In this issue
The April 2026 Chemical Bulletin 
PDF of the Latest Bulletin
https://chicagoacs.org/images/downloads/Chemical_Bulletin/2026_04_chembull.pdf
Next Meeting
50,60,70 Year member Recognition
In-Person Only
Saturday, April 25
12:00 noon - 3:00 PM
THE GREAT ESCAPE
Schiller Park, IL
Dr. Katherine L. Lee
ACS Board Director, District 1
“Lessons Learned in My Career
and ACS Journey"
ABSTRACT
ACS has been an integral part of my life as a chemist, starting in my first year of graduate school. Now, over 30 years later, in this talk I will reflect on my career in the pharmaceutical industry and how ACS has been part of this journey.
Program:
• 12:00 Noon Buffet Luncheon
• 1:00 PM Presentation by Dr. Lee
• 2:00 PM Recognition of our 50-, 60-, and 70-Year ACS Members
• 3:30 PM Program Concludes
Family-style Luncheon
- Soup of the day, garden tossed salad
- Mixed vegetables
- Roasted red potatoes, sliced Italian bread
- Butterroast sirloin of beef, broasted chicken, rigatoni with vodka cream sauce
- Ice cream sundae.
Coffee and assorted soda included.
Cash bar for alcoholic beverages.
Event VENUE, COST
Great Escape Restaurant
9540 W Irving Park Rd
Schiller Park, IL 60176
https://greatescaperestaurant.com/
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Rn9vSjbi33tugD8c9
$35 (ACS Members) / $40 (Non-ACS Members)
$15 (Students / Postdocs)
No charge for lecture-only attendance.
Parking on site
Served by Metra NCS Schiller Park station; Pace #303, #332
REGISTRATION
REGISTER NOW
Deadline To Register
12:00 noon, Wednesday, April 22
https://chicagoacs.starchapter.com/meet-reg1.php?id=241
Questions? Email us (info-at-chicagoacs.org) or contact us by phone (847-391-9091).
Meet the Speaker
Katherine L. Lee is an expert in drug discovery, including structure-based and fragment-based drug design; a leader in portfolio strategy and business operations; and a strategic and scientific advisor on small- and large-molecule programs, most recently at Pfizer, Inc., in Cambridge, MA. She earned a B.S., summa cum laude, with Distinction in Chemistry, from Yale University and a Ph.D. in organic chemistry at MIT before completing a postdoc at the University of Texas at Austin. Her career in the pharmaceutical industry includes several years leading teams in medicinal chemistry and small-molecule drug discovery, as well as in strategy and operations. Katherine has been District I Director on the American Chemical Society Board of Directors since 2019.
Take the ACS Chicago Family Feud Survey!
Be part of history by participating in the ACS Chicago Family Feud Survey. The answers will be shared at the ACS Fall Meeting in Chicago August 23–27, 2026.
https://tinyurl.com/ChiACS-FamilyFeud2026
Letter from the Chair
You might have wondered why my newsletter last month was not dedicated to women chemists and their achievements since March celebrates Women’s History Month. However, April celebrates Earth Month with the designated ACS 150th Anniversary theme: Sustainability. So, my message will honor women who seek to fulfill present needs without imperiling humankind’s future. Like Mother Nature, women chemists of Chicago protect and enhance our lives, including nurturing and mentoring young women chemists.
A resident of Hull House, Alice Hamilton (photo below) became interested in industrial chemistry as she observed workers overcome by carbon monoxide in the steel mills or poisoned by lead in paint factories. Called the Mother of Occupational Medicine, she pioneered industrial health and safety and encouraged others to join what was considered a woman’s career. In 2002 the ACS designated her work at Hull House as a National Historic Chemical Landmark. Her efforts helped lead Congress to pass the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA).
Alice Hamilton
An industrial research chemist, Hoylande Young’s (photo below) resume includes her studies at Chicago’s Toxicity Research Laboratory, where she compiled reports on chemical warfare during World War II and performed editorial work for the Atomic Energy Commission. As the first woman chair of the Chicago Section of the ACS, she mentored chemists by establishing the Distinguished Service Award.
Holyande Young
A chemist and the President of Cedar Concepts Corporation, Linda McGill-Boasmond (photo below) established the first and only chemical manufacturing plant in the United States owned by an African American woman. Her eco-friendly facility produces oils and lubricants for beauty products and Boeing engines. Committed to the wider community, she supports Girls4Science, a program to empower girls to study science.
Linda McGill-Boasmond
What on earth are you going to do during Earth Month 2026 to sustain both Nature and future chemists? Why not start by making everyday Earth Day? Share with me your accomplishments so we can celebrate the ACS Chicago Section membership.
— AMY BALIJA
Save the Date - Following Meeting
115th Willard Gibbs Medal Award Banquet and Lecture
Stephen L. Buchwald
Department of Chemistry
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
"Palladium-catalyzed Carbon-
Nitrogen Coupling Reactions:
How Did We get Here
and Why do We Care?"
When: Friday, May 15, 2026
Where: Meridian Banquets
1701 Algonquin Road, Rolling Meadows, IL 60008
The Chicago Section of American Chemical Society is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2026 Willard Gibbs Medal, Prof. Stephen L. Buchwald. This award is presented annually to a distinguished scientist who is selected by a jury of esteemed professionals, including past recipients. The selection is chaired each year by the Chair-Elect of the Chicago ACS Section.
Cross-coupling methodology to form carbon-nitrogen bonds is an indispensable part of the everyday repertoire of synthetic organic chemistry. The development of mechanistic schemes for this transformation will be discussed. This methodology has been widely employed throughout academia and industry.
REGISTER HERE:
https://chicagoacs.starchapter.com/meetinginfo.php?id=243
Recent Meeting
Dr. Giordan Aims for Greater Trust
The Chicago Section hosted another first-rate — and well-attended — program on the evening of March 13, 2026 at Loyola University Chicago. The featured speaker was Dr. Judith Giordan, former ACS President and currently VP and managing director of ecosVC, a venture development and investment firm. Giordan presented a dynamic and thought-provoking talk entitled, “Where Has the Trust Gone: Changing Attitudes in America’s Trust in Science and Scientists.” In contrast with the scientific communication of technical data, science communication is about informing, educating, and raising awareness of science-related topics among the general public. We need to remember that trust-building is a two-way street, said Giordan. We must also develop a confident mindset for communicating positive messages about science. The American Chemical Society offers resources to help us counter the decline in trust.
Section Chair Amy Balija did a masterful job as emcee, including the raffling-off of chemistry themed gifts, with the aid of a clever projected virtual wheel to select the winners. The evening also gave us the opportunity to celebrate several special milestones, including ACS at150, Women’s History Month, and Pi Day.
At the start of the program, Giordan thanked each of the Chicago Section officers by name, and afterwards she expressed her gratitude to the Chicago Section on LinkedIn, writing “Thank you all at the ACS Chicago Section for the invitation and for a great evening!!!! … See you in August for the Fall ACS meeting!” One participant thanked Judy (on LinkedIn) for highlighting the lower trust in science nowadays among the different age groups, especially in today's environment where social media often overpowers accurate science communication.
Pre-lecture boxed lunch supper in Loyola University's Quinlan Hall.
Judy (right) and Amy (left) in action.
Virtual wheel with participant names.
Photo credits: Ilana Lemberger
QUOTE: "Here’s the good news: periods of disruption also create space for reflection, growth, and positive change. In moments like these, we have a powerful opportunity to rebuild trust—starting with science and scientists." — Judith Giordan
Younger Chemists Host Joint Program
The Younger Chemists Committee (YCC) of the Chicago Section hosted its first event of 2026, the Younger Chemists Social, at Loyola University Chicago (LUC) on Saturday, March 7th. The gathering was held in partnership with Loyola ChemScholars, also known as LUC Chemistry Scholars. According to their website, ChemScholars is focused on helping Loyola students ace their chemistry classes. "We're here to give students the support they need to face tough classes with confidence, not fear”, says Elhan Martinovic, Founder and President.
The event provided an opportunity for early-career chemists and students to connect with the Chicago Section and build professional networks. The 13 chemists in attendance included both new and returning participants. During the program, attendees were actively networking and making connections with one another on LinkedIn.
—Gowri Kuda-Singappulige, Co-chair, Chicago Section YCC
For their next outing the younger chemists will meet at Max Lager’s Wood-Fired Grill & Brewery in Atlanta, GA.
Chemistry Humor
2D or not 2D?
Flat is the question.
Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of the outrageous
Limitations of graphene,
Or to take arms against a sea of ordered anthracenes,
And by photoirradiation polymerize them?
C’mon, it’s not that Bard…
From the website of chemist Stuart Cantrill
•
Younger Chemists Committee
Younger Chemists Dive Into Soap
Chicago Section ACS YCC & DePaul Chemistry Club Present:
THE CHEMISTRY OF SOAP
By Dr. Shelby Hatch
WHEN: SATURDAY, APR 18™H, 4-5PM
WHERE: DEPAUL STUDENT CENTER, 3RD FLOOR,
2250 N SHEFFIELD AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60614
RESERVE YOUR PLACE NOW!
RSVP required, deadline is 11:59 April 15'th (Weds)
RSVP BY SCANNING THE QR CODE BELOW
(or navigate to: https://tinyurl.com/ycc-chemistryofsoap2026 )
Soap image: pexels-mikhail-nilov-7814647
ACS Resources
ACS DIVISIONS:
NEW ENFL MEMBERS SOUGHT
The Energy and Fuels (ENFL) Division of the American Chemical Society cordially invites new members to join. Watch the 2-minute introductory video.
- Mission: To advance energy innovation and education to address the earth’s challenges
- Vision: Driving a sustainable and equitable energy future
We are also seeking enthusiastic volunteers to assist the ENFL Program Committee with the 2026 Fall ACS National Meeting in Chicago. To help coordinate ENFL sessions and activities at the national level, please reach out to Dr. Sajid Liu at sajid.liu-at-tamuk.edu. Interested in Joining the ENFL Division? Use this form or scan the QR code for more information.
https://tinyurl.com/register4ENFL
Interested in volunteering with the Chicago Section ACS? Get in touch with the Section Chair by emailing
chair-at-chicagoacs.org
From the Editor's Desk
Dear Readers,
The red cityscape below represents a version of the Atlanta “Coca-Cola” themed skyline, as photographed inside the Georgia World Congress Center. The GWCC was the venue for the Spring ACS National Meeting—where signs of the 150th anniversary celebration were all around. Look for weblinks in the next bulletin issue for the recorded lectures of three Nobel laureates—Jennifer Doudna, Moungi Bawendi, and Omar Yaghi. Be sure to mark May 15 on your calendar for the 115th awarding of the Willard Gibbs Medal and, if possible, invite a younger chemist to join you. The Chicago Section is fortunate to have on offer top-quality programs, thanks to the indefatigable efforts of our Program, Arrangements, Gibbs, Outreach and Education, and Younger Chemists Committees.
By way of reminder, all are invited to participate in any of the events listed in these pages. If you have an idea for a speaker, program, or other initiative, or if you would like to volunteer, please send a message to chair-at-chicagoacs.org. (For additional contact information see page 12.) Volunteers are especially needed for the upcoming National ACS Meeting in Chicago in August. As with any organization, we are all enriched by the talent and dedication of “new blood.” Thank you for “subscribing” to The Chemical Bulletin through your Chicago Section membership. I hope you enjoy this issue.
— MARGARET E. SCHOTT
Recent National Meeting
Scenes from Atlanta
Several members of the Chicago Section traveled to Atlanta, GA to attend the Spring 2026 National ACS Meeting., which took place March 21–25 at the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) and nearby hotel venues. Atlanta’s springlike outdoor environment was a welcome change from chillier Chicago. The enormous size of the convention center, on the other hand, posed a challenge for those traversing between different meeting rooms and lecture halls!
Attendees at the ice cream reception hosted by the International Activities Committee (IAC) including (top row, left to right) Past ACS President Mary Carroll, Daniela Andrei, and Anita Mehta.
Russ Johnson (left) and a fellow participant at the IAC reception.
Left to right: Satomi Niwayama, Josh Kurutz, Anita Mehta, Amy Balija, Dan Rabinowitz, and Ana Clara Leal after the ACS Council Meeting.
ChemShorts for Kids
Bottle Bubble
Introduction:
You may have noticed that gas prices have been going up. It turns out that they always go up in the spring because the gasoline that is provided in the winter is different than the fuel provided at other times of the year. Why? A simple bubble experiment will show us.
Materials:
- Transparent bottle (glass or plastic) – the bottom of it must be able to fit into the bowls of water
- Dish soap (1 tsp with 1 tbsp water – 1 tsp of corn syrup would enhance the strength of the bubble)
- Bowl of hot water
- Bowl of ice water
Safety:
The hot water can come from an electric kettle, microwave oven or even tap water, but care must be taken to avoid getting burned.
Experiment:
Once the dish soap mixture is stirred well, tip the bottle upside down into it and make sure that there is a layer of soap film covering the opening of the bottle.
Place the bottom of the bottle into the hot water and see what happens. Then, place the bottom of the bottle into the ice water and notice any changes. You can go back and forth between the containers. If the bubble breaks, simply get a new layer formed by putting it back into the soap mixture.
What’s Happening?
ChemShorts, as recently as January 2023 showed an experiment very similar to this one. In it we find that as the temperature of the air goes up, the air molecules speed up and as they do so they take up more space. If the molecules take up more space, this will cause the bubble to force its way up and out of the bottle.
Likewise, as the temperature cools, the molecules get closer together and the bubble will be pushed inside the bottle. What does this experiment have to do with cars? A car needs to have a specific amount of gasoline molecules in the combustion chamber, the gas companies put lower boiling point molecules (like cheap butane) into the gasoline mixture in the winter and higher boiling point molecules into the gasoline in the summer.
Extension/Final Notes:
Does the size of your bottle make a difference? Does it make a difference if your water levels are higher or lower?
Resources:
https://lsc.org/news-and-social/news/bubbles-move
https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a15339380/the-vapor-rub-summer-versus-winter-gasoline-explained/
To view past “ChemShorts for Kids” activities, go to:
https://chicagoacs.org/ChemShorts.
— PAUL BRANDT
Chemists Celebrate Earth Week
April 19–25, 2026
Theme: Into The Woods With Chemistry
This year the Chicago Section tried something a bit different this year for Chemists Celebrate Earth Week (CCEW). A few volunteers went to a handful of elementary schools to provide activities, supplies and mentoring for the 2026 CCEW theme of “Into the Woods”. Kids were able to do activities about reading tree cookies*, growing your own forest, performing paper chromatography, protecting trees from a fire, recycling paper, etc. Everyone had fun learning about forest-related chemistry. Other activities celebrated the 150th anniversary year of ACS.
The Section is still accepting entries for the Illustrated Poem Contest. See the online instructions and use the Google form to submit your entry (https://forms.gle/AUMjp4ga8mBwYJi57). If you are unable to submit your illustrated poem using the form, you may email it to community-at-chicagoacs.org. Winners will receive gift cards.
In addition, we are working on an event for Navy Pier that will include kids of all ages. Please look for a call-out from the Section for volunteers. More information will be coming soon.
If you have time, please consider taking a walk in one of our beautiful Chicago-area Forest Preserves. You might even think about picking up some litter or volunteering to help prune or clean up areas with invasive species. There are so many things you can do to help the Section bring chemistry to all!
—SHERRI RUKES, Education and Outreach Chair
*For information about this activity, see Reading Between the Circles, an article about the chemistry of tree rings written by Sherri Rukes for Celebrating Chemistry.
Upcoming Events
ACS Webinars
Link to Webinars: https://www.acs.org/acs-webinars.html
• FREE Live weekly broadcasts for the general public using a free ACS ID.
• Exclusive edited recordings and webinar summaries for ACS members.
Paving the Way with Plastic: How Chemistry is Building Roads from Ocean Debris
April 9
1:00 PM CST | 2:00 PM EST
•
SciComm 101: How to Clearly Communicate Your Science
April 29
1:00 PM CST | 2:00 PM EST
•
Navigating Career Disruption:
Reframe, Adapt, Reengineer
March 5
(recorded)
Scripps Front Row Lecture Series
ALL: Wednesday 4:00 pm PST / 6:00 pm CST
“From molecule to medicine: New therapies for heart disease, cancer, and global health”
Sean joseph, PhD | April 22
•
“Advancing the vision: An experiment in rethinking the nonprofit biomedical research model”
Peter Schultz, PhD | May 20
Reserve your Zoom seats at:
https://frontrow.scripps.edu/
Past lectures may be viewed online
CHICAGO SECTION BOARD MEETINGS
Open to all Section members. For Zoom link, contact: office-at-chicagoacs.org
2026: April 9, May 14, June 11, August 7, Sep 13, October 8, Nov 12, Dec 3
•
Deadlines for Bulletin Submissions
Deadline for bulletin submissions is the 16th of each month. Content can include photos, reports, past event summaries, flyers and information for upcoming events, original articles, current chemistry, etc. Contact editor-at-chicagoacs.org. Thank you!
April 16th for May issue, May 16th for June issue
Chicago ACS Section Programs
https://chicagoacs.org/meetinginfo.php
|
April 18, 2026 Depaul University, |
Younger Chemists Committee: "The Chemistry of Soap" with Dr. Shelby Hatch (see above for details) |
|
Saturday, April 25, 2026 The Great Escape, |
Senior Chemists Luncheon with Dr. Katherine Lee ("Lessons Learned in My Career and ACS Journey"), plus celebration of our 50-, 60-, and 70-year ACS members. (see above for details) |
|
Friday, May 15, 2026 Meridian Banquets, |
Gibbs Medal Lecture & Banquet, celebrating medalist Prof. Stephen L. Buchwald of MIT |
|
Jun / Jul |
(TBD Family-friendly event) |
|
Aug 23 - 27, 2026 McCormick Place, |
Chicago Section to host Fall ACS National Meeting of the American Chemical Society |
| Sept & Oct
|
(TBD) Monthly Programs |
|
Nov 6 Northwestern University |
Basolo Medal Lecture at Northwestern University, with dinner to follow, celebrating medalist Prof. Kimoon Kim |
Please also refer to the Section’s website chicagoacs.org/meetinginfo.php and social media accounts
FALL ACS NATIONAL MEETING IN CHICAGO
AUGUST 23–27, 2026
Board & Committee Members
2026 Chicago ACS Section Officials
|
Chair Chair-Elect Past Chair Vice Chair Secretary Treasurer |
Amy Balija Inessa Miller Anita Mehta Sunshine Silver Michael Koehler Russ Johnson |
|
|
Directors |
2025-2026 Daniela Andrei 2026-2027 Ken Fivizzani |
directors-at-chicagoacs.org |
|
Councilors |
2024-2026 Paul Brandt 2025-2027 Josh Kurutz 2026-2028 Amy Balija |
councilors-at-chicagoacs.org |
|
Alternate |
2024-2026 Avrom Litin 2025-2027 Katie Leach 2026-2028 Nicolas Gerst |
altcouncilors-at-chicagoacs.org |
* One vacancy to be filled by the Board
Masthead
Bulletin Information
April 2026, Vol. 113, No. 4
Published monthly (10 issues, Sept – Jun) by the Chicago Section of the American Chemical Society
https://chicagoacs.org
Editor: Margaret E. Schott
editor-at-chicagoacs.org
Digital Editor: Josh Kurutz
historian-at-chicagoacs.org
Proofreaders: Nicolas Gerst, Amy Balija
How to reach us
office-at-chicagoacs.org (847) 391-9091
ACS Chicago Section Office
Krasa 035B and C
5700 College Road
Lisle, IL 60532
Website: https://chicagoacs.org
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