Thanks to everyone who came out to our first virtual trivia night hosted via Zoom. Our Quizmaster for the evening was Dr. Aaron Sanders who treated us to a Flying Saucer Pub-style trivia night with themed question rounds and escalating difficulty. The final question involved matching 10 Chemistry Nobel Prize winners with the years of their awards, and stumped most of the participants…but at least the names were familiar. More to brush up on for next time!

Bonus Archive Content:

The question that stumped us all...

We’re still experimenting with online events for our members, and on July 15th we ran a small social networking event via Google Meet. Seven people participated (host not shown), and the conversation ranged from bioluminescent squid, experiences being a volunteer docent at the Museum of Natural Science, and shifting careers from accounting to chemistry, to good online courses for statistics as applied to chemical problems. It was wonderful to meet everyone who participated!

Sound interesting? Keep an eye on our event calendar or subscribe to our e-newsletter to get the scoop on our next virtual networking event.

Bonus Archive Content:

The squid discussed: Hawaiian Bobtail Squid (and Vibrio fischeri)

The free statistics course discussed: Statistical Thinking for Industrial Problem Solving (SAS/JMP)

I am an ionizing solvent, used as an RNA stabilizer in gel electrophoresis, and in tissue preservation. What compound am I?

Answer: It's formamide!

The ACS Greater Houston local section held our first virtual networking event via Zoom on Wednesday, June 24^th and it was a hit! The evening kicked off with introductions and an invitation for everyone to share their favorite element – carbon and oxygen definitely had the most fans in the group. After a few brief remarks from the event host, GHS Past Chair Snigdha Chennamaneni, attendees were split between two breakout rooms to discuss a range of suggested topics including the current pandemic and personal development. It was great to meet and chat with everyone who attended and we’re looking forward to our next virtual meet-up!

Guess the Molecule - May

I am a solvent in beverages, a feedstock for producing other chemicals, and—more recently—as a transportation fuel. What compound am I?

Answer:  It's ethanol!

I am an electrophile that is often used in Diels-Alder reactions and is also an effective topical treatment for psoriasis. What compound am I?

Answer: It's dimethyl fumarate! 

We're pleased to announce the launch of a new video series hosted on the ACS Greater Houston Section YouTube Channel! "Meet Your ACS-GHS Leaders" is a series of short interviews with members of the Greater Houston local section leadership. The GHS executive board is made up of members from all areas of chemistry and we hope to provide some insight into the different career paths available to chemists in the Houston area, as well as the impact that the ACS can have on its members, both personally and professionally.

The first video in the series is an interview with Dr. Crystal A. Young, Associate Professor of Organic Chemistry in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of St. Thomas in Houston, and the 2020 ACS-GHS Chair. Watch now or check out our YouTube channel for more video content, including Curtis Swisher's seminar on "Career Management During Uncertain Times".

Did you know that ACS members have access to career planning resources like ChemIDP and Personal Career Consultants? It's one of the many benefits your membership has to offer!

Let us know what you think about this video series - we'd love to hear your feedback at acs-ghs@acs-ghs.org or in the video comments.

Answer: It's ciprofloxacin!

The ACS-GHS Younger Chemists Committee (YCC) hosted a post-Career Day Happy Hour networking event immediately following ACS Career Day Houston. YCC Chair Kevin Ramirez organized the event, which was held at State Fare on Gessner Rd., a local restaurant/bar located near the Career Day Venue. Attendees were able to wind down with good company and social conversation, and even got to network with Professor Molenium who, as always, was the life of the party. It was great to meet everyone that attended, and we look forward to seeing you at future events!