Category Chair Notes

Dear members,

As we reflect on the past year, I would like to begin by thanking Jackie and Max for their  outstanding leadership. Their dedication and accomplishments have set a high bar for our committee, and I am grateful for the strong foundation they have built.

My name is Jiyue Chen, and I received my PhD in Chemistry and Biochemistry from UC San Diego in 2024. My journey with ACS San Diego began about two years ago, when several Executive Committee members hosted a career panel on the UCSD campus. At the time, I was uncertain about my next steps and signed up seeking guidance. That event introduced me to many wonderful colleagues and mentors, and it marked the beginning of my involvement with ACS. Since then, I have regularly attended EC meetings and steadily increased my engagement.

Dear ACS San Diego Members,

As we turn the calendar to September, the fall season brings cooler days, new opportunities, and a chance to reflect on the history of our science. On September 28th, 1928, Alexander Fleming made the serendipitous observation of Penicillium notatum mold inhibiting bacterial growth—an insight that sparked the antibiotic revolution. Discoveries like this remind us how chemistry continually changes lives in profound ways.

Hello ACS San Diego Members,

Summer is nearly upon us here in San Diego, and with it comes fresh opportunities to connect, learn, and celebrate chemistry together. June is not only a time of transition but also a month rich with historical milestones in our field.

Dear valued members, As I welcome you into the month of August, I am sure many have recently returned from summer trips and/or are preparing themselves for fall semesters to begin. For those returning to studies or those who are entering…

Dear esteemed members,

I hope this message finds you all in great spirits and with a sense of fulfillment from our recent endeavors. I’d like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all the incredible volunteers who dedicated their time and effort to make our recent participation in the annual Creek to Bay Cleanup, hosted by I Heart and Clean San Diego, a success! I would especially like to thank, Juan Gonzalez-Gonzalez for being a stellar leader in conducting our ACS group at the Mission Valley site of the clean up. Over in Chula Vista, my group successfully planted more than 50 Chollas cacti, a native plant to the Otay region that is also the preferred home of the endangered cactus wren.