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!

Also in these notes, I’d like to take a moment to reflect on some recent events that have not only highlighted our community’s commitment to diversity and inclusion but also celebrated outstanding contributions to the field of chemistry.

First, I’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated in our recent DEIR event, "Queer in STEM: A Historical Quandary." The discussions were not only enlightening but also profoundly moving. It was inspiring to see our members engage with the rich history and ongoing challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in the STEM fields. The diverse perspectives shared during this event reinforced our commitment to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone, regardless of gender identity, feels valued and empowered to contribute.

Additionally, I want to highlight the success of our recent Distinguished Scientist Award Dinner. Liangfang Zhang is truly a trailblazer in science, and I hope to continue to hear about the continued work around his amazing cellular nanoparticles. It was also an honor to commemorate some of our Local Sections leaders during the dinner, as our MedChem Symposium Co-Chairs received accolades as Outstanding Committee Chairs of the Year. Thank you, David Wallace, Tao Wu, Fleur Ferguson, Mark Tichenor, and Ben Pratt, for your outstanding work! I believe I can speak on behalf of the Section when I say we can’t wait for next year’s program! And, of course, I can’t end this section without commenting on Jiyue

Chen as our recipient of this year’s Tony Bottone Volunteer of the Year Award! Thank you, Jiyue, for coming into our Local Section as a beacon that has illuminated our Women Chemists Committee, co-coordinated multiple events with our team, and is committed to continuing your work into the not-so-distant 2025 year.

As we approach the holiday season for many who observe it, I want to wish each of you a positive and safe time with your loved ones. Together, we are making strides toward a more inclusive and vibrant scientific community.

Warm regards,

Christina Vialva