CHAIR NOTES

Dear esteemed members,

November has long been a month of discovery and reflection in the chemical sciences. On November 7, 1867, Marie Skłodowska Curie was born—a pioneer whose groundbreaking research on radioactivity earned her two Nobel Prizes and transformed our understanding of atomic science. Her legacy continues to inspire chemists around the world to push boundaries and pursue innovation with courage and curiosity.

October was a vibrant month for our section. We celebrated the Women’s Trailblazing Award Banquet on October 4th, recognizing extraordinary contributions by women in chemistry and their impact on the next generation of scientists. The event brought together members across academia and industry to honor leadership, mentorship, and scientific excellence. Later in the month, we launched the first installment of our new Career Development Seminar Series with Andrea Baldwin’s talk on “Project Management: The What, Why, and How.” It was a great success, sparking lively discussion on how chemists can apply project management principles to drive innovation.

Looking ahead, November brings two engaging professional development opportunities. On Thursday, November 13, we’ll host “Medical Writing: The What, Why, and How,” featuring Wing Tuet, PhD—an excellent chance to explore alternative career pathways that bridge science and communication. Click here.

Then on Thursday, November 20 at 6:30 PM, join us online for our next Food Chemistry Seminar, “Food Chemistry for a Sustainable and Safe Food Future,” presented by Professor Changqi Liu from San Diego State University. Dr. Liu will explore the chemistry of emerging sustainable food sources—such as plant proteins, edible insects, and microalgae—and how molecular insights into flavor, nutrition, and allergenicity are shaping the foods of tomorrow.

Finally, don’t forget to mark your calendars for our End-of-Year Celebration on December 2—always a wonderful time to come together, reflect on the year’s accomplishments, and look ahead to what’s next for our community. Click here

As always, thank you for staying active in ACS San Diego. Your participation in our picnics, banquets, and seminars keeps this section thriving. We also invite members to participate in our 2025 local section elections—a great opportunity to take on a leadership role, connect with peers, and help shape the future of our We look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events and celebrating another successful year in the San Diego chemistry community!

Warm regards,

Max Mahler and Jackie Trischman

Co-Chairs, ACS San Diego Section 

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