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.

On June 1, 1902, Hermann Emil Fischer, renowned for his work on the chemistry of purines and sugars, received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. His contributions laid foundational knowledge for understanding biomolecules. Also notable was in June 1783, Antoine Lavoisier made a crucial discovery: he demonstrated that water is not an element, but rather a compound of oxygen and hydrogen. This discovery was a significant step in his ongoing work to reform chemistry and is considered a major component of his Chemical Revolution. Finally, June 10, 1752, marks the date Benjamin Franklin is believed to have conducted his legendary kite experiment, forever linking electricity and scientific curiosity.

This month, we’re especially excited to welcome back Dr. Nicholas Meanwell for a redo of the lecture “Inhibitors of HIV-1 Attachment”. The previous session was unfortunately cut short due to technical difficulties, but Dr. Meanwell has graciously agreed to return. The rescheduled talk will take place on Thursday, June 19th at 6 PM (virtual). If you missed the first one or want to take a deeper dive into this important area of medicinal chemistry, we highly encourage you to attend. Register here.

Looking back at May, we were pleased to host a successful virtual event on the Chemistry of Wildfires, which drew 22 participants, including members of the Hawaii Section and even some prospective chemistry students. The discussion covered not only the combustion chemistry and atmospheric impacts of wildfires, but also broader environmental concerns and mitigation strategies. Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to a rich and engaging conversation, and a huge thanks to Dr. Matthew Kromer for leading the lecture! 

We were also able to host a successful live event that was put on by our Women’s Chemist Committee. This event was entitled Kundalini Yoga for Women Chemists and provided participants with a relaxing yoga session, followed by some time to socialize and enjoy refreshments. Special thanks to Jiyue Chen, chair of the Women’s Chemist Committee, for organizing and managing this event! We look forward to future fun events like this from our wonderful sub-committees.

As we move into June, we remain committed to delivering programming that is scientifically enriching, community-oriented, and inclusive. Whether it’s spotlighting interesting advancements in chemistry, advancing conversations around hot current events, or creating educational spaces for current and future members, your presence and participation make all the difference.

If you're interested in getting more involved with the section—whether through volunteering, event planning, or joining one of our committees—please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’d love to help you find a role that matches your interests and schedule.

Here’s to an energizing and inspiring start to summer!

Warm regards,

Max Mahler and Jackie Trischman

Co-Chairs, ACS San Diego Section