Category Chair Notes Archive

Dear ACS San Diego Members,

October has always been a month of breakthroughs in chemistry. On October 23, 1876, the German chemist Wilhelm Ostwald—later a Nobel Prize winner—was born; his pioneering work in catalysis and chemical equilibria continues to shape our field today. Fittingly, October 23 is now celebrated worldwide as Mole Day, commemorating Avogadro’s number (6.02 × 10²³) and offering chemists a playful way to share our science. On October 9, 1803, English chemist John Dalton formally presented his atomic theory, establishing the foundation of modern chemistry and fundamentally changing how we understand matter. These milestones remind us of chemistry’s enduring impact across generations.

Dear ACS San Diego Members,

August marks a transitional moment as summer winds down and we gear up for a new season of events and engagement. It’s also a month with several noteworthy milestones in the history of chemistry. On August 1, 1774, Joseph Priestley famously identified oxygen gas after heating mercuric oxide—an experiment that would later play a critical role in the development of modern chemistry and our understanding of combustion. On August 12, 1865, German chemist Adolf von Baeyer published early research on indigo dye synthesis, laying the foundation for what would become a major advancement in the chemical industry. These moments remind us how far the field has come—and how much innovation still lies ahead.

Dear ACS San Diego Members,

As we enter the heart of summer, July offers us not only sunshine and warmth but also a chance to reflect on some pivotal moments in the history of chemistry. On July 3, 1826, French chemist Antoine-Jérôme Balard announced the discovery of bromine, element 35, to the Académie des Sciences in Paris—marking a significant addition to the halogen family. Additionally, on July 27, 1921, Sir Frederick Banting and Dr. Charles Best successfully isolated insulin at the University of Toronto—an achievement that revolutionized the treatment of diabetes and has saved countless lives.

Hello ACS San Diego Members,

Spring is in full swing here in San Diego, and with it comes a new wave of energy and events for our local section. May holds a special place in the history of chemistry. On May 20, 1891, the pioneering chemist Maria Skłodowska-Curie earned her degree in physics from the Sorbonne, beginning a legendary career that would lead to the discovery of polonium and radium. Another key moment came on May 12, 1905, when Albert Einstein submitted his first paper on special relativity, a theoretical framework that would transform our understanding of atomic and subatomic interactions. And on May 26, 1931, Irving Langmuir, known for his work on surface chemistry, was awarded the Perkin Medal, underscoring his influence in both physical chemistry and industrial applications. As we transition into May, I’m excited to share some updates and opportunities to connect, learn, and recharge.

Hello ACS San Diego Members,

March was an incredibly exciting month for San Diego when it comes to chemistry! With Spring officially started, there should be a lot more fun on the horizon. Here is a brief look at what went on these last few weeks:

We were proud to host the ACS Spring 2025 National Meeting & Expo right here in San Diego. This event brought thousands of chemists together to share groundbreaking research, connect with colleagues, and engage in rich discussions across a wide range of disciplines. A special thank you to everyone who helped make the event a success—from attendees to volunteers, your contributions truly showcased the strength and vibrancy of our local section. I would like to extend a special thanks to Marta Vuckovic, Sharai Mendez, Daphne Figueroa, Connie Weaver, Junhua Fan, Ferezhin Iazaro, Anil Shrestha, Fasil Tadesse, Neal Langerman, David Wallace, James Shih, Myra Gupta, Surya K De, Ryan Smith, Jiyue Chen and everyone else who came together to ensure that the local section booth was staffed and represented all week long.

Dear Members of the American Chemical Society,

January was a very busy month, especially with the ACS Leadership Conference happening in Houston, Texas. Jiyue and I traveled there to deepen our knowledge of the ACS and make connections with other ACS leaders. It was a great experience, which I recommend to anyone else who is interested in taking on a higher role within the ACS. It was also a great chance to meet some of the chairs from other nearby areas, such as Riverside and Orange County. Everyone left excited to return to our respective sections and put our new knowledge to use. There is also a lot of excitement looking towards next year and the celebration of the ACS 150th anniversary.

Dear San Diego ACS Community,

It is with an abundance of both gratitude and humility that Jackie and I take over the position of Chair for our local community. Filling in Christina’s shoes is a tall order, but at least there are two of us! As Christina Vialva steps down, I want to extend immense appreciation for everything she has built up over the past year, and I am excited to continue working with her in a different capacity for 2025.

In this newsletter, I am beyond honored to have served as your San Diego ACS chair for the 2024 year. As my term comes to a close, I want to express my sincere gratitude for the opportunity to serve in this Local Section. When I first stepped into the position as an undergraduate, I never imagined how much I could learn and grow, both personally and professionally, over a retrospectively short period of time. Over the past year, I have had the privilege of overseeing a full slate of events and initiatives aimed at strengthening our chapter, promoting professional development, and engaging with the broader scientific community. 

Pleasant greetings, San Diego!

If you celebrated it, how was your Halloween? I know mine involved a lot of candy (maybe a little too much candy…).

As we step into November, I’d like to express my gratitude to all who take a moment to read these notes. Truthfully, you are what has continuously inspired and educated me throughout my experience as your chair. November is election month; but not just for the president. Our Local Section ACS elections are coming your way! If you are a voting member, please keep an eye out for our Local Section election ballot emails! The voting period for this year’s election will be from November 7 to November 21st, 2024, and will be accounted for electronically. Your voice matters, and we want to make sure it’s accounted for as we elect our new 2025 San Diego ACS elected officials! Also, plan to stay tuned for our last meeting of the year, combo’d as our End-of-Year Holiday Party, held on Thursday, December 5th, at The Butcher Shop Steakhouse, to hear our election results!