NESACS Board of Directors Meeting
University of Massachusetts (Boston)
Campus Center
April 12th , 2007
Members in Attendance: J. Billo, M. Chen, M. Chorghade, C. Costello, M. Filosa,
T. Frigo, M. Hearn, M. Hoffman, D. Lewis, M. Schwartz, P. Mabrouk, D. Phillips,
J. Piper, D. Rickter, R. Scannell, L. Shao, M. Singer, M. Strem, R. Tanner, and V.
Walworth.
The meeting was called to order at 4:35 PM with M. Chorghade in the Chair.
The May 2007 meeting minutes were approved with minor typographical
corrections.
Chair: M. Chorghade (written and oral)
 Jin Ji has resigned as chair of the Speakers Bureau. She is willing to remain
in the committee.
 The inaugural “Advances in Chemical Sciences Symposium” conference held
at the Royal Sonesta Hotel, Cambridge, MA on March 30, 2007 was a
spectacular success. Under the auspices of these conferences, eminent
scientists from the strategic triad of government and industry and academia
delivered plenary lectures. The conference brought together 200+ scientists,
19 vendors and 9 corporate sponsors for a scholarly event focusing on
medicinal chemistry, organic synthesis and methodology. This year’s plenary
lecturers included Robert Grubbs (Caltech), Eric Jacobsen (Harvard), Steven
Ley (Cambridge), Tomi Sawyer (Pfizer Research Technology Center), William
Greenlee (Schering Plough), and Mark Murcko (Vertex) as plenary lecturers.
The topical focus areas covered – medicinal chemistry, pharmaceutical and
organic synthesis were areas where the chemical enterprise in our area has a
well deserved reputation for excellence.
 The response from pharmaceutical companies in the area was extremely
enthusiastic. A sell out symposium crowd was treated to some exhilarating
science from some of the finest practitioners of the discipline. A vendor show
was well attended and appreciated. The symposium was co- sponsored by
the US (East Coast) Section of the RSC, and IUPAC. Represented on the
organizing committee were scientists from many of the Pharma companies in
our area. We have thus built a nucleus for the future.
 Planning for ACS collaboration with the Indian Chemical Society and the
hosting of ACS Prospectives conferences in India are in full swing
 The symposium honoring Ted and Arlene Light has now been organized for
the Tuesday of the Boston meeting. The confirmed speakers are 1) Elaine
Diggs-ACS HQ 2) John Sophos -ACS HQ 3) Dan Eustace -NESACS. 4) Jim
Burke -former ACS Board Chair. I will inaugurate the symposium with a few
words and pass the floor to Elaine and John to trace the history of career
services and Ted and Arlene's involvement in it. Dan Eustace, Jim Burke and
I will speak. Ray O’Donnell has suggested that his words of tribute to Ted
and Arlene come during the award function
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NESACS Board of Directors Meeting
University of Massachusetts (Boston)
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April 12th , 2007
 We were unfortunately not successful in securing a commitment of the ACSIAC to combine the ACS reception with our German Exchange reception.
 I attended the ACS meeting in Chicago and had the singular pleasure of
presenting the Norris award to a most distinguished recipient-Professor Ben
Feringa
 Expressed condolences to Mary Burgess on the passing of her brother.
Flowers have been sent on behalf of the section.
Chair-Elect: M. Schwartz
 No Report
Secretary: M. Singer
 No Report
Treasurer: J. Piper
 March 2007 treasurer’s report was presented and approved as presented by
voice vote.
 Expressed concern about coordinating fundraising efforts by different groups
within the section.
Archivist: M. Simon
 No report.
Trustees: M. Strem
 See statement at appended to the minutes.
Councilors Reports
M. Chen
 According to sources at the Constitution and Bylaw Committee, there will be
eleven pages of petitions ready for voting at the Boston Council Meeting in
August.
 I serve on the Admissions Committee. A white-paper was presented from the
Membership Affairs Committee to the Admissions Committee,. ACS is
broadening the society’s membership requirements with the following
purpose:
o To include more scientists and engineers working on the
boundaries of chemical science or engineering and using chemical
techniques in their everyday work, even though they may not have
held a degree in a chemical science or engineering
o To make the society more welcoming to multi-disciplinary scientists
and international scientists who are not qualified for member status.
They could become Society Affiliates. Since the communication
system has dramatically improved, our society no longer has
boundaries.
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NESACS Board of Directors Meeting
University of Massachusetts (Boston)
Campus Center
April 12th , 2007
 To change Student Affiliate to Student Membership, This will
later automatically become Regular Member. The category
of Associate Membership will be eliminated.
o I attended the following meetings and receptions: Open meeting on
“Budget and Finance,” District I Councilor Caucus, Town Hall
Meeting, Symposium on “Women Achieving Success,” the Chinese
American Chemical Society Banquet, the International Activities
Reception and the ACS National Award Dinner.
D. Rickter
 Attended the CCAS executive meeting as an Associate on Friday evening.
The CAS staff presented reports of its outstanding successes and current
issues of pricing. The open meeting on Monday was notable for the
absence of critical questions. Chemical Abstracts is celebrating its 100th
anniversary in 2007.The 11 June issue of C & E News will feature this
celebration.
 Attended the third-ever meeting of the ACS Ethics Committee as an
Associate on Sunday; Marge Cavanaugh of NSF is the Chair, and Eric
Slater, Esq., is the staff person. To the original two subcommittees that
deal with the action items (Education and Awareness) has been added an
Industrial Subcommittee -- that I have joined. Dr. David Chesney of
Houghton, MI, led our first meeting on ethical aspects of the chemical
industry.
 An excellent workshop (with PROF) presented scenarios of
workplace ethical issues on Tuesday afternoon.
 There will be at least four different workshops dealing with
ethics for chemists at the Boston meeting.
 President Katie Hunt arranged Presidential Events on sustainable energy.
 See http://www.acspresident.org/biosustainability.php#7 and other sites.
 Prof. Nathan Lewis of CalTech gave a powerful summary of the predicament
that the world faces. How do we cut carbon dioxide emissions enough to end
the rapid global climate change? Economics, politics, engineering, and
science are all parts of the problem. Solar energy is promising but still too
expensive.
 Attended the Silver Circle Breakfast on Tuesday with an outstanding
interactive address by ACS Past President Dr. Elsa Reichmanis.
Attendance was very good.
 Had lunch with CINF on Tuesday. The speaker, Ted Smith of the US
EPA, gave a comprehensive outline of environmental problems of the
Great Lakes Basin. The persistent bio-accumulative toxic substances
(PBT’s) are monitored.
 Attended District I Caucus on Tuesday, catching up on ACS business.
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April 12th , 2007
 Acted as a Councilor in the Council Meeting on Wed. By written ballot the
Council selected Thomas H. Lane and Howard M. Peters as candidates
for 2008 President-Elect. Total attendance at the Chicago meeting was
14 520.
 Listened to papers in CINF Division and attended CINF events
 Did the usual Expo, SciTech, social events, and so on. It was a great
meeting.
Chemical Education: R. Tanner (written and oral)
Newell Grants
 The Northeastern Section of the American Chemical Society is again offering
four Lyman C. Newell Grants for the New England Association of Chemistry
Teachers’ Annual Summer Conference. This summer the theme of the
conference is The Wonders of Glass. It will be held at St. Joseph’s College
in West Hartford, CT on August 6-9, 2007. The program can be accessed at
http://neact.org/summer_conference.html. The total fees for Monday evening
through Thursday morning, including registration, room and board, banquets
and socials are expected to be from about $300 to $325. Each Newell Grant
will be for $225, paid to the NEACT Summer Conference Registrar/Treasurer.
 While preference will be given to teachers who are new to teaching or
returning to teaching, the awards are open to all secondary school chemistry
teachers. Applicants need not be members of the Northeastern Section of
the American Chemical Society or of NEACT. The application for the Newell
Grants is available on the website of the Northeastern Section at
<http://www.nesacs.org>. Applications for the grants are due by May 18,
2007, and all applicants will be notified of the results by e-mail on May 25,
2007
Norris-Richards Undergraduate Summer Research Scholarships
 The applications for the scholarships were due on April 6 th. The Scholarship
Committee received 24 applications by the due date from various colleges
and universities within NESACS. All applicants will be notified of the
Scholarship Committee’s decisions on April 25, 2007.
Registration Grants for High School Chemistry Teachers
 At the request of the NESACS Planning Committee for the Boston ACS
meeting, the Education Committee is coordinating the registration grants for
high school chemistry teachers for the national meeting of the ACS that will
be held in Boston, MA August 19-23, 2007. The grants are for registration
reimbursement for the national meeting for High School Chemistry Teachers
within the Northeastern Section of the ACS (i.e. New Hampshire and eastern
Massachusetts). The reimbursement will only be for the $78.00 registration
fee; transportation, lodging, and food will not be reimbursed. Registration for
the meeting will entitle them to access to all workshops, any session in any
division, all presentations, exhibitions, and non-ticketed events throughout the
meeting. The total amount available for the grants are $1000 or 12-13 grants
total.
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NESACS Board of Directors Meeting
University of Massachusetts (Boston)
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April 12th , 2007
The Chemical Education Division (CHED) is presenting a special education
program for high school chemistry teachers on the opening Sunday of the
meeting, August 19th. Registration at the meeting entitles them to the High
School Day Luncheon and Door Prize Raffle. Applications can be accessed
though the NESACS website at http: www.NESACS.org. The deadline for
applications is June 15, 2007. All applicants will be notified by e-mail on June
22, 2007.
Grants-in-Aid
The Education Committee has been awarding Grants-in-Aid of $250 each to
four undergraduates at colleges and universities within the Northeastern
Section to enable them to attend the spring ACS National Meeting to present
a paper at the Undergraduate Research Poster Session in the Division of
Chemical Education. Matching funds have been committed by the institutions
to support the students’ travel. The recipients are also required to participate
in the Northeast Student Chemistry Research Conference (NSCRC) in April.
The costs for this activity have been increasing. Assuming a minimum of
three nights (Saturday, Sunday and Monday) and assuming a shared room
would be at least $300, airfare to most cities for the Spring meeting to be at
least $300, registration for student ACS members to be $78 ($160 for nonstudent affiliate members), plus costs for food and other transportation, the
expenses amount to least $800.
Given these current expenses, it is proposed that the Grants-in-Aid be
increased to $350 with a required increase of matching funds to $350.
Motion: To increase the award for Grants-in-Aid from $250 each to $350 each
for 2008. Second by M. Hoffman.
 Discussion: The total expense is $400 from the education budget. The
expense needs to be approved now, in order to get proper advertising in
the fall 2007.
Motion passes by voice vote.
Board of Publications: V. Walworth
 The website continues to be an issue under review. D. Cunningham is
actively working with Satish to improve the website. All comments and
concerns about the website should be sent to the Board of Publications for
their review and action as appropriate.
 Much discussion on the need for a well maintained website was raised.
 Consider listing David Cunningham as the main website contact
person
 Can the Board of Publications develop an action plan for the website
that includes looking at hiring a Webmaster with the associated costs.
 Are their section funds available from the Trust to fund a webmaster
 What are the future roles of the Webmaster and the paid consultant?
Nucleus: M. Filosa
 May issue is at the printers.
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April 12th , 2007
 Summer issue deadline is June 15th. Need additional written content for the
issue.
Medicinal Chemistry Group: L. Shao
 Medicinal chemistry group will have the first symposium for the year 2007 on
May 17th at 3pm at Emanuel College, Boston MA. The topic of the
symposium is “Lead Optimization Strategies”
 We have four speakers presenting on that day.
 The speakers are: Prof. L.V. G Nargund ,from Nargund Research
Foundation, Nargund College of Pharmacy, Bangalore, India,
 Dr. Neal Green, from Wyeth Research, Cambridge, MA,
 Dr. Horst Hemmerle from Eli Lilly
 Dr. Mark Goulet from Merck Research Laboratories, Boston, MA.
 . All the necessary information about this meeting has been sent out
Nucleus.
National Meeting: M. Hoffman
 A reception is being planned for Sunday afternoon sponsored by NESACS
and the Division of Chemical Education and the German Chemical Society.
Funds are being solicited from German chemical companies.
 Motion by M. Strem: To award Kurt Begitt of the GDS be presented by
NESACS with an ACS Salute to Excellence Award to be presented at the
Sunday reception at the ACS meeting in Boston. Second by M. Hearn.
 Discussion: Kurt Begitt has been one of the key leaders over the past
years representing the GDS for the GDS – YCC student exchange
program.
 Motion passes by voice vote.
NERM: M. Hoffman (written and oral)
 An interim meeting of the Board of Directors of the Northeast Region of the
American Chemical Society, Inc. (NERACS) was held on March 27, 2007, in
Chicago, IL. Present were Julie Smist (Chair), Dick Cobb (Vice-chair), Chris
Masi (Secretary), Wayne Jones (Treasurer), Linda Farber (Representative
from the Western Connecticut Local Section), and Morton Hoffman. A check
for $12,000 was presented to NERACS from the excess of income over
expenditures for NERM 2005. It is anticipated that NERM 2006 will provide
the NERACS treasury with approximately $30,000 after all the accounting of
that meeting has been completed.
 There will be no NERM in 2007 because the ACS national meeting will be
held in Boston.
 NERM 2008 will be held in Burlington, VT, June 29-July 2, 2008. The Green
Mountain Local Section will host the meeting.
 Plans are evolving for NERMs in 2009 in western Massachusetts, 2010 in the
Potsdam, NY, area, and 2012 in Rochester, NY.
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A discussion was held about holding a joint Northeast-Middle Atlantic regional
meeting (NERM-MARM) in 2011. [The national meetings will be held in
Anaheim (Spring) and Chicago (Fall) in 2011.] Such a meeting could be held
in a location at or near the boundary of the regions, e.g., White Plains, NY, so
as to be easily accessible by car, train, and air to participants from both
regions. Wayne Jones will be present at MARM 2007 and has been invited to
the meeting of the Middle Atlantic Region to discuss this option. Morton
Hoffman will also be at MARM to represent the CHED High School Teacher
Award, and will be available for discussions. Local sections within the
Northeast and Middle Atlantic Regions that are willing to co-host the meeting
will have to be identified.
The next meeting of the NERACS Board of Directors will take place in Boston
in August.
Sense of the Board Motion: NESACS will co-host the 2011 joint NERMMARM meeting.
Motion passes on voice vote.
 M. Hoffman to communicate this to both NERM and MARM organizers.
NCW C. Jaworek-Lopes (written report)
 Nine haikus from three schools (Lebanon High School, two elementary
schools in Bedford, and Norwood High School) were received as part of
Chemists Celebrate Earth Day. Two haikus were sent on to Washington, DC
for judging. All participants and their teachers will receive small gifts.
 The haikus submitted are:
 Written by Dan Sudman, Grade 10, Norwood High School
 Contamination,
 Destroying our health and earth.
 The end approaching.
 Pollution written by Gina Han, Grade 4, Lt. Job Lane Elementary School
 Gases, oils, fuels
 It all causes pollution.
 We need to stop now.
Norris Award Committee: J.D. Smith (written report)
 The deadline for receipt of new or revised nominations is April 15. There are
8 previous nominations but no new ones yet. The Committee will hold a
teleconference in mid-May to select the Awardee.
 Reservations have been made at the Harvard Faculty Club for Thursday,
November 8th, assuming that the Awardee selected will be able to make that
date.
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Summerthing: M. Singer
 Tickets are available through the section office for the Lowell Spinners game
on Saturday July 14th.
Meeting was adjourned at 5:50 PM.
Respectfully Submitted
Michael Singer
NESACS Secretary
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REPORT TO NEASCS BOARD ON THE GERMAN EXCHANGE AT THE ACS
NATIONAL MEETING IN BOSTON
Morton Z. Hoffman, Boston University
Submission of abstracts: All fourteen of the German graduate students have
submitted abstracts to the relevant technical divisions for presentation in the
poster sessions and Sci-Mix.
1. Dominik Margraf
Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt
Title of abstract: Pulsed Electron-Electron Double Resonance: Beyond measuring distances
Technical division for presentation: PHYS
2. Cathrin Corten
Technische Universität Dresden
Title of abstract: Multi-sensitive hydrogel thin films: From synthesis to application
Technical division for presentation: PMSE/POLY
3. Eva-Maria Jahn
Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich
Title of abstract: Synthesis of natural tRNA modifications
Technical division for presentation: ORGN
4. Helke Döring
Chemnitz University of Technology
Title of abstract: Kinetic measurements using catalyst coatings
Technical division for presentation: ICE
5. Naho Fujimoto
Research Center Borstel
Title of abstract: Glycosylceramides: Synthesis and biophysical properties
Technical division for presentation: ORGN
6. Dominik Albrecht
Technische Universität München
Title of abstract: Enantioselective intramolecular [2+2]-photocycloaddition reactions of
tetramic acid esters
and their structural homologues mediated by a chiral lactam host
Technical division for presentation: ORGN
7. Tom Grossmann
Humboldt University, Berlin
Title of abstract: DNA-catalyzed organic transfer reaction for sequence-specific DNAdetection
Technical division for presentation: ORGN
8. Philipp Wacker
University of Potsdam
Title of abstract: Conformational analysis and ring current effects of porphyrins studied by
molecular
modeling
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Technical division for presentation: ORGN
9. Jens Breffke
Humboldt-University of Berlin
Title of abstract: No dual fluorescence in trans-4-dimethylamino-4’-cyanostilbene (DCS)
Technical division for presentation: PHYS
10. Jörg-Joachim Nitz
Max-Planck-Institute for Coal Research, Mülheim an der Ruhr
Title of abstract: Surface modified ordered mesoporous carbons
Technical division for presentation: COLL
11. Igor Schapiro
University of Duisburg-Essen
Title of abstract: Ab initio molecular dynamics of visual pigment chromophore models
Technical division for presentation: COMP
12. Hanns Martin Kaiser
Universität Rostock
Title of abstract: New synthetic protocols for the preparation of unsymmetrical bisindoles
Technical division for presentation: ORGN
13. Peter Wich
Universität Würzburg
Title of abstract: Stereoselective binding of peptides by artificial receptors in water: New
insights into the
molecular recognition of biologically relevant substrates
Technical division for presentation: ORGN
14. Franziska Luschtinetz
University of Potsdam
Title of abstract: New perspectives on fluorescence probes for protein single molecule
spectroscopy
Technical division for presentation: PHYS
Symposium: The NESACS co-sponsored symposium, Connections to Germany:
Research and Education Opportunities, in the Division of Chemical Education
(CHED) is scheduled for Sunday afternoon, August 19. In addition to NESACS,
other co-sponsors will be the German Chemical Society, the ACS International
Activities Committee, the CHED International Activities Committee, the Graduate
Student Symposium Planning Committee, the Society Committee on Education,
and the Women’s Chemist Committee. Requests for co-sponsorship are still
outstanding to the ACS President and Younger Chemists Committee.
Here are the titles, abstracts, and approximate times of the presentations.
1.30 PM – Welcoming remarks
1:35 PM – Biological chemistry research at Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich,
Germany
Eva-Maria Jahn and Thomas Carell, Department of Chemistry, Ludwig-Maximilians University,
Butenandtstrasse 5-13 (Haus F), 81377 München, Germany, Fax: ++49 89 2180 77756, EvaMaria.Jahn@cup.uni-muenchen.de
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The center of excellence, “Munich Center for Integrated Protein Science" (CIPSM), which was
founded in 2006, connects internationally recognized scientists from the two universities in
Munich with those from the neighboring Max Planck Institutes and the GSF in the Munich area.
This new interdisciplinary network creates an excellent scientific environment in which the
individual research facilities can develop their expertise synergistically. The central idea of CIPSM
is to achieve a deeper understanding of biological processes at the molecular and cellular level.
This requires interactive research of groups from different disciplines, including chemistry,
physics, and biology. The unifying theme is the understanding of proteins in their natural context
at all levels of organization of life. Imbedded in this framework, our group is working on the
biological functions of modified natural RNA nucleosides. This research encompasses different
topics, ranging from synthesis to the investigation of their biological functions, such as their
biosynthesis, as well as their interactions with the ribosome or enzymes during translation.
1:55 PM – DNA as catalyst in organic synthesis: An approach for sequence-specific DNA
detection
Tom N. Grossmann and Oliver Seitz, Department of Chemistry, Humboldt University, Berlin,
Brook-Taylor-Str. 2, Berlin D-12489, Germany, tom.grossmann@gmx.de
DNA-templated reactions are emerging as a general approach to control the reactivity of synthetic
molecules by modulating the effective molarity. DNA templates align the reactive groups of these
molecules to allow fast and selective reactions at reactant concentrations that are much lower
than those required for conventional synthesis. A central issue in DNA-templated synthesis is the
design of reactions using the DNA-template as catalyst. So far, approaches suffer from fast off
template reactions or increased affinity of the product to the DNA-template, preventing high
catalytic activity. Catalysis would support signal amplification and enable highly sensitive DNAdetection. We have developed a DNA-catalyzed transfer of a reporter group, generating high
catalytic turnover numbers in a sequence-specific manner (Grossmann, T. N.; Seitz, O. J. Am.
Chem. Soc. 2006, 128, 15596-15597). This DNA-catalyzed transfer is a new concept and is the
first reaction to combine high catalytic activity of the DNA-template with useful reaction yields and
low background.
2:15 PM – Characterization of smart materials synthesized via controlled radical
polymerization
Cathrin Corten and Dirk Kuckling, Fachrichtung für Chemie und Lebensmittelchemie, TU
Dresden, D-01062 Dresden, Germany, Fax: +49 351 37122, dirk.kuckling@chemie.tu-dresden.de
This presentation describes a graduate research project, which is integrated into the
Collaborative Research Centre 287, “Reactive Polymers in Inhomogeneous Systems, in Melts,
and at Interfaces," which is supported by the German Research Foundation (DFG). Our work
aims to integrate multiple functions into polymeric materials. For example, photo cross-linkable
multi-sensitive block copolymers based on a pH-sensitive component and a temperaturesensitive component were synthesized via nitroxide-mediated radical polymerization (NMRP). It
was shown that these smart block copolymers could be synthesized with variable molecular
weight and narrow molecular weight distribution. Using the photo cross-linking technique, the
preparation of thin hydrogel layers was successful. The swelling behavior of these responsive
films was investigated by different optical methods. The high sensitivity to external stimuli allows
the application of such hydrogel layers as sensor material.
2:35 PM – Intermission
2:45 PM – DAAD: Funding academic exchange and promoting research in Germany
Christian Schaefer, North America Section, DAAD, Kennedyallee 50, Bonn, Germany, Fax:
0049-228-882-551, schaefer@daad.de
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The Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst (German Academic Exchange Service) or DAAD
is an organization of the German universities with the objective of supporting international
cooperation in higher education and research. In 2006, DAAD provided funding for about 55,000
people from around the world. In addition to providing scholarships, DAAD supports cooperation
between German and foreign universities and research groups. Our leading programs for North
America are RISE (Research Internships in Science and Engineering, www.daad.de/rise), Study
Scholarships (for undergraduates, graduates and Ph.D. students), and Mobility Funds for the
cooperation of researchers in Germany and the United States or Canada. DAAD also supports
the development of exchange programs and joint degree or double degree programs.
Furthermore, the DAAD promotes the dynamic and highly distinguished German science and
research system in the international context. Comprehensive information is available at
[www.daad.org, www.daad.de] and [www.research-in-germany.de].
3:05 PM – Basic research in Germany: DFG, the German Research Foundation
Georg Bechtold, Chemistry and Process Engineering, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft e.G,
Kennedyallee 40, Bonn 53175, Germany, Fax: 0049-228-8852777, georg.bechtold@dfg.de
The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Research Foundation) is the central research
funding organization that promotes basic research in Germany. The DFG serves all branches of
science and the humanities by funding research projects and facilitating cooperation among
researchers. Promoting the advancement of Young Researchers throughout all stages of their
research career is a key goal of the DFG. The DFG also encourages international research
collaboration. Many of the programs have a specific international focus. These opportunities
include funding for individuals, individual projects, and coordinated programs. The DFG promotes
stronger international cooperation, greater international mobility of researchers, and further
internationalization of universities in Germany. The DFG offers various opportunities to
postgraduates, PhD students, and postdocs to spend a certain time of their educational career,
and sometimes the rest of their lives, in Germany. In this presentation, a short overview of the
many possibilities is given, from doctoral studies to professorships.
3:25 PM – The Boston Consulting Group Germany
Claudia Jopp, Recruiting, The Boston Consulting Group Germany, Stadttor 1, Duesseldorf
40625, Germany, Fax: +49 211 3011 3106
The Boston Consulting Group, as a worldwide leader in strategic consulting, stands for the
innovative solutions that we carry out in collaboration with our clients. Founded in the U.S. in
1963, BCG today maintains 63 offices in 37 countries throughout the world. Eight offices and 677
consultants are based in Germany, Austria, and Greece. Here alone, BCG generated revenues of
305 million euros in 2006. We provide consulting services in all industries and business sectors.
Our consulting approach starts with a deep understanding of our clients' businesses and their
specific market and competitive situations. From there, we develop tailored solutions together
with clients and support their implementation and establishment at the respective companies.
BCG seeks exceptional graduates in all fields, as well as young professionals eager to learn
continuously and take on new challenges. We are looking for people with self-initiative, curiosity,
and keen perceptive abilities. Abstract, analytical reasoning and confidence in working with
numbers are just as important for consulting work as communication skills and a deep desire to
make a difference. In short: We seek people who view thought and action as a unified whole.
3:45 PM – Intermission
3:55 PM – The German Chemical Society and chemical education and research in Germany
Kurt Begitt and Jens Breffke, Gesellschaft Deutscher Chemiker, Varrentrappstrasse 40 - 42,
Frankfurt am Main 60486, Germany, Fax: +49-69-7917-322, K.Begitt@gdch.de, breffke@web.de
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Europe is heading for a major change in its higher education system with the goal of an increased
harmonization of the various national systems. The Gesellschaft Deutscher Chemiker (GDCh) is
supporting the Bologna process. The GDCh sees an increasing number of foreign chemistry
students coming for some part of their education to German universities. The universities are well
prepared to welcome international students. For graduates in chemistry, the chemical industry is
the main employer offering interesting career opportunities. The German chemical industry is the
largest within the European Union. On a global scale, it is the fourth largest chemical industry and
employs close to 500,000 people in Germany. For a research position in industry or a research
center the candidate is expected to have a Ph.D. degree and hence more than 90% of the current
chemistry graduates in Germany leave university with a doctoral degree. The GDCh-Young
Chemist Forum (JCF) is the very active section of students and younger chemists within the
GDCh. The JCF was founded in 1997 in Berlin. Today, in the year 2007, the JCF has more than
6,000 members and is committed to its mission on local, national, and international levels.
4:20 PM – Younger Chemists Committee of the Northeastern Section
Laila Dafik, Department of Chemistry, Tufts University, 62 Talbot Avenue, Medford, MA 02155,
Laila.Dafik@tufts.edu
The Northeastern Section Younger Chemists Committee (NSYCC) is an important activity of the
Northeastern Section (NESACS), which encompasses Eastern Massachusetts and New
Hampshire. NSYCC organizes many events for younger chemists in the region, such as the
Northeastern Student Chemistry Research Conference (NSCRC), a free career fair, and social
gatherings. NSYCC is very proud to be part of the very successful annual German Exchange
Program between the GDCh-JCF and NESACS. Since 2001, a group of younger chemists has
traveled across the Atlantic Ocean to participate in a week-long program that consists of visits to
local university research laboratories, tours to industrial facilities, and presentations at regional
research conferences. Foreign career, research, and educational opportunities are emphasized
throughout the week.
4:40 PM – Study abroad opportunities in Germany for American science and engineering
undergraduates
Morton Z. Hoffman, Department of Chemistry, Boston University, 590 Commonwealth Avenue,
Boston, MA 02215, Fax: 617-353-6466, hoffman@bu.edu, and Nancy Downey, International
Programs, Boston University
Science and engineering undergraduates have historically been extremely underrepresented
among American students who study abroad. The reasons that students in non-scientific
disciplines are attracted to study abroad are well known: curricular flexibility, faculty enthusiasm,
administrative support, historical basis. Despite the international connections that many science
and engineering faculty have, they do not necessarily see the added value of the study abroad
experience to the students' overall education. A real problem to the student is the fact that highly
specialized courses and research fill the junior and senior years when most travel abroad has
been traditionally done. While it is possible for American undergraduates to enroll directly in a
university in another country (Germany, for example), there are a number of serious deterrents:
instruction would be in the local language, the academic calendar will probably not coincide with
that of the home institution, and the expectations of the instructors might not be compatible with
the background and maturity of the students. An appropriate alternative to the total immersion
approach is to have the American science and engineering courses replicated at a foreign site.
Boston University's Dresden Science and Engineering Programs will be presented as a model
that affords students the opportunity to study abroad in their major and avoids the common
obstacles.
4:55 PM – Closing remarks
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5:00 PM – End
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The 11th Andrew H. Weinberg Memorial Lecture
This annual event highlights the achievements and focuses on the development
of new strategies for the treatment of cancer patients
Malcolm Smith, MD, PhD
Associate Chief, Pediatric Oncology
Cancer Therapy Evaluations
Program, NCI
“Picking Winners- Selecting the Right Molecularly
Targeted Agents for the Right Childhood
Cancers"
Please join us
Monday, May 14th, 4:00pm
The Smith Family Room (D1620)
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 35 Binney Street, Boston, MA 02115
Malcolm Smith is a leader in the Pediatric Preclinical Testing Program
(PPTP) an NCI initiative designed to address the challenge facing pediatric
oncology researchers of reliably prioritizing new agents for study in children with
cancer. The PPTP systematically tests 10-15 new agents annually against in vitro
and in vivo preclinical models of childhood cancers, with testing ideally occurring
near the time that the agents are entering testing in humans and prior to their
initial evaluation in children. . The PPTP utilizes a set of molecularly
characterized preclinical models (approximately 100 cell lines and xenografts)
that recapitulate key molecular and biological characteristics of their clinical
counterparts.
The Andrew H. Weinberg Fund was created to bring researchers together from the field of
chemotherapy development with those in the medical community to foster an environment for
synergy and new approaches for cancer research. The fund is endowed through the generous
support of family and friends, as well as the Medicinal Chemical Group, the Northeastern section
of the American Chemical Society, and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
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For more information, please contact Jill LaCoursiere at 617-632-3971 or
jill_lacoursiere@dfci.harvard.edu
Picking Winners – Selecting the Right Molecularly Targeted Agents for the Right
Childhood Cancers
Malcolm A. Smith, MD, PhD
From 1975 to 1998 the death rate from childhood cancers declined at an annual rate of
2.7% per year, continuing a consistent decline in childhood cancer mortality that began in the
1960s. However, from 1998 through 2003 childhood cancer mortality remained unchanged. How
can childhood cancer researchers get beyond the impasse that has been reached in identifying
more effective curative treatments for children with cancer?
Progress in developing more successful systemic treatments will require reliable
prioritization of effective agents for clinical evaluation against specific childhood cancers. This is
a difficult task given the large number of novel anti-cancer agents with distinctive molecular
targets that are now available for clinical evaluation. The Pediatric Preclinical Testing Program
(PPTP) is one step that the National Cancer Institute is taking to develop data that will be useful
for prioritization decisions. The PPTP utilizes a set of molecularly characterized preclinical
models (approximately 100 cell lines and xenografts) that recapitulate key molecular and
biological characteristics of their clinical counterparts. The systematic evaluation of agents by the
PPTP allows the identification of histiotype-specific response patterns, candidate biomarkers of
response, and pharmacokinetic estimates of drug exposures associated with antitumor activity.
The PPTP is evaluating novel agents that target key biological processes and pathways such as
angiogenesis, mTOR signaling, receptor tyrosine kinase signaling, and Bcl-2 family control of
apoptosis. Testing results in these areas will be presented and their implications for clinical
prioritization decisions will be discussed. The PPTP and related preclinical activities are key
components of a strategy for once again identifying more successful treatments for children with
cancer through the selection of effective molecularly targeted agents for clinical evaluation
against specific childhood cancers.
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COUNCILOR TALKING POINTS
SUMMARY OF GOVERNANCE ACTIONS/REPORTS
AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
233rd ACS NATIONAL MEETING
CHICAGO, IL
MARCH 25-29, 2007
The following summary is provided to help councilors report to their local sections and divisions
on key actions of the ACS Council and Board of Directors at the 2007 spring national meeting.
ACTIONS OF THE COUNCIL
Election Results

The Committee on Nominations and Elections presented to the Council the following
nominees for selection as candidates for President-Elect, 2008: Pat N. Confalone, Thomas H.
Lane, William A. Nugent, and Howard M. Peters. By written ballot the Council selected
Thomas H. Lane and Howard M. Peters as candidates for 2008 President-Elect. These two
candidates will stand for election in the Fall National Election.

The Committee on Nominations and Elections announced the results of the election to select
candidates from the list of nominees to represent District II and District IV on the Board of
Directors for the term 2008-2010. Nominees for District II included: Robin J. Hood, Joseph
R. Peterson, Diane Grob Schmidt, and Steven W. Yates. Nominees for District IV included
Paul F. Barbara, Eric C. Bigham, John P. Fackler, Jr., and Gregory H. Robinson. By mail
ballot the councilors from these districts selected Joseph R. Peterson and Diane Grob
Schmidt as District II candidates; and as District IV candidates, Eric C. Bigham and Gregory
H. Robinson. Ballots will be mailed on or before October 10 to all members in District II and
District IV for election of a Director from each District.
Candidates for Directors-at-Large

The Committee on Nominations and Elections announced the selection of the following
candidates for Directors-at-Large for a 2008-2010 term: Janan M. Hayes, Helen A. Lawlor,
Kent J. Voorhees, and Frankie K. Wood-Black. The election of two Directors-at-Large will be
conducted in the fall. Ballots will be mailed to the Council on or before October 10.
Committee Performance Reviews

As part of a regular review, the Council VOTED to continue the Committee on Science, the
Women Chemists Committee, and the Younger Chemists Committee - subject to
concurrence by the Board of Directors. The Committee on Science provides an
organizational framework to facilitate policy formulation, actions, and planning in several
areas of ACS activity directly related to the science of chemistry. The Women Chemists
Committee was established to recognize women chemists and to encourage them to take an
active interest in Society activities; and the Younger Chemists Committee facilitates
communication of ideas and attitudes between the governing bodies of the Society and
younger chemists.
Petitions
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(For Action)

The Council received three amendments to the ACS Bylaws (Petitions) for action: the
Petition on Election Procedures 2006, the Petition on Rules for Nominating Members of
N&E for National Offices, and the Petition on Multi-Year Dues.

The Council VOTED to split consideration and action on the Petition on Election Procedures
2006 into two parts: Part 1 changes the timing of run-off elections and specifies an election
process for situations in which only one Director-at-Large position is open.
Part 2 addresses consistency in national election procedures. It proposes changes to
standardize the petition and election processes for President-Elect and all Director positions
based on percentages of voting members. It replaces language specifying a required
absolute number of petition signatures for nomination of candidates for President-Elect, and
Director-at-Large with language specifying a higher requirement for petition signatures as a
percentage of the membership for nomination of candidates for these offices.
The Council VOTED to accept Part 1. For Part 2, the Council VOTED to recommit this
petition back to the Committee on Nominations and Elections and ask that they reconsider
the signature requirements, procedures for processing electronic signatures, and those
suggestions arising from the Governance Review Task Force pertinent to election
procedures.

The Petition on Rules for Nominating Members of N&E for National Offices establishes a
one-year waiting period following service on the Committee on Nominations and Elections
before an individual can be nominated for District Director, President-Elect or Director-atLarge. The Council VOTED by recorded vote to defeat this petition.

The Council VOTED to accept the Petition on Multi-Year Dues. This petition will allow
members paying full dues without any of the discounts to pay for periods of two or three
years if they wish, at a rate equal to two or three times the rate for a one year period. Council
also VOTED to make this petition effective when technical components are instituted to offer
and track the payments, but no later than January 1, 2010.

The Board of Directors will vote within 90 days on whether to ratify the approved petitions.
(For Consideration)

The Council received one petition for consideration: the Petition on Local Section Affiliations.
The petition addresses a difference in current Society bylaws regarding the responsibilities of
the Committee on Local Section Activities (LSAC) and the Committee on Divisional Activities
(DAC) in oversight of the establishment of affiliations by local sections and divisions,
respectively. The petition grants responsibilities for LSAC parallel to those currently
established for DAC. Action is expected on the petition at the fall national meeting.
2008 Member Dues

The Council VOTED to set the member dues for 2008 at the fully escalated rate of $136. This
rate is established pursuant to an inflation-adjustment formula in the ACS Constitution and
Bylaws.
The Society’s Finances
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
The Society ended 2006 with a net contribution from operations of $12.2 million, on revenues
of $424.0 million and expenses of $411.9 million, which was $7.8 million favorable to the
approved budget. The favorable variance was primarily attributable to higher-than-budgeted
electronic services revenue and investment income, as well as expense savings from lowerthan-budgeted health care costs and reduced IT spending. In addition, the Society ended
2006 in full compliance with the Board-established financial guidelines.
Registration Report

As of March 27, 2007, the ACS fall national meeting had attracted 14,520 registrants as
follows: Regular attendees 7,152; Students 5,059; Exhibitors 1,283; Exposition only 573; and
Guests 453.
Future National Meetings

The Council VOTED to approve dates and sites for 2017 national meetings as follows: April
2-6, San Francisco, California; and September 10-14, St. Louis, Missouri.
New Local Section

The Council VOTED to establish the Snake River Local Section with headquarters in Boise,
ID. This brings the total number of local sections to 190.
Member Statistics

ACS closed 2006 with 160,491 members, the highest year-end membership since 2002. Of
the 17,857 applications processed in 2006, more than 1,000 came from the Member-Get-AMember campaign, in which many councilors participated.
Governance Review

The Council received a report on the recent activities of the Governance Review Task Force.
Councilors were informed that since the last Council meeting, the task force has met twice
and action teams have been actively addressing those areas under the “Advance” category.
Councilors also learned that the Council Policy Committee and the Board of Directors
VOTED, as recommended by the Governance Review Task Force, to accept four
recommendations under the “Refine” category.
Chemical Professional’s Code of Conduct

The Council VOTED to approve the Chemical Professional’s Code of Conduct as submitted
by the Committee on Economic and Professional Affairs. This document offers guidance for
Society members in various professional dealings, especially those involving conflicts of
interest.
Resolutions

The Council adopted resolutions in memory of deceased councilors and ACS Past Presidents
Robert Parry (1982), and Fred Basolo (1983).
ACTIONS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board’s Standing Committees
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
The Board of Directors received a report on the screened list of candidates from the
Committee on Grants and Awards for the 2008 Priestley Medal and the Volunteer Service
Award. The Board will announce the winners of these two awards after its June meeting.
The Board also VOTED to approve a new award: the ACS Award for Affordable Green
Chemistry, and an endowment to support the award sponsored by the Rohm and Haas
Company. The Committee on Grants and Award concluded its report with an update from
the PRF Steering Committee.

The Board received a report on the activities of the Committee on Public Affairs and Public
Relations where they were informed of its actions at this meeting and recent governance
advocacy activities since the committee’s last meeting in December.
Activities of the Board’s Task Forces and Working Groups

The Board of Directors received status reports from several of its task forces and working
groups namely: the Governance Review Task Force, the International Strategy Advisory
Group, Percy Julian Task Force, the Board Oversight Group on Leadership Development, the
working group on 2007 Board Goals and the working group charged with planning the
Board’s retreat. The Board VOTED, on the recommendation of the Governance Review Task
Force, to accept four recommendations under the “Refine” category. The Board also
expressed its appreciation to the Percy Julian Task Force for its outstanding work and
presented its members with plaques of the US House of Representative Resolution (February
2007) honoring the life and contributions of Dr. Julian.
Recognition of Chemical Society Milestone Anniversaries

The Board approved resolutions recognizing the 100th anniversary of the Hungarian Chemical
Society and the 150th anniversary of the French Chemical Society. The French Chemical
Society’s anniversary will be celebrated in connection with its national meeting and the “C6”
meeting, a summit of six large international chemical societies, in July. The Hungarian
Chemical Society will celebrate its anniversary in June.
The Review and Approval of Two Policies

The Board reviewed and approved a statement on scholarship as presented by the
Committee on Education, and a series of policies for the acceptance of gifts as supported by
the Task Force on Development Activities.
Compensation of Society Staff

On the recommendation of the Committee on Executive Compensation, the Board VOTED to
approve several actions relative to compensation for the Society’s executive staff. The
compensation of the Society’s executive staff receives regular review from the Board.
The Executive Director/CEO Report

The Executive Director/CEO led a discussion on challenges facing the ACS, 2007-2011,
including demographic/disciplinary, international, workforce readiness & science
competitiveness, knowledge transfer and governance reform, and on priority
recommendations for addressing those challenges. She also, along with several of her direct
reports, updated the Board on the following issues: the impact of evolving information and
communication technologies and trends on the Society, the Web Presence initiative, the ACS
Green Chemistry Institute, and the activities of Chemical Abstracts Service, the Publications
Division, and the Society’s General Counsel.
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