Summer Science in Flight with NASA...

NASA Student Airborne Research Program

The NASA Airborne Science Program invites highly motivated advanced undergraduates who will be rising seniors in summer 2016 to apply for participation in the 8^th annual NASA Student Airborne Research Program (SARP 2016). Participants will fly onboard theNASA DC-8 and assist in the operation of instruments to sample and measure atmospheric solar radiation, gases and aerosols. They will also use remote sensing data collected during the program from the NASA ER-2 high-altitude research aircraft 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 complete an individual research project from the data collected.

Outstanding faculty and staff for this program will be drawn from several universities and NASA centers, as well as from NASA flight operations and engineering personnel.

The eight-week program begins June 12, 2016 and concludes August 5, 2016. 

Instrument and flight preparations, and the research flights themselves, will take place during the first two weeks of the program at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center, in Palmdale, CA. Post-flight data analysis and interpretation will take place during the final six weeks of the program at the University of California, Irvine.

SARP participants will receive a $5,000 stipend. They will also receive a travel allowance as well as free housing and local transportation during the 8-week program.

Applicants must be US citizens attending a US college or university majoring in a STEM discipline.

The application deadline is Tuesday February 2, 2016.

Apply here: www.nserc.und.edu/sarp/sarp-2016/

For more information, email sarp2016@nserc.und.edu
Watch a video about the program here: https://youtu.be/o56_07rsyBY

Summer Research Opportunity Announcement

Environmental Chemistry Seminar - Haze in China

Next week Carleton College will host Professor Mei Zheng from Peking University, and she will present a seminar titled, Haze in China.  The seminar will be at 3:30 pm on Friday, October 9, 2015 in Olin 141.

Mei Zheng is currently a professor in the College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, China. She worked at the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, from 2000-2010. Her research focuses on sources and chemical properties of atmospheric fine particulate matter or PM2.5, which is a major cause of the severe haze problem in China. The seminar will present the current status of PM2.5 pollution in China, the major sources of fine particles and the challenges of air quality that China faces today.  The seminar is designed for a general audience - you don't need to be an air pollution specialist to attend.

Graduation with Distinction in Chemistry

Juniors and seniors who have completed, or will complete, an experiential learning project in chemistry or a related field may choose to pursue a distinction project as described at the Chemistry department website.  In order to undertake the process of attaining departmental distinction, a student must 
 • be a declared chemistry major 
 • have a chemistry course GPA of 3.00 or greater; or have permission of the department 
 • have an overall GPA of 3.00 or greater, or have permission of the department  • have junior or senior standing

Due dates for the completion of tasks associated with earning distinction in the fall and spring semesters of the 2015-16 academic year are listed here:

  Fall                  Spring

T Sept 15        M Feb 15         Identify on-campus mentor

Th Oct 1          T March 1        Name faculty committee  

Th Oct 15        T March 15      Rough draft of paper to mentor

T Nov 10         M April 11        Revised paper to committee

T Nov 24         M April 25        Oral committee presentation

Th Dec 10       F April 29         Public presentation

Th Dec 10       M May 2           Final, approved paper to Chair

Cannon River Clean-up & Sign-up

This is your chance to promote cleaner rivers and lakes and a healthier community that everyone can enjoy.

Saturday, September 19, 2013, 9 a.m. – 12 noon (lunch provided)

Meet at Vehicle Pick-up Area, Buntrock Commons promptly at 8:30 a.m.

We will walk as a group to the Sechler Park picnic shelter, but feel free to ride your bike or drive your own vehicle as well.

Please sign up by clicking on the link below so we can let the Cannon River Watershed sponsors know how many fantastic hot dogs from local grass fed beef they need to bring to feed us!

https://docs.google.com/a/stolaf.edu/forms/d/1oBCgdGCpFfOzn--4ItgcpwjU7c50umcyOCc42UsGW-Q/viewform?usp=send_form

Consider wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants and sturdy shoes or shorts and old shoes for wading if the river level goes down. We will have work gloves, bug spray and bags for trash. You will be asked to sign a release of liability by a volunteer of the Cannon River Watershed Partnership.

Contact Diane Angell in Biology and Environmental Studies with questions. angell@stolaf.edu

US EPA Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Winners - 2015

 

Chemistry plays an important role in generating and creating molecular based solutions to many environmental challenges.  The US EPA recently announced its  2015 award winners in green chemistry.  To learn more about each innovation as well as previous winners, click the link below.

http://www2.epa.gov/green-chemistry/presidential-green-chemistry-challenge-winners

ACS Directory of Graduate Research: UPDATED!

The American Chemical Society has updated their free, searchable online database (www.acs.org/dgrweb) that provides a comprehensive compilation of information on graduate study in the chemical sciences at North American universities.  This website also provides the ability to find NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REUs).  Two training videos on how to search the database are provided on the home page.

Here's what the ACS says about this site (my high-lighting):

The ACS Directory of Graduate Research (DGRweb) is the most comprehensive source of information on chemical research and researchers at universities in North America.

ACS DGRweb is a must-have for all academic institutions and chemical-related businesses as it:

• facilitates collaborations
• enables networking across chemical subdisciplines
• helps students with selecting graduate programs and research experiences for undergraduates

ACS DGRweb 2014 provides information on:

• 668 academic departments
• 8499 faculty members

and listings for:

• Chemistry
• Chemical Engineering
• Biochemistry
• Medicinal/Pharmaceutical Chemistry
• Polymers and Materials Sciencewww.acs.org/dgrweb
• Marine Science
• Toxicology
• Environmental Science

The data on the DGRweb have been supplied by the respective departments according to policies established by the ACS Committee on Professional Training. 

Entry-level positions in the analytical chemistry section, Forensic Science Services, BCA, St. Paul

From the Assistant Laboratory Director at the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, St. Paul:

In the near future 2 positions will be listed as "Forensic Scientist-1 Trainee."

https://statejobs.doer.state.mn.us/JobPosting

(Choose "Public Safety Dept" in the Department menu and click "Search" button at bottom of page.)

If you wish to be put on an email list to be notified of openings, check out the BCA website at:

https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/bca/Pages/careers.aspx

Look at the "Laboratory positions" statement.

There is also information about Forensic Laboratory Internships at the careers website, above.

US FDA - Recruiting Recent Graduates...

 

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration, Office of Regulatory Affairs is looking for recent graduates with science base degrees who are interested in a career as a Consumer Safety Officer.

ORA Supports FDA Product Centers by inspecting regulated products and manufacturers, conducting sample analysis on regulated products, and reviewing imported products offered for entry into the United States. This is a Recent Graduate position in the Pathways Program which is responsible for inspecting regulated products and manufacturers, conducting sample analysis on regulated products, and reviewing imported products offered for entry into the United States.

The vacancy announcement is scheduled to post on on the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) website at: https://my.usajobs.gov/ on June 8, 2015 with openings in Minneapolis, MN as well as other locations throughout the country.

REU in Environmental and Green Chemistry

​

Black Hills State University, Northern University and South Dakota State University have recently received funding from NSF for a new Research Experiences for  for Undergraduates (REU) Site focused on research in Green Chemistry and the Environmental Chemistry of Natural Environments. A description of the REU Site and the research projects that are available this summer can be found at http://www.sdstate.edu/chem/reu.cfm. 

This REU Site has 10 REU student fellowships available for Summer 2015 across the 3 participating universities. Each fellowship provides a 10-week stipend, a cost of living allowance, and a travel allowance to students selected to participate. Applications are now being accepted using an electronic application form. 

If students would like more information or have any questions they may contact me directly or the investigator identified with each project on the REU Site webpage.

Jim Rice, Professor & Head

Dept. of Chemistry & Biochemistry
South Dakota State University
Box 2202
Brookings, SD 57007-0896

Jim.Rice@sdstate.edu

Summer Internship

Summer Internship-Pharmaceutical Formulation Development

Are you looking for a challenging and rewarding summer internship?  Then, CIMA LABS, a wholly owned subsidiary of Teva Pharmaceuticals, is the place for you. CIMA LABS is a drug delivery technology company that develops and manufactures prescription and over-the-counter drug products using proprietary drug delivery technologies. 

As a summer intern, you will work in the Formulations Development Group.  The work comprises performing general formulation development activities associated with the development of new dosage forms and drug delivery systems.  These activities include the assembly and operation of processing equipment such as blenders, tablet presses, granulators, and coaters to manufacture formulations. The intern will also characterize the physical properties of the formulations, document the data in notebooks, and effectively present the data to the Formulations group.

We are seeking students who have demonstrated a strong academic record and the capability to perform well in a research environment. Candidates who have completed courses in chemistry, pharmacy, physics, statistics and/or calculus and who have previous lab experience are desired. Candidates should have completed at least six semesters of undergraduate work or be enrolled in graduate school.

If this internship opportunity is of interest to you, please email or fax your cover letter, resume, and college transcript (unofficial is acceptable) to Gladys Tripp by March 31, 2015.

CIMA LABS

7325 Aspen Lane North

Brooklyn Park, MN  55428

Fax: 763-488-4800

Email: gladys.tripp@cimalabs.com

MnTAP Internship - Deadline extended to 31 March 2015

The Minnesota Technical Assistance Program (MnTAP) is seeking junior or senior college students to work on waste reduction and energy efficiency projects at companies in Minnesota. In 2015, MnTAP is 13 summer projects in locations around the state. The application deadline has been extended until March 31, 2015 so there is still time for students to apply.

As a MnTAP intern, students will:

1. Determine how waste is currently produced in company processes.
2. Research and evaluate options for reducing waste.
3. Work with the company’s management and employees to determine feasibility of different waste reduction options.
4. Develop a cost comparison between the use of existing procedures and the new ones.
5. Write a final report and present project results.

The projects are at different companies and in different industries so project specifics will vary. Specific job descriptions for the 13 positions are posted on the MnTAP web site at: (http://mntap.umn.edu/intern/student_apply.htm).

Chemistry Seminar, March 5th, 3:15PM

Natural Biomarkers for Monitoring Bioenergetics in Living Cells

Ahmed A. Heikal

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Swenson College of Science and Engineering,

University of Minnesota-Duluth, MN, 55812, USA

Abstract: Reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) is a key cofactor in energy
metabolism pathways and a myriad of oxidation-reduction reactions in living cells.  NADH is
naturally fluorescent and its emission is rather sensitive to protein binding.  As a result, NADH
autofluorescence would allow for noninvasive and ultimately quantitative monitoring of energy
metabolism in living cells.  In this seminar, I will highlight our efforts in establishing NADH as a
natural biomarker for cellular energy metabolism, mitochondrial anomalies and related health
problems.  Macromolecular crowding effects on enzyme binding reactions with NADH will also
be discussed using a combination of both fluorescence microscopy and spectroscopy methods

Summer research opportunity

Students please visit the UNLV REU Site: Mechanisms of Evolution website. 

Undergraduate projects funded by the REU Site: Mechanisms of Evolution focus on biological processes that drive heritable change. The inspiration for this proposal is the celebrated essay, Nothing in Biology Makes Sense Except in the Light of Evolution by Theodosius Dobzhansky. The goals of this proposal are to provide undergraduates with hypothesis-based projects that investigate one or more mechanisms of evolution, promote careers in science and reinforce the connection between genetics and evolution.

Students from underrepresented groups and those that attend academic institutions with limited research opportunities, including two-year colleges are strongly encouraged to apply.

The grant provides a travel subsidy, housing and stipend.  

Visit https://faculty.unlv.edu/microreu for the application, a list of mentors and additional details.

Program dates: May 26-July 31

Application deadline: March 6, 2015

Tips for Scienitifc Talks, Posters, Papers, and Proposals

 

Over the years many of us have been asked or volunteered to talk with a variety of audiences about our work and our perspective as scientists on topics of the day.  In the not so distant future, you will need these skills as well.  The ability to tell a compelling, coherent, engaging story will serve you well.  Recently, Ronald Hites, editor of the ACS journal Environmental Science and Technology, wrote a piece that presents some suggestions on how to give scientific talks and posters and on how to get started writing research papers and proposals.  It is well worth the read and follow-up conversations with trusted mentors and friends.  Enjoy exploring the paper; oral and written communication play critical roles in daily life as well as one's work life.  For those having done summer research here at St. Olaf, many of the paper's take home messages should resonate!

Link:  http://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/es503552t

Summer chemistry opportunity

I am writing to request your assistance in identifying outstanding undergraduates who might be interested in, and qualified for, the ACS sponsored Nuclear and Radiochemistry Summer School Program.  We are seeking curious and highly motivated students with strong science backgrounds. If selected, these students receive an all-expense paid opportunity to complete a 6 week summer course in Nuclear and Radiochemistry in either California or New York. They also earn hours (tuition paid) of undergraduate chemistry credit through either San Jose State University or SUNY-Stony Brook.  Selected students also receive a stipend of $4,000.

An announcement for the Nuclear and Radiochemistry Summer Schools that can be posted is attached to this request. It describes the application procedure and the background we hope applicants will have when applying. This information and an on-line application form can also be found on the web at:

http://chemistry.missouri.edu/nucsummer/index.shtml

The deadline for applications is March 13, 2015. Please distribute this announcement to your undergraduate students and encourage them to consider this unique opportunity! If you or your students have any questions about the ACS sponsored program, please do not hesitate to contact me using the information below.

Thanks, in advance, for your assistance.

Sincerely yours,

J. David Robertson, National Director

ACS Summer Schools in Nuclear and Radiochemistry

Department of Chemistry

University of Missouri

Columbia, MO 65211

573-882-5346

robertsonjo@missouri.edu

Drug discovery summer internship

Summer Internship-Pharmaceutical Formulation Development

Are you looking for a challenging and rewarding summer internship?  Then, CIMA LABS, a wholly owned subsidiary of Teva Pharmaceuticals, is the place for you. CIMA LABS is a drug delivery technology company that develops and manufactures prescription and over-the-counter drug products using proprietary drug delivery technologies. 

As a summer intern, you will work in the Formulations Development Group.  The work comprises performing general formulation development activities associated with the development of new dosage forms and drug delivery systems.  These activities include the assembly and operation of processing equipment such as blenders, tablet presses, granulators, and coaters to manufacture formulations. The intern will also characterize the physical properties of the formulations, document the data in notebooks, and effectively present the data to the Formulations group.

We are seeking students who have demonstrated a strong academic record and the capability to perform well in a research environment. Candidates who have completed courses in chemistry, pharmacy, physics, statistics and/or calculus and who have previous lab experience are desired. Candidates should have completed at least six semesters of undergraduate work or be enrolled in graduate school.

If this internship opportunity is of interest to you, please email or fax your cover letter, resume, and college transcript (unofficial is acceptable) to Gladys Tripp by March 31, 2015.

CIMA LABS

7325 Aspen Lane North

Brooklyn Park, MN  55428

Fax: 763-488-4800

Email: gladys.tripp@cimalabs.com

CIMA QUALIFICATIONS Must have completed at least six semesters of undergraduate work towards a bachelor degree in chemistry, pharmacy, chemical engineering, or a related field, or be enrolled in or attending graduate school. Completion of courses in chemistry, physics, pharmacy, statistics and/or calculus is desired, as well as courses with laboratory experience. 

JOB REQUIREMENTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES Essential responsibilities will include the assembly and operation of processing equipment such as blenders, tablet presses, granulators, and coaters to manufacture formulations. The intern will also characterize the physical properties of the formulations, document the data in notebooks, and effectively present the data to the Formulations group. 

JUSTIFICATION The summer intern will work on a project related to abuse-deterrent new therapeutic entities (NTE). The project will include experimental work to further enhance the CIMA ADT-IR abuse-deterrent technology platform and/or to elucidate the mechanistic features of this platform. The position will run from mid/late May through mid/late August. The position will be treated in accordance with the Teva University Internship Program Policy. 

Carl Djerassi 1923-2015

In 1951, a little known chemist working at Syntex in Mexico City, achieved the first chemical synthesis of an oral contraceptive steroid.  Dr. Carl Djerassi went on to do a large variety of work aimed at benefiting the chemical sciences, forwarding graduate chemical education as a faculty member, and improving the relationship between science and society - especially the arts (literature and theatre).  We now celebrate a life well-lived.  For those interested, check out the links below or simply search the web, SciFinder Scholar, or Web of Knowledge for works and contributions by Djerassi.




http://www.cbsnews.com/news/carl-djerassi-father-of-birth-control-pill-dies/

Abbreviated Bio

TEDx Vienna (YouTube)

http://www.webofstories.com/play/carl.djerassi/1

http://www.djerassi.com/

http://cen.acs.org/content/cen/articles/83/i25/Oral-Contraceptives.html

Oxygen (the play!)
http://pubs.acs.org/isubscribe/journals/cen/79/i18/html/7918sci1.html