The 42nd ACS Western Regional Meeting "The Changing Face of Chemistry in the 21st Century" will take place September 23-27, 2008, at the Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. Please use the meeting website http://membership.acs.org/w/WRM2008 for abstract submission and meeting registration. The WRM08 is co-hosted by the ACS Southern Nevada Section and the Two Year College Chemistry Consortium (2YC3).
The Technical Program
An extensive technical program designed around the professional interests in the Western region is planned. Abstracts are sought for symposia on: biodefense; biofuels; cancer research; desert varnish; electrochemistry; advances in environmental and food analysis; environmental radiochemistry; geoscience; lab-on-a-chip technologies; materials science; nanoparticles and mercury as environmental contaminants; nuclear forensics; perchlorates, pharmaceuticals and personal care products as water contaminants; polymer architecture; radiochemistry in the advanced nuclear fuel cycle; renewable energy sources; organic chemistry synthesis and mechanisms; sand and sea natural products, water resource management; and special sessions on chemical forensics, women as leaders in chemistry, and a symposium on Microwave Assisted Extraction as a tribute to Werner F. Beckert. A poster session open to all areas of chemistry and biochemistry is also planned.
The 2YC3 will feature papers, posters and workshops in a two-day program (September 26-27) that details the "Challenges and Benefits of Undergraduate Research in the Two-year College" and features Keynote Speaker, Dr. David. R. Brown of Southwestern College, Chula Vista, CA. Dr. Brown is the 207 recipient of the ACS Stanley C. Israel Award for the Western Region.
A series of award symposia is planned to recognize the work of chemists in the Region who have deservingly won the following recognition: Industrial Innovations Award (with a presentation by the recipient), Arthur C. Cope Award, ACS Division of Chemical Education Award for Excellence in High School Teaching, Annual Committee Chair Certificate, Distinguished Scientist Award, ACS Regional Volunteer Award, and the Stanley C. Israel Regional Award for Advancing Diversity in the Chemical Sciences.
Undergraduate Programming
The students from the University of Nevada Las Vegas are planning a number of events for undergraduates and teachers to interact. These include an ice cream opening social, a presentation by ACS career services about the types of jobs available to those with a chemistry degree, a talk by noted researcher Dr. Clemens Heske (UNLV) about alternative and renewable energy, a poster session featuring best teaching practices from teachers and undergraduate students, an awards luncheon, and technical sessions focused on teaching chemistry at the secondary and tertiary levels. Raffle prizes and prizes for best poster presentations will be given during the luncheon.
Programs for Educators
An extensive program is planned for chemical educators (Friday and Saturday). Abstracts are sought for topics related to AP chemistry classes, forensic chemistry, environmental chemistry, and technology that can be used in the chemistry classroom; however, all education-related presentations are welcome. One or two of the technical sessions will be dedicated to sharing best lessons/activities. An educational awards luncheon for pre-college educators is planned for Saturday.
Special Events
On Tuesday evening, September 23, WRM 2008 welcomes attendees with an opening reception to meet and greet an ensemble of ACS Presidents. An early breakfast at the Atomic Testing Museum is scheduled for Wednesday, September 24, with special speaker Nevada State Senator and UNLV Professor, Dr. Dina Titus, an expert in atomic policy and waste issues and author of Bombs in the Backyard. After breakfast "experience" an atomic explosion, view replicas of the Control Point where each countdown was conducted prior to a nuclear detonation, take an interactive walk through the history of nuclear testing, and browse through the bookstore and gift shop. A reception for the formal opening of the vendor exposition will occur later that day at the Riviera Convention Center.
Mark your calendar for Thursday, September 25, to attend the complimentary breakfast hosted by your ACS District Director, and members of governance. ACS Board members welcome this opportunity to meet informally with ACS members to hear their ideas, concerns, and suggestions for a better Society. The Career Services workshops and resumé reviews will also take place on Thursday. Other important Thursday events include a Women Chemists Committee luncheon with speaker Dr. Kathleen Havelka of Lubrizol Corporation, and an Awards Banquet with a guest speaker in the evening at the Top of the Riviera providing a spectacular view of the Las Vegas Strip.
Two new ACS Leadership Development System Courses, "Leading Change" and "Innovation" are scheduled for Friday, September 26. WRM 2008 is one of the first to offer this valuable training, designed to provide ACS location section volunteers an opportunity to hone their skills and obtain valuable leadership training that will serve them professionally as well as in their service with ACS.
On Friday, September 26, there will be an ice cream social to open the Education Events. The 2YC3 will hold its traditional Friday night Banquet at the Top of the Riviera featuring as speaker the 2006 recipient of the ACS Stanley C. Israel Award for the Western Region, Dr. Carlos G. Gutierrez.
Exposition
An exposition will open with a reception on Wednesday, September 24th and continue through the 26th. Exhibit space is still available. Please contact John Gerlach at cheloniajg@aol.com or (702) 269-6780.
Lodging
WRM 2008 has arranged for special meeting rates of $129.00 per night for a regular single or double room, or $175.00 for petite suites, which will be in effect three days before and after the meeting for those who might want to have a long weekend. Check our website or call the Riviera at 1-800-634-6753. Be sure to identify yourself as an ACS attendee to get the discounted rate.
Contact James Worman at
james.worman@unlv.edu
for sponsorship opportunities All other inquiries may be directed
to the meeting General Co-Chairs, David Emerson at
emerson@unlv.nevada.edu
and Jeanette Van Emon at vanemon.jeanette@epa.gov
for assistance.