The emergence of big data and machine learning has enabled new avenues for scientific discovery and innovation in all industries. However, protecting innovations that stem from computer-based learning and complex algorithms face increased scrutiny at patent offices around the world. In our May seminar, Dr. Valerie Moore talked about how patenting can work to protect inventions in these areas, and the challenges in framing inventions so that they meet legal patentability requirements where the inventors want patent protection. This seminar was an excellent introduction to the complexities of the global patent landscape and a the contributions that a chemist can make as a patent agent.

Valerie Moore is a registered patent agent with Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP in Houston, and a past Chair of the ACS-GHS. She received her Ph.D. in chemistry, with a physical-organic chemistry and nanotechnology focus, and M.A. in chemistry from Rice University. Her experience is in the areas of nanotechnology, materials engineering, supramolecular science, analytical methods, surface science, chemistry and biotechnology.

The Younger Chemists Committee of the ACS-GHS hosted a happy hour at Spring Street Beer and Wine Garden on Friday, May 10th. Attendees braved a rainy Friday to celebrate the end of the semester  in good company, and with some fun arts and crafts activities!  Quilting squares and drawing supplies were on hand for participants to contribute to the GHS's quilt-making efforts for the International Year of the Periodic Table.

The ACS-GHS teamed up under sunny skies on May 5th in support the Texas Gulf Coast Chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America by participating in the 2019 Houston Walk to End Lupus Now. Three members of team ACS-GHS ran in the chip-timed 5k race, and three participated in the 5k walk. Proceeds from this event support programs such as education and outreach, direct services, research and overall support of the lupus community in the Texas Gulf Coast Region.

Team Members: Catherine Faler, Bo Braddock, Kevin Ramirez, Cotton Starr, Dawn Friesen, and Snigdha Chennamaneni

The ACS National Meeting was held in Orlando, FL from March 31 - April 4, 2019 and GHS was well represented. The following are a few highlights of interest:

The complete highlights of the ACS Board of Directors meeting and Council Meeting can be found here.

The Greater Houston Section of the American Chemical Society is pleased to announce the winners of the local section Illustrated Poem Contest for Chemists Celebrate Earth Week. The theme this year was The Chemistry of Paper, and there were several submissions at the middle and high school level. The winner of the middle school contest was Chloe Wilson, who is in the seventh grade and the winner of the high school contest was Zoe Barinaga, who is a senior; both girls attend Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart. Their poems have been forwarded to the American Chemical Society for judging in the National Contest. Congratulations to both girls for their outstanding work.

The ACS-GHS kicked off Earth Week early this year by taking part in Earth Day celebrations at Discovery Green on April 14th. GHS Director Kiresha Johnson and volunteers from Texas Southern University shared hands-on chemistry activities including making fake snow and chromatography butterflies with the public. This was the second year that the ACS-GHS participated in the Discovery Green Earth Day event.

Clockwise from top left: A full house at the MFAH; Dr. David Bomford chats with GHS member Dave Singleton at the post-lecture reception; Dr. Bomford receives a chromium element tile from GHS Chair Elect Dr. Crystal Young; Dr. Mamie Moy from the GHS Board thanks Margaret Mimms from the MFAH for organizing the Van Gogh lecture.

"Paintings fade like flowers." Dr. David Bomford's lecture on the materials and techniques Van Gogh used in his art was delivered to a full lecture hall at the MFAH on March 23rd. Van Gogh chose his materials knowing that certain pigments would fade over time, but Dr. Bomford showed how conservation science is providing insight into what Van Gogh's paintings looked like in their prime, and how analytical techniques like spectroscopy are being used to shed new light on Van Gogh's working methods. The lecture was followed by a small reception in the Museum Cafe.

The ACS-GHS is grateful for the opportunity to share Dr. Bomford's experiences with our members and the community, and wishes him well as he retires from the MFAH at the end of March. Special thanks to Margaret Mimms at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, for partnering with the ACS-GHS and organizing this special lecture and reception.

HBU celebrates the periodic table with the ACS Program in a Box

One-hundred and fifty years ago, Dmitri Mendeleev first presented his periodic system to the Russian Chemical Society, forever shaping the way we look at the elements. His system, which organized the elements based on atomic weight, valence, and measurable properties, laid the foundation for today’s Periodic Table. In honor of this, The United Nations has declared 2019 to be the International Year of the Periodic Table.

Hundreds of groups from around the U.S. and the globe celebrated of one of chemistry’s greatest achievements, including local groups at the University of St. Thomas and Houston Baptist University (shown above).

"It's a lot of work to make a new product, and if you can do anything to make that faster it's a great opportunity for companies to make money." - Dr. Paige Marie Morse, Feb 25, 2019.

Find out how big data can improve the efficiency of product development and is changing the chemicals industry in our February seminar!