Such a language will allow scientists to engage
in the national dialogue on setting priorities for our limited
federal revenues. In contrast, it is unrealistic expect to sway
congressional votes by vague appeals to support basic research
because it may someday do something useful for someone.
He assured us he was staunchly in support of R & D and that
he was an ally in this cause. However, he cautioned us that we
must develop strong arguments concerning priority rankings for
possible federal appropriations. His matter-of-fact tone was reassuring,
but I wanted him to crack a joke occasionally because our funding
discuss was quite sober. Attempts at humor, however, were short-lived
since we knew implicitly that he was on a timetable. Nevertheless
he generously gave us 25 minutes of his time that day (10 more
than allotted)! This "Mr. Smith" had a pleasant "first
congressional visit" experience, which was made even more
comfortable by Isaksonís parting statement, " Consider
this office your home, and feel welcome to visit me and it in
the future."
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Maintained by Alan Gabrielli <agabriel@spsu.edu>
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