Commentary on California Green Chemistry Initiative

Check out Robert Bergman's commentary in the August 2010 issues of Forbes Magazine regarding California's proactive and regulatory structured Green Chemistry Initiative.

The science behind excess fat

The science behind excess fat

ACS Webinar: How Chemical Policy Reform Can Spur Green Chemistry

ACS Webinars: Green Chemistry & Sustainability Series

“How Chemical Policy Reform Can Spur Green Chemistry.” A short presentation followed by Q&A with speaker Richard Denison, Senior Scientist at Environmental Defense Fund.

In the wake of the largest Gulf oil disaster or public concern over the chemicals in a baby bottle, how will changing legislation affect chemical professionals? Public policy has the potential to transform the chemical industries and set a new course for the next decade. Join our speaker, Richard Denison, and learn about the latest Green Chemistry policy developments (Safe Chemicals Act/TSCA reform) and how they may affect chemical professionals, chemical industries, and the future of green chemistry.

Webinar Details

Date: Thursday, August 12, 2010

Time: 2:00-3:00 pm ET

What You Will Learn

• The policy context for advancing Green Chemistry – essentials you need to know
• How U.S. and international policy changes can support the development and use of greener chemicals
• How current policy is informing future legislation – Safe Chemicals Act/TSCA reform
• And much more…

Meet Your Expert

Richard A. Denison is a senior scientist at the Environmental Defense Fund. Dr. Denison has 25 years of experience in the environmental arena, specializing in chemicals policy and hazard, exposure, risk assessment and management for industrial chemicals and nanomaterials. He has published extensively and has testified before Congress many times regarding these issues. Dr. Denison currently serves on the National Research Council’s Board on Environmental Studies and Toxicology and on the Green Ribbon Science Panel for California’s Green Chemistry Initiative. He was a member of the National Pollution Prevention and Toxics Advisory Committee, which advised EPA’s toxics office. Previously, Dr. Denison was an analyst and assistant project director in the Oceans and Environment Program, Office of Technology Assessment, United States Congress. Dr. Denison received his Ph.D. in Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry from Yale University.

Free- to register go to http://acswebinars.org/denison

The Marty Blog from the Lindau Nobel Conference

This past June, St. Olaf College 2010 graduate and chemistry major, Michael Marty, joined Nobel Laureate and friend of the college, Peter Agre for the Lindau Nobel Laureate Conference. Michael put together a travelogue website to share his experience at the Lindau Nobel Laureate Conference. Enjoy reading!

http://sites.google.com/site/mytriptolindau/

WebWatch sites from BioTechniques magazine

Here are some of the web sites being promoted in the current issue of BioTechniques magazine. Lots of great info:

The Fooducate Blog Educate yourself about what you eat.

Organic Chemistry Information A University of Wisconsin site covering reactions, data, spectroscopy, organometallics, nomenclature, compounds, techniques, and other links.

This Week in Science Podcasts Internet radio podcasts on a huge variety of science topics from the northern lights to robotic world domination.

Global Healthmap Type in a disease and see a map showing its occurrences in the world. Can click on "Alerts from the last 3 days" to see dengue fever, measles, and salmonella news (as of 7/14). Also available "Oil Spill Related Alerts."

Everything to Know about Hummingbirds One click info source on these pleasant little hovercrafts.

Be careful: These sites comprise an infinite time-sink for some of us!

4 St. Olaf Students Awarded Medical School Scholarships by ELCA

Today, Dr. David Anderson received copies of letters from the Rev. Dr. Stanley Olson, the Executive Director of Vocation & Education for the ELCA, to four St. Olaf students who have been awarded medical school scholarships by the ELCA.

Lauren Seline, the Dr. George and Emma J. Torrison Medical Scholarship, $4,000
Lauren Henke, the Frederick W. Williams Medical Scholarship, $4,000
Ryan Hoel, the Frederick W. Williams Medical Scholarship, $4,000
Jacob Nelson, the Frederick W. Williams Medical Scholarship, $4,000

Lauren Seline was one of three recipients of the Torrison Scholarship this year.

Lauren Henke, Ryan Hoel, and Jacob Nelson are three of five recipients of the Williams Scholarship this year.

So, St. Olaf students won four of the eight Torrison and Williams scholarships awarded this year.

Congratulations on your success!

Chemistry and Independence Day Celebrations

The American Chemical Society has produced some great "Byte Size Science" videos about the chemistry associated with fireworks and barbeque for this summer and July 4th celebrations. Check out the videos at Byte Size Science. Be safe and have a great time!