MN Green Chemistry Conference 2012

Minnesota Green Chemistry 2012: Strategies for Growth
January 26, 2012 from 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Humphrey Center, University of Minnesota

Register today at: www.greenchemistrymn.org

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION EXTENDED THROUGH JANUARY 6, 2012

This conference will explore how we can reap the benefits of green chemistry by promoting a healthy business environment for green chemistry here in Minnesota.

Keynote Speakers

Dr. Paul Anastas is the Assistant Administrator for the Office of Research and Development and Science Advisor to the EPA. Known as the “Fa­ther of Green Chemistry” for his groundbreaking research use of minimally-toxic, environ­mentally-friendly chemicals.

Dr. Patrick Gruber is the Chief Executive Officer of Gevo and has served as a director of the company since 2007. In 2008, he was awarded the George Washington Carver Award which recognizes significant contributions in the field of indus­trial biotechnology.

Panel Discussions Include:

• Product Improvement through Green Chemistry
• Green Product Value Chain
• Minnesota Grown to Minnesota Made - the Promise of Bio-Industrial Processing
• Growing Green Chemistry in Minnesota

Green Chemistry 2012 Flyer.pdf

Summer 2012 NSF-REU Undergraduate Research Program

The University of North Texas
Department of Chemistry
Denton, TX 76203-5017

Students looking for an exciting interdisciplinary research experience are invited to apply for the summer 2012 NSF-REU program at the University of North Texas. The ten-week program will begin June 4, and participants will be given a $5,000 stipend, plus housing. Funds are available to help defray travel costs to and from the REU site, which is located at the northern outskirts of the Dallas-Ft. Worth area.

Possible Research Areas Include:

• Analytical Chemistry
  
• Inorganic Chemistry
  
• Organic Chemistry
  
• Physical Chemistry
  
• Computational Chemistry
  
• Materials Chemistry
  
• Ligand Design
  
• Kinetics
  
• Catalysis
  
• Synthetic Organometallic Chemistry
  
• Non-electrolytic Solutions
  
• Biochemistry
  
• Layered Inorganic Materials
  
• Metal Electrodeposition
  
• Surface Chemistry
  
• Organic Electrochemistry
  
• Diamond-like Carbon Films
  
• Organic Synthesis Metal/Ceramic Nanocomposites
  
• Optical Sensors
  
• Gas-Phase Chemistry
  
• Conducting Polymers
  
• Fluorescence/Phosphorescence
  
• Spectroscopy

Application forms and additional information on this program are available by visiting http://www.chem.unt.edu/nsf-reu/

Applications for the program are due by March 1, 2012 and should be sent to:

Shawn Adams
Chemistry NSF-REU Coordinator
Department of Chemistry
University of North Texas
1155 University Circle # 305070
Denton, TX 76203

For Questions and Comments, Contact Shawn Adams:

Phone: 940-565-4372 chem-reu@unt.edu
FAX: 940-565-4318 http://www.chem.unt.edu/nsf-reu

Summer Clinical Lab Internships at Mayo (and Summer Undergraduate Research link)

Please see the message, below, recently received by the Chemistry Department. Note that the program described here is not a summer research program. If you are interested in research at Mayo, see information about the Mayo Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship at http://www.mayo.edu/mgs/surf.html

Now, about the Clinical Lab Internships:

Season's Greetings from Mayo Clinic!
We wanted to share with you and your students that we will have opportunities for summer student internships in the clinical lab setting again in 2012. Last year Human Resources changed the computer system and we now have an electronic application instead of the paper applications. Students will be able to start applying January 1, 2012 when the SLSP job posting goes live. Students may visit this web site for more information: http://www.mayoclinic.org/intern-labmed-rst/details.html. It explains job duties, salary (which will increase to ~$14/hr), lab descriptions and FAQ's. You can look at the application tab to see the requirements. Paper applications will Not be accepted.

Students must have ALL required documents (i.e. unofficial transcripts, resume, etc.) at the time of application. If something is missing, the application should be saved as a draft, do not submit if the application is not complete. If the application is not complete, it will automatically be rejected.

It is a very competitive program. We usually have about 125 applications for about 18 positions. The program starts the first week in June and goes to the end of August. The application deadline for our summer lab science program is Friday, February 24, 2011.

Regards.
Karen G. Fields,
MT(ASCP),CG(ASCP)^CM
Placement Coordinator
Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology
Phone: 507-266-4444
Pager: 127(12367)
Fax: 507-266-5193
Email: fields.karen@mayo.edu
______________
Mayo Clinic
200 First Street SW
Rochester, Mn 55905
www.mayoclinic.org

REU: Tackling the Environmental Grand Challenges of Engineering at Purdue University — Environmental and Ecological Engineering

This program is for students who are interested in applying their technical skills to solve some of the Grand Challenges facing humanity. Broad research themes include providing access to clean water, restoring and improving urban infrastructure, and managing nitrogen and carbon cycles at different scales. After completing the program, students will be better prepared to enter the
global green economy and will have a better overall understanding of the environmental impacts of societal and engineering activities.

Program highlights include:
Exciting, cutting-edge research
Field trips
Professional development
Social events
Sustainability discussion group

Students will receive:
$4000 stipend
Campus housing & meal plan
Up to $500 reimbursement for travel to Purdue University.


Eligibility requirements:
Completed at least 2 years of undergraduate education; continuing undergraduate in fall.
Major or program of study in natural sciences, technology, or engineering.
U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident

Research Topics and Themes:
Reducing the water footprint of manufactured products
Water development in sub-Saharan Africa
Re-designing Urban Infrastructure Networks and Components
Energy Efficiency Enhancements in Existing Buildings
The Role of the Built Environment as a Reactive Component for Chemical Pollutants
Electrokinetic Remediation of Porous Materials
Nitrogen and Carbon Cycling
Carbon Dioxide Scrubbers for Fossil Fuel Combustion

Sponsored by the National Science Foundation (EEC-1004974)

Application and more information available by clicking on blog entry title

Applications due: February 1, 2012
Ten-week program: May 29 to Aug 3, 2012
Program contacts:
Prof. Inez Hua hua@purdue.edu
Dr. Stephen Hoffmann srh@purdue.edu

2011 BioTechniques "Twelve Days of Christmas" Holiday Gift Guide

Click on the title, above, to visit the latest version of this annual holiday gift guide for your favorite science-geek.

Some entries:

temporary tattoos (double helix DNA),
talking microscopes,
and parasites as tree ornaments...

how can you resist?

KWAZULU-NATAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR TUBERCULOSIS AND HIV

Student Research Experiences at K-RITH: Summer 2012

K-RITH’s research center is being built at the Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine in Durban, South Africa.

The KwaZulu-Natal Research Institute for Tuberculosis and HIV (K-RITH) seeks world-class scientists to join our groundbreaking research centre at the epicentre of the tuberculosis and HIV epidemics. Our goal is to conduct outstanding research that encompasses basic science and human biology on TB and HIV and translate those scientific findings into new tools to control the deadly diseases.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 31st JANUARY, 2012

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
For more information: email Victoria Kasprowicz, K-RITH’s Director of Education and Training at Victoria.kasprowicz@k-rith.org

K-RITH is a collaboration between the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Durban, South Africa. Our goal is that discoveries made in the heart of the TB and HIV epidemics will drive innovation to control the deadly diseases. We know that an emphasis on basic science will lead to rational interventions and clinical solutions to many of the problems facing the area.

Experience Scientific Research in Africa!

K-RITH is offering students the opportunity to join its vibrant and productive research community in the ‘Summer’ (African winter). Outstanding undergraduate and post-graduate students with an interest in an academic scientific career are encouraged to apply for an 8-10 week research experience from June-August 2012. Students join labs doing cutting-edge research right at the very heart of the HIV and TB epidemics.

All positions will be based at our state-of-the art, 4,000-square-metre facility, which is being built on the campus of the Nelson Mandela School of Medicine in Durban, South Africa.

Caltech Summer Research Opportunities (2!)

MURF UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS

The MURF program aims to increase the participation of underrepresented students (such as African American, Hispanic, and Native American, females who are underrepresented in their discipline, or first-generation college students) in science and engineering Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. programs and to make Caltech's programs more visible to students not traditionally exposed to Caltech.

Eligibility: Students must be current sophomores through non-graduating seniors and must be U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents. A minimum GPA of 3.2 is required.

Competitive applicants will have completed sophomore-level courses in desired research field, have demonstrated through academic and/or co-curricular activities a passion for research, and can articulate how their research interests align with Caltech's research areas.

Support: MURF students will receive a $6000 award for the ten-week program. An additional $500 housing and travel supplement will be provided.

Application: Online Applications are due January 11, 2012.

For more information, please visit www.murf.caltech.edu

AMGEN SCHOLARS PROGRAM

Caltech's Amgen Scholars Program is geared towards students in biology, chemistry, and biotechnology fields. Some of these fields include biology, biochemistry, bioengineering, chemical and biomolecular engineering, and chemistry.

Eligibility: Students must be current sophomores through non-graduating seniors, must be attending a four-year university, and must be U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents. A minimum GPA of 3.2 is required.

Support: Amgen Scholars will receive a $5500 award, round-trip air transportation, a generous housing allowance, and a food allowance.

Application: Online applications are due February 15, 2012.

For more information, please visit www.amgenscholars.caltech.edu

Carol Casey
Associate Director
Student-Faculty Programs
California Institute of Technology
Mail Code 330-87
Pasadena, CA 91125
(626) 395-2887
casey@caltech.edu

2012 NASA Student Airborne Research Program

2012 NASA Student Airborne Research Program (SARP)
June 17 - August 10, 2012

The NASA Airborne Science Program invites highly motivated junior and senior undergraduate and early graduate students to apply for participation in the NASA Student Airborne Research Program (SARP 2012). SARP provides students with hands-on research experience in all aspects of a major scientific campaign, from detailed planning on how to achieve mission objectives to formal presentation of results and conclusions to peers and others.

Participants will fly onboard the NASA P-3B aircraft where they will assist in the operation of instruments to sample and measure atmospheric gases and to image land and water surfaces in multiple spectral bands. Along with airborne data collection, students will participate in taking measurements at field sites. Students will work in multi-disciplinary teams to study surface, atmospheric, and oceanographic processes. Each student will develop his/her own individual research project.

Instrument and flight preparations, and the research flights themselves, will take place at NASA’s Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility, in Palmdale, CA. Post-flight data analysis and interpretation will take place at the University of California, Irvine. Applicants must have a strong academic background in any of the physical, chemical, or biological sciences, or engineering and an interest in applying their background to the study of the Earth system. We especially encourage applications from students majoring in Earth, environmental or atmospheric sciences and related disciplines.

SARP participants will receive round-trip travel to California, housing and transportation during the 8-week program, a $3,000 stipend and a $2,500 meals allowance.

Applications received by Jan. 20, 2012 will be considered for early acceptance.
The deadline for all applications is Feb. 10, 2012.

For more information and to download the program application, visit http://www.nserc.und.edu/learning/SARP2012.html.
To watch a video about the 2011 program, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2-jqE43PG0

Specific questions about the program should be directed to SARP2012@nserc.und.edu.