Philadelphia 2008: NOBCChE Annual Meeting Information
NOBCChE News OnLine February 2008 Vol. 38, No. 1
Dr. Saundra Y. McGuire, LSU Presidential Mentoring Award Recipient
About NOBCChE
The National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE) resulted from an April 1972 Ad Hoc Committee for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers. The committee was assisted financially by a grant of $850 provided by the Haas Community Fund, and a $400 grant administered through Drexel University. NOBCChE was incorporated in 1975 under the laws of the State of Georgia and has tax-exempt status (501(c )(3)) as a non-profit professional society. Since its inception, NOBCChE has grown in size to approximately 4,000 members, who are distributed over five regions – Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, Southwest, and West – that contain both professional and student chapters. NOBCChE’s first national meeting was held in March 1974 in New Orleans. Dr. William Guillory, one of NOBCChE’s seven founders, was elected the first President at that meeting. The organization has held national meetings every year since then. The national meetings provide opportunities for Black chemists and chemical engineers to discuss issues of significance to their careers, to present technical papers, to mentor high schoolers, undergraduates and graduates in the areas of science and technology, and to present several fellowships to deserving graduate students. The first graduate fellowship was established by the Proctor & Gamble Company in 1976. This was followed in 1980 by the Kodak Fellowship Award and in 1990 by the DuPont Company Fellowship Award. In recent years additional graduate fellowships have been established by GlaxoSmithKline, and the Dow Chemical Company. A new joint National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST) - University of Maryland – NOBCChE fellowship began in 2007. To date, more than one million dollars have been distributed through these fellowships. In addition, national meetings serve as occasions to recognize professional members through the Percy L. Julian Professional Achievement Award and the Dr. Henry C. McBay Outstanding Teacher Award. Professor McBay, who was one of NOBCChE’s seven founders, taught chemistry at Morehouse College until his death at the age of 80. NOBCChE also administers the Henry A. Hill Lectureship sponsored by the Northeast Section of the American Chemical Society. NOBCChE is committed to the discovery, transmittal, and application of knowledge in the fields of science and engineering. The mission of NOBCChE therefore is to build an eminent community of scientists and engineers by increasing the number of minorities in these fields. NOBCChE attempts to achieve its mission through diverse programs designed to foster professional development and encourage students to pursue careers in science and technical fields. To this end, NOBCChE has established educational partnerships with school districts, municipalities, businesses, industries, other institutions and organizations in the public and private sectors. For more information, visit the NOBCChE website at www.nobcche.org.
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Volume 38 Number 1, Winter 2008
REGIONAL/CHAPTER NEWS Southwest
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NNOL BLACK HISTORY SALUTE Leland Melvin, Astronaut/Chemist 12 Dr. Kahn-Mayberry, NASA Scientist 19 Dr. Saundra McGuire, LSU
NNOL HEALTH REPORT African Americans and the HIV/AIDS Epidemic
IN THIS ISSUE About NOBCChE Editor’s Comments President's Message NOBCChE Contacts Future Conference Dates
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SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE NEWS NOBCChE 2008 Updates 20 Conference At A Glance 21 AM 35 Conference Workshops 24
NOBCChE NEWS MAKERS Dr. Victor McCrary Inducted into DVDA Hall of Fame Ella Davis, Interim Executive Director Dr. Paula Hammond MIT Bayer Professor Dr. Neville Holder Retires
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Dr. Saundra McGuire, LSU, Receives Presidential Medal
NNOL MEMBER SPOTLIGHT Mr. Mel Poulson
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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT NASA Summer Faculty Research 26 Automatic Savings Plan 28
KUDOS KORNER
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COVER STORY
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NOBCChE News Online (NNOL) NOBCChE National Office P.O. Box 77040 Washington, DC 20013 (202) 667-1699 or (800) 776-1419 ISSN 1932-8141 Editor: Anthony Dent, Ph.D Editorial Staff: Sandra Mitchell, LaToya Myles, Ph.D., and Gerald Roberts Weatherspoon, Ph.D.
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Editor's Comments Top Ten Reasons to Come to Philly in March
Dr. Tony Dent
The Winter issue of NNOL is traditionally about the coming annual conference which is scheduled for Philadelphia the week of March 16th. Since February is when our nation celebrates Black history, you will find coverage of that topic as well. Please take note of President McCrary’s welcoming comments as they pertain to AM 35. In support of his message and in deference to David Letterman, we hope you enjoy our reasons for coming to this year’s annual conference.
Top Ten Reasons to Come to Philly in March # 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Reason Philly has great TastyCakesR Desserts (but no Hostess cupcakes). It’s the only place that you can dine at BookbindersTM (but bring along your banker). The Liberty Bell and Independence Hall are located here. And Rocky Balboa’s stature. It's on your way from New York if you work in Washington, DC (or vice versa). Chinatown and the Reading Terminal offer great eating venues. Get your Philly Cheese- Steak at Reading Terminal. NOBCChE is holding their 35th Annual Meeting (AM 35) at the Downtown Marriott. If you attend NOBCChE's AM 35, you'll get to meet old friends or make new ones. If you attend NOBCChE's AM 35, you'll get to meet James E. West, 2006 National Technology medalist. He’s the reason why you “can hear me now.” If you stay through Friday, you'll get to see tomorrow's scientists today. If you attend NOBCChE's AM 35, you'll discover our Chemistory.
Our cover story focuses on the recognition of Dr. Saundra McGuire for her mentoring efforts at Louisiana State University and before that at Cornell University. Professor McGuire was honored with a Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics & Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM). Dr. McGuire was the only chemist among 10 individuals who won the awards. There is a long list of former students who achieved their career goals because of her efforts and understanding. This award underscores the importance of mentoring in STEM programs. Our Black History candidate is a case in point for positive results from mentoring. Astronaut Leland Melvin may never have become a chemist or an astronaut without the advice he received from his professors.
Tony Dent newsmagazine@nobcche.org Views expressed within this editorial are those of the authors and not the views of NOBCChE.
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President President
Victor R. R. McCrary, McCrary, Ph.D. Ph.D. Victor The Johns Johns Hopkins Hopkins University University The Applied Physics Physics Laboratory Laboratory Applied Laurel, MD MD Laurel, Vice-President Vice-President John Harkless, Harkless, Ph.D. Ph.D. John Howard University University Howard Washington, DC DC Washington, Secretary Secretary Sharon J. J. Barnes, Barnes, MBA/HRM MBA/HRM Sharon The Dow Dow Chemical Chemical Company Company The Freeport, TX TX Freeport, Treasurer Treasurer Lolita Grant, Grant, CPA CPA Lolita Grant and and Associates Associates Grant Atlanta, GA GA Atlanta, National Student Student Representative Representative National
Sean S. S. Gant Gant Sean
University of of Michigan Michigan University Ann Harbor, Harbor, MI MI Ann Midwest Regional Regional Chair Chair Midwest Judson L L Haynes, Haynes, III, III, Ph.D. Ph.D. Judson The Procter Procter and and Gamble Gamble Company Company The Mason, OH OH Mason,
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE:
NOBCCHE 35th Annual Meeting: “Come to Philly!!!” For much of my childhood, my Mother would take my brother, sister, and myself to holiday and summer gatherings at Grandma’s (my Mom’s childhood home in Philadelphia). As a child I boarded the Pennsylvania Railroad trains at Union Station in Washington, D.C. and enjoyed the 2-hour plus journey to the City of Brotherly Love. From cheese-steaks, to riding the El, Grandma’s soul cook’in, tasting Rosati’s Italian Water Ice, baseball at Connie Mack Stadium and then the Vet, Philadelphia always is full of fond memories every time that I visit. That is why I am looking forward to the upcoming 35th NOBCChE Annual Meeting, March 16-21st!
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Northeast Regional Regional Chair Chair Northeast Patrick Gordon, Gordon, Ph.D. Ph.D. Patrick Emmanuel College College Emmanuel Boston, MA MA Boston, Southeast Regional Regional Chair Chair Southeast James Grainger, Grainger, Ph.D. Ph.D. James Centers for Centers for Disease Disease Control Control and and Prevention PrevenAtlanta, GA tion Atlanta, GA Southwest Regional Chair Melvin Poulson Southwest Regional Chair Schering-Plough Melvin Poulson Animal Health Baton Rouge, LAAnimal Health Schering-Plough Baton Rouge, LA West Regional Chair Isom Regional Harrison Chair West Lawrence Livermore Natl. Lab Isom Harrison Livermore,Livermore CA Lawrence Natl. Lab Livermore, CA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Bobby Wilson, Ph.D. Chairman Texas Southern University Bobby Wilson, Ph.D. Chairman Houston, TX University Texas Southern Houston, TX Perry L. Catchings, Sr., MS, MBA Vice Chairman Perry L. Catchings, Sr., MS, MBA PrimeChairman Organics, Inc. Vice Lowell, MA Prime Organics, Inc. Lowell, MA Denise Barnes, Ph.D. NationalBarnes, Science Foundation Denise Ph.D. Arlington,Science VA Foundation National Arlington, VA Ella Davis McNeil-PPC, Ella Davis Inc Lititz, PA McNeil-PPC, Inc Lititz, PA Ronald Lewis II, Ph.D. Pfizer Inc. Ronald Lewis II, Ph.D. San Diego, Pfizer Inc. CA San Diego, CA Sandra Parker The Dow Chemical Company Sandra Parker Midland, The Dow MI Chemical Company Midland, MI Gloria Thomas MaGee, Ph.D. Xavier Thomas University of Louisiana Gloria MaGee, Ph.D. New Orleans, LA of Louisiana Xavier University New Orleans, LA Isiah Warner, Ph.D. Louisiana State University Isiah Warner, Ph.D. Baton Rouge, Louisiana StateLA University Baton Rouge, LA
This year’s Annual Meeting is chock full of information and opportunities for all who attend. We kick-off Sunday, March 16th with the COACh Workshop and professional development workshops in data analysis and a workshop based on Steven Covey’s Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. Monday features technical sessions, the Henry Hill Lecture and opening luncheon. The Henry Hill Lecturer will be Dr. James West, winner of the 2006 National Medal of Technology. Tuesday features the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory Technical Symposium, featuring technical sessions in nanotechnology, physical chemistry, and biofuels. We also have the start of a two- day teachers symposium on chemical education. In the afternoon there is a Health Symposium sponsored by Eli Lilly with a reception to follow by the University of Maryland.
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Wednesday is an all-day Career Expo featuring exhibits from industry, government, and academia --- a must attend opportunity for professionals, graduate students, undergraduate students, and high school students. This Career Expo is targeted for those seeking to change their careers as well as starting a new career in science. You do not want to miss this networking event!! Thursday includes more technical sessions and our high school science fair. Thursday also includes our Awards Banquet, where NOBCChE distributes a number of corporate fellowships in chemistry to deserving students. We also give awards to recipients who have demonstrated excellence in research, with the Percy Julian Award, NOBCChE’s highest honor, to those who have made a difference in chemistry and chemical engineering, embodying the spirit and role model of America’s greatest chemist, Percy L. Julian. In addition, we will honor the Founders of NOBCChE.
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Friday, the last day of the Annual Meeting is our high school National Science Bowl Competition, with awards conveyed by the American Chemical Society to deserving finalists. High school students from across the country come to
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participate in a hard charging competition to answer the toughest science questions. This is where America’s scientific future begins! Wow – that is a lot for one conference! So please register today for this year’s NOBCChE Annual Meeting, because you DO NOT WANT TO MISS IT! I look forward to seeing all of you, members, students, and friends in Philly. What you give to NOBCChE through your participation, you get back tenfold in the people you meet, the opportunities that are made available, and the reaffirmation of your own confidence as a person who makes a difference in science and technology for the world now and in the future. And finally, the hoagies are on me!! Respectfully,
Victor R. McCrary
NOBCChE News Makers NOBCChE’s President Inducted into DVD Association’s Hall Of Fame Dr. Victor R. McCrary is the Business Area Executive for Science and Technology for the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, JHUAPL, and Assistant Department Head of the Milton Eisenhower Research Center. He is responsible for the management and business planning for the Science and Technology Business Area’s (S&T-BA) strategic investments for long-term research and development support of its mission to provide critical contributions to critical challenges in the areas of national security, homeland defense and space. In addition, Dr. McCrary is responsible for engaging APL’s Business Areas to understand their long-term technology needs, and in turn develop specific plans to execute and transition the S&T-BA’s research and development outputs back to the appropriate APL Business Area. The Science and Technology Business Area is predominantly executed by the Milton S. Eisenhower Research Center (MERC). Formed as part of the post-WWII APL organizational structure, the Center made a number of key, business-enabling innovations, including solution of combustion instability problems critically impacting air defense missile performance; high-altitude research originating APL’s space science expertise; and the invention of satellite navigation, the principal basis for APL’s entry into the space engineering field and a key enabler for our entry into undersea warfare. The Center’s scientists and engineers have also made numerous scientific advances, which, although without direct APL business impact, have substantially increased the prestige of the institution; the most notable example in this category is the development of the “big bang” theory of the Universe’s origin. Recent contributions from the Center include the development of data access tools incorporated into the GNCST program, its counterfeit deterrence technologies used by the US Treasury, the development of thermal protecting materials for NASA solar exploratory missions, and its current national leadership in the area of quantum computational systems. Prior to joining APL, Dr. McCrary was the Chief of the Convergent Information Systems Division at the National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST). At NIST, he led R&D efforts and standards develNOBCChE News Online
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opment activities in areas of biometrics, digital preservation, DVD reliability and standards, digital TV standards, quantum communications, and electronic books. In 2000, he received the Department of Commerce’s Gold Medal from the Secretary of Commerce for the facilitation of global standards for electronic books. During his tenure at NIST, Dr. McCrary stressed the importance of student interns and post doctoral associates in the development of new, innovative technologies. Dr. McCrary also served as a program manager for the Advanced Technology Program where he was responsible for directing over $47M in high-risk, technology programs in the areas of photonics and electronics. Dr. McCrary received his doctoral degree in 1985 from Howard University in physical chemistry, where he was an Allied Chemical Fellow. From 1985 to 1995 he was a Member of Technical Staff at AT&T Bell Laboratories in Murray Hill , New Jersey , where he conducted research efforts in crystal growth for semiconductor lasers. He received an Executive Masters of Science & Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania in May 1995, where he was a Moore Fellow. Dr. McCrary’s honors include: 2004 Emerald Honors “Career Achievement in Academia” by Science Spectrum magazine and US Black Engineer & Information Technology magazine, and 2002 Percy Julian Award for Lifetime Achievement in Science and Engineering. He currently serves on the National Digital Strategy Advisory Board for the Library of Congress, and is a member of the Distinguished Lecturers Committee for Sigma Xi. Dr. McCrary is an adjunct lecturer in the Executive Masters of Technology Management Program at the University of Pennsylvania . The program is jointly administered by the Graduate School of Engineering and the Wharton School of Business. Dr. McCrary is a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, NOBCChE, and Sigma Xi. He has authored or co-authored over 60 publications, and edited two conference books. Victor is a past Executive Director of DVDA. The DVDA Board of Directors created the DVDA Hall of Fame in 2006 to recognize those individuals who have made a difference in both the DVD industry and in the development and growth of the DVD Association.
Ella Davis Appointed NOBCChE Executive Director At its 2008 Winter meeting in Philadelphia, the NOBCChE Executive Board appointed Ms. Ella L. Davis as its Interim Executive Director. In her new role, Ms. Davis will be responsible for establishing effective processes for the day – to – day management of the organization’s operations, focusing her attention on the national office and member relations including membership and election procedures. Ella is a long time NOBCChE member who has been active at both the local and national levels. She has served NOBCChE in many capacities since being NOBCChE News Online
introduced to the organization as a charter member of the Delaware Valley Chapter (DVC) in 1982. She was the second DVC President and presided over that chapter’s dramatic rise in membership from approximately 20 to 65 members. She is a current Member-at-Large (term: 2005 – 2008) of the Executive Board. From 2001 – 2003, she was the National President, and served as National Vice – President prior to that term (1999 – 2001). She has also served as chair of the registration sub-committee of the National Conference Planning Committee in its inception in 1995. However, she fulfilled that role in 1988 and 1994 when the annual conference was organized by the Northeast region. In addition to NOBCChE, Ms. Davis has been an active member of the Philadelphia section of the American Chemical Society. She serves as 6
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opment of the next generation silica gel product for chill-proofing beer that eventually quadrupled sales.
the 2008 chair, having recently assumed office. She has also been a local ACS director since 1993. Ella’s professional career began as an R&D Technician Control Analyst at Rohm and Haas Company in Philadelphia, PA, followed by working as a Laboratory Assistant for Wyeth Laboratory in Radnor, PA. In 1975, she joined the PQ Corporation’s R&D Center in Conshohocken, PA, as an R&D Technician and rose to the highest rank of Technician Associate in four years. She took classes at night in order to complete her Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Drexel University in 1980. Upon completion, she was promoted to the rank of Chemist I and rose five levels over the next 20 years to R&D Supervisor. In that capacity, she added unofficially mentoring younger chemists and technicians to her work responsibilities.
Another one of her innovations was the development of an original Visual Basic program that automated an established ion exchange procedure and collected additional kinetic data. The program generated data essential to the development of new ion exchangers for use in detergent market and other ion exchange based applications. Interfacing computers to analytical instruments for data acquisition and processing led to significant cost savings for the company as well as improving the quality of the analytical department. In her 26 years at PQ, she contributed significantly to the success of many of its product lines. In 2003, Ms. Davis joined the Pfizer Global Manufacturing facility in Lititz, PA as a Team Leader in their Quality Control Laboratory. Her responsibilities included providing direction to, and proactively managing the QC laboratory's daily operations, performance planning, cGMP compliance, and providing overall customer service. In addition, she directed workload scheduling and prioritization, the performing of analyses, troubleshooting, and personal safety, as well as provided technical understanding of regulations applicable to laboratory testing for cGMP purposes. The effort ensured compliance with all procedures, methods, and other regulatory commitments for the facility. In late 2006, Pfizer sold this division to Johnson and Johnson and it became part of McNeil PPC, Inc. Unfortunately, Ella’s position was eliminated in November 2007 during a major downsizing (~40% reduction of the workforce is expected when complete) at the plant aimed at reducing costs and increasing efficiencies.
Ella’s mentoring efforts extended beyond the PQ laboratory. She was the first in the Delaware Valley Chapter to serve as mentor for a group of Philadelphia School District teachers who conducted “hands on research” as part of an NSF grant awarded to PATH/PRISM on behalf of the Chapter. This team of four middle - school teachers received honorable recognition for their poster at the 1998 Annual Conference in Dallas, TX. In addition, she served as a mentor for several ACS Project Seed students over the years. During her tenure at PQ, Ella developed expertise in several areas that were key to the company’s successes in industrial chemicals. For example, she developed the first practical methods for making sodium silicate in the laboratory that are similar to actual plant processes. She was able to separate the effects of raw materials and process variables and generated a better understanding of contributions of each variable to product quality. These crucial insights led to changes in the type and quality of raw materials purchased as well as major modifications in the manufacturing process used in several plants. In addition, she utilized ion chromatography to demonstrate that trace levels of selected anions do not leach from silica gel products when used to treat beer. This analysis was instrumental to the decision to continue the develNOBCChE News Online
One of the major concerns that will occupy Ella’s time is the recreation of the member database of registrants who have attended our annual meetings. These data will provide us with the capability to analyze trends in meeting attendance, to track college students and other demographics. Let’s wish her the best of luck in that endeavor. And as usual, you will find Ella managing the AM 2008 Registration Desk in Philly. 7
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Dr. Hammond's research in macromolecular design and synthesis, directed assembly and nanoscale design of materials has wide-ranging potential applications for various products, processes and technologies in a number of industries. In the health-care industry, for example, her approach to electrostatic layering or "ordering" of films may one day be applied to medical devices implanted in the body and to drug-delivery systems, such as patches and pills. The next generation of microbatteries (necessary as technologies become smaller and smaller), alternative energy technologies like fuel cells, and computer displays all may be significantly advanced by Hammond's work.
Dr. Paula Hammond Named Bayer Professor in MIT’s Department of Chemical Engineering Dr. Paula T. Hammond was recently named the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Bayer Professor in Chemical Engineering thanks to a three-year, $300,000 grant from the Bayer Foundation that will also support a fellowship for one of her first-year graduate students in the department. The grant continues Bayer's support of the Bayer Professorship in Chemical Engineering and the Bayer Graduate Fellowship, which it first began in 1979, through its philanthropic arm, the Bayer Foundation.
In March 2002, Dr. Hammond was one of a core group of founding faculty members involved in the planning and development of the Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies (ISN) at MIT. This major multidisciplinary research center, which was funded for $50 million by the US Army, is directed toward new technologies involving nanostructured materials for the protection of the soldier. Now entering its second five-year contract, their mission is to pursue a long-range vision for how technology can make soldiers less vulnerable to enemy and environmental threats. The ultimate goal is to create a 21st century battle-suit that combines high-tech capabilities with light weight and comfort.
Paula Hammond earned her S.B. in Chemical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1984, her M.S. degree from Georgia Institute of Technology in 1988, and her Sc.D. in Chemical Engineering in 1993 from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In 1994 Dr. Hammond was awarded the NSF Postdoctoral Fellowship in Chemistry while performing postdoctoral research in the Harvard University Chemistry Department as a member of the Whitesides research group. Since joining the MIT Chemical Engineering faculty in 1995, she has received many awards and recognitions. She received the 3m Innovation Award in 1995 and the EPA Early Career and the DuPont Young Faculty Awards in 1996. She received the NSF Career Award in 1997. In 2000, Professor Hammond was awarded the Junior Bose Faculty Award at MIT, and the GenCorp Signature University Award. In 2003, she was the Radcliffe Institute Fellow at Harvard University. In 2004, Professor Hammond received the Georgia Tech Outstanding Young Alumni Award. She is on the Advisory Board of the journals Advanced Materials and Chemistry of Materials. NOBCChE News Online
Dr. Hammond is also a strong advocate for diversity in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields and has called for reversing underrepresentation of women and minorities in these fields if the United States is to remain the world's innovation leader. She has been honored three times by NOBCChE. In 1990, Paula was the Eastman Kodak Theophilus Sorrel Graduate Fellow. She was recognized in 2000 as the Lloyd Ferguson Young Scientist Award recipient, and in 2004 she received the Henry A Hill Lecturer at the 31st AM in San Diego, CA. Please join us in congratulating Paula and wishing her continued success.
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substances and intermediates and the HPLC chromatographic isolation of impurities and decomposition products of drug substances. Neville developed chiral and achiral preparative HLPC techniques that enable researchers to achieve greater product purity at lower costs. He continued this line of work at Aventis in Bridgewater, New Jersey. The company was later acquired by the French company Sanofi-Synthelabo and became known as Sanofi-Aventis after the companies merged. From 2000 until his retirement, Neville was involved in the development of normal phase analytical HPLC or SFC methods to resolve enantiomeric mixtures, preparative HPLC methods to isolate enantiomers (purity > 99 area HPLC) and purity determination of the enantiomers. Two of his significant contributions to the field of chiral chromatography were (1) the use of ammonium trifluoroacetate as an alternative additive for sequential elution of acids and bases from derivatized polysaccharide chiral stationary phases (Chirality 17:S84-S92 (2005) and (2) the development of a protocol for screening compounds during method development to resolve mixtures of enantiomers by HPLC or SFC. In 2005 Neville was selected to the Discovery Analytics Global Quality Coordination Team and was instrumental in establishing a quality program in a R&D environment at Bridgewater, NJ. This involved assisting in writing and and archiving 38 apparatus SOPs and 10 Work Instructions (WINS) (modified Protocols), conducting semi-annual audits for conformity to the SOPs and WINS and maintenance of instrument log books and supplemental binders.
Dr. Neville L. Holder Retires from Sanofi-Aventis After working for 40 years in the Cosmetic and Pharmaceutical industries, Dr. Neville L. Holder retired from Sanofi - Aventis in December 2007. His retirement was celebrated at a NY/NJ NOBCChE chapter meeting where he recounted his career. He shared with those in attendance the lessons he learned and listed the core values he applied to his profession. He attributed his longevity in the pharmaceutical industry to having the courage to seek out unique career opportunities and being committed to excellent performance in these areas even in his ‘darkest hours’. He was respected among his peers as a leader in the applications of chromatographic techniques. Dr. Holder received a BSc. with honors in Chemistry and Mathematics for Science and a MS in Organic Chemistry from the University of the West Indies in 1965 and 1968, respectively. He earned his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the University of Waterloo in 1973. In 2002 he also received a M.S. degree in Quality Assurance/Regulatory Affairs from Temple University. In 1968, Neville started his professional career as a Research Chemist with Gillette Research Institute in Rockville, MD and was promoted in 1973 to the rank of Senior Research Chemist after receiving his Ph.D. In 1978, Neville changed careers and joined the Smith Kline and French Pharmaceutical R&D (now GlaxoSmithKline) in Philadelphia, PA as an Associate Senior Investigator.
Throughout his career, Dr. Holder was a strong advocate of NOBCChE. At SmithKline, he lobbied for support of the local Delaware Valley Chapter (DVC) while he was its Vice-President. While at Rhone-Poulenc-Rorer, and as President of the DVC (1996 – 2004), his lobbing efforts led to national support for the first annual health symposium which occurred at the San Diego meeting in 1999. The topic of the Saturday morning symposium was breast cancer.
In 1992 he moved to Rhone-Poulenc-Rorer where he worked as a Senior Research Scientist in their Process Chemistry Department and was promoted to Research Fellow in 1998 and Principal Research Investigator in 2005. His research focused on the preparation of reference standards of drug NOBCChE News Online
Over the years, Dr. Holder has authored and published nearly 50 articles in professional journals, he has been awarded two patents on the polymor9
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Neville is married with three children and four grandchildren. He was born in Barbados, West Indies, and became a US Citizen in 1982. His civic efforts involve duty as a Committee Member of the Boy Scouts of America and INROADS Philadelphia.
phism of a drug substance and he has also reviewed many articles for organic chemistry journals. He has been cited in several publications, including Who's Who in Science and Engineering, Who's Who in America, NOBCChE News, "Accents", The International Newsletter of Collegeville and Croix de Berny, Collegeville Edition, Rhone-Poulenc-Rorer, and SmithKline Beecham's Newsletter. He was granted life time membership in the ‘American Registry for Outstanding Professionals’, and is a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Chemical Society, and the Philadelphia Organic Chemists Club.
Although “retired,” from the research and development of ethical pharmaceuticals, Neville plans to continue working as a consultant in the field of FDA regulatory issues.
Member Spotlight: NNOL Chats with Mr. Mel Poulson stop was Kalamazoo, Michigan and the Upjohn Pharmaceutical Company where I developed my skills as a Quality Control Chemist. Upjohn through subsequent acquisitions became Pharmacia and is currently a known as Pfizer. While at Upjohn, I had many assignments that allowed me to gain both domestic and international quality control experience, which I value today. I was part of many teams that were responsible for the launch of new human products such as Motrin, Halcion, Xanax, and Naxcel, which is an animal health drug. After 15 years, I moved on and took a position at a small manufacturing plant in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, which was, at the time, part of Pitman Moore Animal Health. This site is now part of the Schering-Plough Animal Health. After a recent acquisition of Intervet Animal Health, we are now the number one animal health pharmaceutical company in the world. As a division of the Schering-Plough Corporation, we are part of a $17 billion a year company. My job as the Site Quality Manger is to ensure that the products manufactured at this site meet both customer and regulatory requirements. Currently, our products manufactured in Baton Rouge are marketed to 35 countries around the world.
I was born in Philadelphia, PA and grew up in North Philly. I am a product of Philadelphia’s public schools and graduated from the Thomas Edison High School. After high school, I worked full-time and attended The Community College of Philadelphia as a part-time student; but I saw that I needed to make a full time commitment to my education. I was able to obtain a scholarship to Virginia Union University in Richmond, Virginia, where I enrolled in the Chemistry program. From about middle school and on, I knew I wanted to major in chemistry, it was just something about the science that excited me. After completing my degree in chemistry, I started my first full-time professional position with the State of Virginia Consolidated Laboratories, in Richmond. I was the first black Chemist hired by the Virginia Sate Laboratories. In this capacity, I was involved with environmental monitoring, food product testing, and forensic science. My next NOBCChE News Online
I encourage our young scientists and engineers to investigate the opportunities available in the pharmaceutical industry. It is an exciting career 10
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path. When I attend our Global Operations Meetings there are very few African-Americans in leadership positions; therefore, there are many opportunities to advance. Within the industry, there is a need for greater diversity among those in leadership positions. After more than 30 years in the business, the best advice I can give to our young scientists and engineers is to align your self with good mentors. It is important to know how to successfully navigate the political environment in industry, government, and academia. Taking on international assignments will enhance your career opportunities and give you a global perspective. Lastly, be true to yourself and your personal goals.
program began with a welcome by Cornell Wilson, Jr., DEA South Central Laboratory, and a “State of the Region” report by the regional chair. Ms. Kiana Hamlett from DEA South Central Laboratory served as moderator for a panel of educators that included Dr. Doug Willis from Texas Southern University, Dr. Tamiko Porter from Prairie View A&M University, Dr. Danny Hubbard from Grambling State University, Mr. David Hernandez from Inspired Vision, Ms. Jennifer Stimpson from Towneview Magnet School, and Ms Rita Ware from Clay Academy. The ninety minute discussion centered on “Successes, Challenges, and Goals” for the SW region. Following a break a second panel consisting of school administrators from the Independent School Districts of Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, Plano, Garland and Desoto took up the same subject matter. While no definitive conclusions resulted, everyone agreed that they had a better perspective of the issues from both the university and secondary standpoint.
My lovely wife of many years, Reba Seymore Poulson, is pursuing a doctoral degree at The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa and works for the Louisiana Community and Technical College System. We have one son, Marc, who is married to Carla Jackson and they have given us a beautiful grandson, Joshua Ryan, who is seven-months old. Marc is a graduate of Morehouse College and Carla holds a Masters’ from the University of Illinois. Erin, our daughter, is a graduate student at UCLA. She is a Spelman College graduate. [Editor’s note: Mel Poulson is in his second term as the Southwest Regional Chair.]
Following lunch, two sessions of technical presentations were made by numerous talented students and professionals who came from institutions located throughout the region.
SOUTHWEST REGION Recap of 2007 NOBCChE Southwest Regional Meeting Mel Poulson, SW Regional Chair The 2007 NOBCChE Southwest Regional Meeting was held September 28-29, 2007, at the Dallas Marriott Suites Market Center in Dallas, TX. It was an overwhelming success! It provided numerous students and professionals with the opportunity to develop further professionally, academically, and socially. The meeting’s theme was “Bridging the Gap through Science.” The conference activities kicked off on Thursday evening with a classic reception and networking. Friday’s NOBCChE News Online
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tant at the University of Virginia to bide time until training camp and took classes towards a master's degree while he was there. Faced with the end of his football career, he was fortunate to have had his education to fall back on. He finished his master's degree in materials science engineering from the University of Virginia in 1991 and landed the job at Langley at the suggestion of one of his professors.
The conference reconvened Saturday morning with a panel of students that included both high school and college students addressing the same theme. Following the panel discussion, a Science Fair showcased the work of regional secondary school students and those from the CAP program. A concurrent technical session also occurred. The conference warp-up involved North Texas Chapter President, Mr. Darrell Davis and the regional chair. The conference produced an excellent turnout, with individuals representing all of the colleges and universities in the area. Events concluded in time for everyone to head to their favorite locations to enjoy the annual Prairie View A&M University - Grambling State University football game.
Mr. Melvin began working in the Fiber Optic Sensors group of the Nondestructive Evaluation Sciences Branch at NASA’s Langley Research Center in 1989 where he conducted research in the area of physical measurements for the development of advanced instrumentation for Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE). His responsibilities included using optical fiber sensors to measure strain, temperature, and chemical damage in both composite and metallic structures. In 1994, Mr. Melvin was selected to lead the Vehicle Health Monitoring (VHM) team for the cooperative Lockheed/NASA X-33 Reuseable Launch Vehicle (RLV) program. In 1996, Mr. Melvin co-designed and monitored construction of an optical NDE facility capable of producing in-line fiber optic Bragg grating strain sensors at rates in excess of 1000 per hour. This facility will provide a means for performing advanced sensor and laser research for development of aerospace and civil health monitoring systems.
NASA Astronaut is Black Chemist in Space1,2 Photo courtesy NASA
Mr. Leland Melvin is a mission specialist assigned to the STS122 mission that is delivering the European Space Agency’s Columbus Laboratory to the International Space Station. His role on this flight is to operate the robotic
His advice to the students that he sees as a NASA recruiter is as follows: “The key for today's students who want to be the astronauts returning to the moon or going to Mars is to study a science discipline that they enjoy. "Learn about it and talk to people who are doing it," he said. "... Learn everything you can and see if it's something you really want to do. You'll have to go to school and train and study. Do it because it's something that you are passionate about. If it's something you want to do, then really go for it."
arm that deploys the Columbia laboratory. He also doubles as the shuttle’s medical officer. In 1986, Mr. Melvin received a bachelor of science degree in chemistry from the University of Richmond, Richmond, VA where he attended on a football scholarship. Although he was chosen by the Detroit Lions in the 11th round of the 1986 NFL college draft, injuries prevented him from making the team. Later, he participated in the Toronto Argonauts and Dallas Cowboys football training camps, but again, injuries ended his football career. He had taken a job as a research assisNOBCChE News Online
1. 2.
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Bio: NASA Astronaut Leland D Melvin, http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/melvin.html Heather R. Smith, “The Man behind the Arm,” http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/F_Man_Be hind_the_Arm-rd.html
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Lives
When does a life’s work become lives saved? Imagine an environment where all professionals are valued, involved, supported and respected. Imagine working on interdisciplinary, diverse and inclusive teams. Imagine your unique ideas, perspectives and background playing a vital role improving the lives of millions. At Pfizer Global Research & Development (PGRD), we embrace diversity because we believe our greatest strength is our ability to leverage the different ideas, talents, and cultures of our people. “Diversity is built within the fabric of PGRD. And not only with regard to race, sex and sexual orientation, etcetera but also with respect to background, perspective, and so much more,” says Dr. Jesus G.
Currently, PGRD is recruiting for a number of scientific and business positions and we are proud to actively seek out and welcome diverse, creative minds to join our team and to work in an inclusive environment where ideas are freely exchanged, turned into action, and generate new lifesaving therapies. Tiffini B. says, “I represent a diverse roster of colleagues as an African American female. Pfizer is true to diversity, not only from an ethnic perspective, but from scientific research as well.”
Your talents can change the world. Join us and turn your life’s work into lives saved.
To learn more about our people, our products, and our plans for the future, visit www.pfizer.com/careers We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from people with different experiences, backgrounds and ethnic origins.
Cover Story: Dr. Saundra Y. McGuire NOBCChE Member Honored at White House For Her Mentoring Activities Since 1996, these awards have been made annually to recognize the critical importance of mentors in the academic and personal development of students and colleagues who are underrepresented in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Each year's awardees add to a widening network of outstanding mentors in the United States, so that tomorrow's scientists and engineers can better reflect the nation's diverse population.
At a November 16, 2007 White House ceremony Dr. Saundra Yancy McGuire, director of LSU's Center for Academic Success, associate dean for the University College at Louisiana State University, and an adjunct chemistry professor, was honored for earning a Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics & Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM). Dr. McGuire was the only chemist among 10 individuals who won the awards. The National Science Foundation, which administers the awards program, notes that the awards "recognize the critical importance of mentors in the academic and personal development of students and colleagues who are underrepresented in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics." Following a personal tour of the White House by President George W. Bush that included the Oval Office, the awardees received their prizes in a ceremony at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. The awards include $10,000 grants to be applied to mentoring activities.
NOBCChE News Online
Dr. McGuire is standing far left with other 10 recipients and President George W. Bush (center) during White House award ceremony in the Oval Office. Photo courtesy Joyce N. Boghosian, White House
Awards are made to individuals who have demonstrated outstanding and sustained mentoring and guidance to a significant number of underrepresented students at the K-12, undergraduate, or graduate education level; or organizations that, through their programming, have enabled a substantial number of students who are traditionally underrepresented in the STEM fields to pursue and complete relevant degree programs. Nominations are made by colleagues, administrators and students from the nominee's organization, which must be eligible to be a NSF award grantee. To date, 178 individuals and organizations have been recognized through PAESMEM. 14
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Dr. Saundra Yancy McGuire is the Director of the Center for Academic Success, Adjunct Professor of Chemistry, and Associate Dean of University College at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, LA. A native of Baton Rouge, she grew up in a community near Southern University and went to Southern University Laboratory High School, then integrated Glen Oaks High School in 1965-66, and entered Southern University in 1966. She received her B.S. degree in chemistry, magna cum laude, in 1970; her M.A. from Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, in 1971, and her Ph.D. in Chemical Education in 1983 from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, where she received the Chancellor's Citation for Exceptional Professional Promise.
In addition to her teaching and mentoring roles, Dr. McGuire has also served as a Curriculum or Evaluation consultant to the National Science Foundation, The National Institutes of Health, The National Urban Coalition, and the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. She also as served as a Editorial Consultant to Brooks/Cole Publishing Company and W.H. Freeman & Company. Currently, she is a member of the advisory board of COACh, and she has served as a presenter for several of their workshops at NOBCChE’s Annual Conferences. Dr. McGuire has received numerous awards over the years. Included among these are three consecutive awards from LSU - Outstanding Conference Presentation Award, Teaching In Higher Education, Louisiana State University (2003, 2004, 2005) and the 2005 Employee of the Year, University College Award. She was NOBCChE’s 2002 Dr. Henry C. McBay Outstanding Teacher Award recipient. In 2007 she also received the Council on Chemical Research Award.
Prior to joining LSU in August 1999, Dr. McGuire spent eleven years at Cornell University, where she served first as Assistant Director, then Associate Director, and finally as the Acting Director of the Center for Learning and Teaching and also as a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Chemistry. While at Cornell she received the highly coveted 1991 Clark Distinguished Teaching Award. Prior to her employment at Cornell, from 1983 – 1988, she was an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Alabama A & M University in Huntsville, AL. In 1985, she added the task of the Science Area Coordinator, Regional Inservice Education Center (for K-12 teachers) to her teaching responsibilities at AL A&M. This experience was preceded by appointments as an Instructor of Chemistry at The State University of New York, Brockport; The University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Dr. Saundra McGuire is congratulated by President Bush during White House ceremony. Photo courtesy White House photographer.
Dr. McGuire has been teaching chemistry for the past 35 years, and has also included mentoring responsibilities with her role as teacher. In addition she is actively involved in university curriculum reform efforts, and has written the Student Study Guide, Problem Solving Guide and Workbook, and Instructors Teaching Guide that accompanies the 3rd edition of the Russo Silver Introductory Chemistry textbook published by Benjamin Cummings.
NOBCChE News Online
When asked about her “Mentoring Recognition” Saundra commented,” “Winning the PAESMEM is a wonderful accolade, and it means all the more to me because of the role that NOBCChE members played in my receiving it. I was nominated by a NOBCChE member (Isiah Warner), and had letters of support from several NOBCChE members whom I’ve mentored (Sibrina Collins, Gloria Thomas Magee, Portia Yarborough, and Algernon Kelley). I have been 15
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an active member of NOBCChE for the past 25 years, and it has been a wonderful community in which I have been nurtured and mentored, and in which I could nurture and mentor others. To receive a Presidential Award for just doing what I love to do is the ultimate reward! As long as God allows me to be on this planet, I will do my best to help others achieve their dreams. In doing so, I receive so much more from them than I could ever give to them.” In her White House acceptance speech, Dr. McGuire noted that, ”My mentoring activities started in the Fall of 1970, when as a first year graduate student at Cornell University I noticed that many of the African American students, most of whom were from inner city schools in New York City, were not doing well in Introductory Chemistry. I started holding weekly review sessions at the Africana Studies Center, to help students make the transition from rote memorization and regurgitation to understanding concepts and taking control of their own learning. The students were very successful, and I was on my way to making academic mentoring my life’s work.
Dr. McGuire lectures to NOBCChE women during COACh workshop.
In his nominating letter, LSU’s Professor Isiah Warner wrote that, “Professor McGuire has successfully and individually mentored more than a thousand undergraduate students, graduate students, pre-college teachers, and university faculty throughout the nation during her thirty-five year teaching career. A large fraction of her mentees are underrepresented in the STEM area.
I’ve mentored students from K – the postdoctoral experience, teachers from kindergarten through graduate and professional school, and women faculty in chemistry through the efforts of COACh, the Committee on the Advancement of Women Chemists. It turns out that at every level of the pipeline, when students learn to use metacognitive strategies to improve their learning, they gain the confidence to excel and remain in the pipeline.
As a professor of chemistry, I have encountered many students who should have performed well in the STEM disciplines, but for some reason did not. After Professor McGuire’s arrival at LSU, I sent many of these students to see her in her capacity as Director of the Center for Academic Success at LSU. The first time I sent her a student who was receiving a ‘D’ or an ‘F’ in my course and that student returned to receive a ‘B’ or an ‘A’, I thought it was a fluke. Even after a few more students came back with the same results, I was not completely convinced. Therefore, I went over to her office to find out what she was giving these students that created such miraculous grade transformations.
Through the years, I’ve tried to help students understand and firmly believe that African Americans can achieve as significantly in science as in sports, succeed as well in mathematics as in music, and perform as well in engineering as in the entertainment world. And thankfully, many of them HAVE believed this and have gone on to successful careers in STEM disciplines.”
NOBCChE News Online
After extensive conversations with Professor McGuire, I began to better understand her system for helping students to improve their aca16
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Dr. McGuire has also had a very significant influence on the minority graduate student population at LSU. The Department of Chemistry at LSU has the largest population of AfricanAmerican graduate students working toward PhDs of any graduate program in the nation. Many of these students come from HBCUs where the environment is extremely welcoming and inviting. Some would be overwhelmed by the sheer size of LSU were it not for the mentoring of Saundra McGuire. She takes a personal interest in any student who seeks her wise counsel, and she spends considerable time talking with them about academic matters, personal concerns, and professional goals and aspirations. She has also helped graduate students who were struggling to pass cumulative examinations or prepare for general examinations. Moreover, her interactions with these students have instilled the value of mentoring and as such inspired many of them to become mentors as they became enlightened with the knowledge and appreciation of their personal responsibility to one another. In addition to working with students, Dr. McGuire has mentored numerous female and underrepresented STEM faculty members. Junior faculty often seek her out for advice about teaching and learning issues, about career concerns, and about negotiating the maze of academia. She always provides them with excellent advice, based on her many years of experience at several institutions in a number of different states.
demic performance. Her system involves a combination of teaching students about cognitive science based learning processes, teaching them concrete strategies they could immediately implement, and empowering them with the confidence to aggressively attack their learning obstacles. In addition, she taught them the difference between rote and meaningful learning, and between memorizing facts and the application of concepts. However, I have come to believe that the most important factor is her natural ability to make them believe that they could perform better, i.e. her abilities as a mentor. As an example, in the fall of 2005, one senior engineering student who had scored 65, 67, and 61 on the first three exams in my course scored a 107 out of 110 on the final examination – only two days after meeting with her for the first time! Three other students in my class showed similar improvement after meeting with her. After learning about Dr. McGuire’s methods through my visits to her office, I was inspired to find a way for even more students to benefit from what she has to offer. It was with this goal in mind that I designed the LSU HHMI Professors Program, which is funded by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Students in the program not only learn to use the strategies and tools taught by Dr. McGuire and her colleagues at the Center for Academic Success, but they are trained as mentors to pass on this information to others in their courses and even at the high school level. Dr. McGuire served as the inspiration for this project, and she has also played a critical role in its implementation. For example, I hired one of Dr. McGuire’s mentees, Ms. Lisa Batiste-Evans, to be program manager for the HHMI project. Ms. Batiste-Evans was well trained by Professor McGuire and immediately brought the tools and background needed for success of this project. It should also be noted that Dr. McGuire serves as a Co-PI on the HHMI project and on a similar project, the Louisiana State University Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (LA STEM) Research Scholars Program, as well as other projects in my Office of Strategic Initiatives. NOBCChE News Online
I want to note here the extreme dedication that is required for Dr. McGuire to achieve all that she has accomplished. One morning, I came into my office to try to get an early start since my schedule was full with meetings for the entire day. I remembered that I needed to discuss a problem student with Dr. McGuire before the end of the day. I called her office at about 6:30 A.M., expecting to leave a message for her to call me later in the day when she arrived. To my surprise, instead of an answering machine, Saundra McGuire picked up the phone. When I asked her what was she doing in the office so early, she responded that the only way that she could continue to spend quality time with students is to come in early to take care of some of her admin17
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istrative responsibilities. On several occasions, I have asked her why she doesn’t let her employee’s counsel more students and she always gave me the same consistent answer regarding her need to personally mentor minority and female students and guide these students in their careers.
Kudos Korner Sandra Parker, NOBCChE Planning Committee Chair Honored Ms. Parker was the guest speaker for International Paper’s Women In Manufacturing Forum recently held at their headquarters in Memphis, TN.
Professor McGuire has been and continues to be an outstanding mentor at the university, state, and national levels. Her devotion to her students, to fellow faculty, to pre-college teachers, and to educating the next generation of students has made a difference in students’ lives and in the various educational environments in which she has worked. I was particularly impressed with her activity as Chair of the American Chemical Society Committee on Minority Affairs. I believe that that committee truly found its appropriate focus on important issues of concern to minority chemists during her tenure as chair of the committee. “
She spoke about Career Advancement within Manufacturing, careers outside of Manufacturing and Retention and Attraction factors that should be considered. She utilized her own experiences and what Dow is doing as a company as the basis of her talk.
Saundra comments that, “My family has played such a significant role in my life’s work. My husband Steve, who gave the Percy Julian Luncheon lecture at the 2007 annual meeting, has been my strongest supporter over the forty years we have been together. Our two daughters are also trained in science. Dr. Carla Abena McGuire Davis studied Chemical Engineering at Howard University under NOBCChE founder Joseph Cannon, and is now a Professor at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. Dr. Stephanie N. McGuire received her Ph.D. in Psychophysics from the University of Oxford, after becoming a Marshall Scholar at MIT. She is now an opera singer in New York City, having sung with the New York City Opera and the Boston Classical Opera.” Dr. Stephen C. McGuire is Chair of the Department of Physics at Southern University. The McGuire clan also includes three grandchildren.
National Society of Black Engineers Honors NOBCChE’s President Dr. Victor R. McCrary, Jr. was given the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) Alumni Extension Washington D.C. Metropolitan Area Chapter’s 2008 Innovation in Technology Award at its 3rd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Awards Dinner and Gala on Saturday, January 26, 2008. Dr. McCrary was honored for his distinguished contributions and professional achievements in scientific research and technology development. The award is given annually at the Gala, with entrepreneurs, academics, technical professionals, corporate executives, and students in attendance, to a scientist residing in the Greater Washington, D.C. community. Dr. McCrary is the Business Area Executive for Science and Technology at The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physical Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland. He is a resident of Clarksville, Maryland.
NOBCChE News Online
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Forensic Sciences is one of the premier laboratory systems in the world. His presentation will highlight the forensics disciplines that are used in their day-to-day operations. Mr. Darrell L. Davis is the Laboratory Director for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s South Central Laboratory in Dallas, TX. He began his career as a forensic chemist with DEA in 1979 at the Southwest Laboratory in San Diego, CA. Mr. Davis is also qualified as an expert witness in over 10 states.
NASA: Black History Month Profile Dr. Noreen Khan-Mayberry NASA is running a Black History Month profile, which includes interviews of Dr. Noreen KhanMayberry.
Darrell is a member of the American Chemical Society, American Academy of Forensic Science, American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors, and NOBCChE. He has served several terms as Vice-Chair of the Executive Board, and he is chair of the 2008 Career Fair subcommittee of the National Conference Planning Committee.
The special Video File hour that aired on NASA TV (cable channel) during the STS-122 mission on Monday, February 11th at 11:00 am. You can also watch NASA TV online. Dr. Noreen Khan-Mayberry is the Advanced Environmental Health Project Manager and Space Toxicologist at the NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX. She received her undergraduate degree in science from Xavier University of Louisiana and her Ph.D. in Environmental Toxicology from Texas Southern University. Khan-Mayberry has been with NASA since 2004 and is the recipient of numerous awards.
Darrell’s talk will be held at The Cynwyd Club, 332 Trevor Lane, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004. For more details, contact ACS Philly Section Chair, Ms. Ella Davis at ellaldavis@comcast.net.
Bob Countryman Supports San Diego Jackie Robinson Family YMCA Martin Luther King Human Dignity Breakfast
Forensics in a CSI Era Longtime NOBCChE member, Bob Countryman attended the annual event that was held on Friday January 18, 2008. The community came together to celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at their 23rd Annual Human Dignity Award Breakfast. Dr. Shirley Weber gave the keynote address and really stung the audience on her different take on MLK.
Darrell L. Davis, Laboratory Director, Drug Enforcement Administration, will be the guest speaker at the February 21st meeting of ACS’s Philadelphia Section. With the influx of TV shows depicting forensic work as glamorous and easy work, the appeal of being a crime scene investigator has struck an interest amongst college students and the professional workforce. The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Office of NOBCChE News Online
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Looking Ahead to AM 35 in Philadelphia, PA Hotel Accommodations are at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown Hotel at the special convention rates ($135.00 single/ double/night. Register before 02/25/08 to take advantage of this great rate. Conference Registration Information Member Registration $500 Non-Member Registration $600 Retiree Registration $300 Graduate Student Registration $300 Undergraduate Registration $250 One Day Registration $250
Key conference highlights will include: • An engrossing program of 15 technical sessions and two symposia of oral presentations plus a poster session with more than 75 presentations. In addition, there will be the annual NOBCChE/Rohm and Haas Undergraduate Competition and the second annual Milligan Fellowship Competition sponsored by The University of Maryland and NIST. [See Conference At A Glance for details.] • Stimulating professional development workshops including two new COACh workshops for women, science teachers, a 2-day Agilent Technologies training course (cost = $500), and the very renowned Seven Habits of Highly Effective People course (cost = $500). [See Professional Development Section of this issue of NNOL for workshop details.] • A Career Fair and Industrial Exposition with ~60 industrial companies, academic institutions, and government agencies. • Annual health symposium dealing with issues related to HIV/AIDS. • Thrilling science competitions including individual science fair project competitions and teams competing in the science bowl using the “round – robin format.” National Champions will be crowned! • Annual Awards Banquet distributing more than $75,000 in fellowships and scholarships.
Keynote Speakers for the NOBCChE Conference will include: 1. Henry Hill Lecture by James E. West, The Johns Hopkins University (Mon. 11 am) 2. Dr. James W. Mitchell, David and Lucille Packard Professor, Chemical Engineering Department, Howard University, at the Opening Luncheon (Mon. 12 noon) 3. Dr. Sharon Haynie, Research Scientist, DuPont Company, at the Percy Julian Luncheon (Tue. 12 noon) 4. Jumpstarting Your Career speaker is Cathie Markham, Vice President of Technology and Chief Technology Officer, Rohm and Haas Company. (Wed. Breakfast, 7:30 am) 5. Dr. Stephen Mayo, Vice Provost (research) and Bren Professor of Biology and Chemistry, California Institute of Technology, at the Bioapplications in Chemistry Symposium - Plenary I (Mon. 9 am) 6. Dr. Chekesha M. Liddell, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell University, at the Nanotechnology in Chemistry Symposium - Plenary II (Tue. 8:30 am) NOBCChE News Online
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2008 NOBCChE Conference Conference At A Glance (Tentative Agenda) Day / Date/ Time
Sunday
Event
Room
3/16/2008
7:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.
COACh Registration
4th Floor Foyer
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
COACh Workshop I - The Chemistry of Leadership
Franklin 11
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
COACh Workshop II - Professional Skills Training for Minority Graduate Students and Postdocs
Franklin 12
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Agilent HPLC (2D) Data Analysis and Reporting - Day 1 (pre-paid)
Room 403
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Seven Habits of Highly Effective People (pre-paid)
Room 411
4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Conference Registration
Franklin Foyer
6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
COACh/NOBCChE Reception
Salon I
7:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.
NPC Committee Meeting
Room 402
7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Expanded Coffee (sponsored by Brazoria County Area Chapter)
Franklin Foyer
7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Conference Registration (closed 8:00 - 9:00 a.m.)
Franklin Foyer
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Opening Session
Salon CD
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Agilent HPLC (2D) Data Analysis and Reporting - Day 2 (pre-paid)
Room 403
9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Plenary I – Bio-applications in Chemistry
Franklin 1
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Technical Session 1: Inorganic Chemistry
Room 410
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Technical Session 2: Biochemistry and Biotechnology Applications
Franklin 1
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Henry Hill Lecture Speaker – James E West, The Johns Hopkins University Sponsored by Northeast Section of ACS and MIT Chem. Dept.
Franklin 2
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Opening Luncheon Speaker – Dr. James W. Mitchell, Howard University (ticketed)
Salon H
1:45 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Technical Session 3: Henry McBay Outstanding Teacher SymposiumChemical Education
Room 410
1:45 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Technical Session 4: Bioapplications in Physical Chemistry
Room 411
3:45 p.m. - 5:45 p.m.
Technical Session 5: Nanotechnology Applications 1
Room 410
3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Technical Session 6: Bioapplications in Materials Chemistry Delaware Valley Chapter - Host Chapter Reception
Room 411 Salon H
Monday
3/17/2008
10:00 p.m. to midnight
Hospitality Room
Rooms 411, 412
Tuesday 3/18/2008 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.
NPC Committee Meeting
Room 413
7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Expanded Coffee (sponsored by ???)
Franklin Foyer
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Conference Registration
Franklin Foyer
7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Teachers Workshop - Day 1
Salon IJ
Technical Symposium - The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Plenary II - Nanotechnology in Chemistry Symposium
NOBCChE News Online
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Franklin 1
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9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Career Fair Setup for Exhibitors
Franklin B
9:45 a.m. - 11:45 p.m. 9:45 a.m. - 11:45 p.m.
Technical Session 7: Biofuels Technical Session 8: Nanotechnology Applications 2
Room 411 Franklin 1
9:45 a.m. - 11:45 p.m.
Technical Session 9: Physical Chemistry
Room 412
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Percy Julian Symposium Luncheon Speaker – Dr. Sharon Haynie, DuPont Company (ticketed)
Salon H
1:45 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Rohm & Haas /NOBCChE Undergraduate Competition
Franklin 1
1:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. 1:45 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Graduate Students Shoppers Delight: GEM Information Session and Graduate Survival Tips Technical Session 10: Graduate Students Sci-Mix Symposium
Room 411 Room 412
3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Next Generation Process Automation at The Dow Chemical Company: The Journey to Commercial Solutions
Room 413
Plenary III - Health Symposium – “HIV/AIDS Updates” sponsored by Eli Lilly Company Exhibitor's Welcome Reception sponsored by University of Maryland College Park and NIST Hospitality Room
Salon H Salon H
7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Plenary IV - Jumpstarting Your Career & Breakfast (ticketed) sponsored by Rohm and Haas Corporation
Salon H
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Conference Registration
Franklin Foyer
7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Teachers Workshop II
Salon IJ
9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
CAREER FAIR EXPO
Franklin B
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
You Don't Know What You Don't Know: Emotional Intelligence
Room 411
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Managing an Effective Job Search sponsored by ACS
Room 412
10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Our Chemistory: Celebrating Our History in the Chemical Sciences
Franklin 1
2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Professional Development Workshops - ACS Leadership Development
Room 414
2:00 p.m. 3:30 p.m.
NSF and DOD Fellowship Informational Session
Room 415
4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
ACS Distinguished Scientist
Salon KL
5:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Science Competition Registration & Opening Meeting
Salon G
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
NOBCChE Scientific Exchange Poster Session
Franklin A
7:00 p.m. – until 10:00 p.m. to midnight
A NIGHT ON THE TOWN Hospitality Room
Salon H
7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Plenary V - State of the Organization - A Roadmap Review
Salon G
7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
You Don't Know What You Don't Know: Emotional Intelligence (EI)
Room 413
8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Science Fair Setup
Franklin 1 & 2
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Conference Registration
Franklin Foyer
9:00 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.
Technical Session 11: Lloyd Ferguson Young Scientist Award Symposium- Bio-applications in Organic Chemistry
Room 410
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Technical Session 12: NOBCChE Professional Chemical Engineering Award Symposium
Room 407
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Technical Session 14: Analytical Chemistry
Room 406
4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. 10:00 p.m. to midnight
Salon G
Wednesday 3/19/2008
LUNCH ON YOUR OWN
Thursday
3/20/2008
NOBCChE News Online
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10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Science Fair Public Viewing
Franklin 1 & 2
11 a.m. - 12 noon
Science Fair Judging
Franklin 1 & 2
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Technical Session 13: Bio-applications in Chemical Engineering
Room 410
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Technical Session 15: Organic Chemistry
Room 406
12:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Milligan Competition
Room 411
LUNCH ON YOUR OWN 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Science Bowl Competitions: Senior Division
Franklin 8, 9, 10
1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Science Bowl Competitions: Junior Division
Franklin 11, 12, 13
1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Midwest Regional Meeting
Room 403
Northeast Regional Meeting
Room 406
Southeast Regional Meeting
Room 407
Southwest Regional Meeting
Room 410
West Regional Meeting
Room 413
2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
LOCAL CHAPTER MANAGEMENT SESSION Chapter Presidents/Treasurer - Mandatory
Room 415
2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
HBCU Presentation & Panel Discussion
Franklin 7
3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Technical Session 16: Bioapplications in Analytical Chemistry
Room 412
3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Technical Session 17: Materials/Polymers Chemistry
Room 414
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Science Competition Dinner
Salon H
9:00 p.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Science Competition Social Activity
Salon H
Plenary VII - Awards Ceremony & Gala Dinner sponsored by The Dow Chemical Company
Salons G, K, L
7:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Coffee (sponsored by Atlanta Metro Chapter)
Franklin Foyer
8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Science Bowl Finals: Senior Division
Franklin 2
8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Science Bowl Finals: Junior Division
Franklin 3
11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Science Competition Awards Luncheon (ticketed) sponsored by Agilent Technologies
Salon H
PM
Science Competition Educational Trip - Franklin Institute
Offsite
7:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. Friday 3/21/2008
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2008 Professional Development Workshops Committee on the Advancement of Women Chemists (COACh) [Sunday 7:00 am – 5:00 pm].
Travel scholarships are available. However, Preregistration is required, sign up at: http://coach.uoregon.edu. For more information contact Priscilla Lewis, cilla@uoregon.edu or call (541) 346-0116.
“The Chemistry of Leadership” Presented by Sandra Shullman This workshop is open to women academic faculty/administrators and industry/other. The program is designed to give participants some basic concepts and tools to develop their leadership skills. Participants will learn about various concepts of leadership (including their own), explore what is known about issues that pertain to minority women and its role in leadership situations, and reflect on their own leadership challenges whether it is in the classroom/office, working with committees or leading groups.
Travel Scholarships are available; to qualify you must be an academic faculty member in the chemical sciences. Scholarships cover round trip airfare, two night’s hotel accommodations (Saturday & Sunday nights), ground transportation and per diem meals up to $800. Pre-registration is required through COACh. Application can be found at: http://coach.uoregon.edu. For more information email coach@uoregon.edu or call Priscilla Lewis at (541) 346-0116. Science Teachers Workshop [Tue. and Wed. 8:00 am – 5:00 pm]. Science educators are invited to join us for two days of science-based activities that are filled with lots of hands-on experimentation. The workshop will also include a round table discussion for teachers to give in-put and share their concerns. There will be drawings through out the day for teaching resources and science related materials to enhance curriculum for you and students. A continental breakfast and lunch will be provided for workshop participants. Presenters include Yolanda George, Program Director, AAAS, and Eva M. Graham, Minority Education Initiatives Manager, Jet Prelusion Laboratory. For more information contact Linda Davis at lindadavis2020@sbcglobal.net, (M): 214-869-8173 or (F): 469-272-0212.
Travel scholarships are available for academic women. However, Pre-registration is required, sign up at: http://coach.uoregon.edu. For more information contact Priscilla Lewis, cilla@uoregon.edu or call (541) 346-0116. “Professional Skills Training for Minority Graduate Students and Postdocs” Presented by Dr. Jane Tucker (Director, Human Resources, Teaching and Organizational Development, Duke University) and Ernestine Taylor (Sr. Associate, The Center for Creative Leadership).
This workshop is open to women Graduate students and Postdoctoral Associates. This workshop is designed to introduce negotiations or solution findings to graduate students and postdocs. Participants will learn to develop their “best alternative to a negotiated agreement” and finding their own personal negotiation styles. Attendees will practice through a selection from case studies including developing a strong advocate, credit for research and publications, developing connectedness, obtaining resources that enable productivity, opportunity to demonstrate strong performance, the “all important” reference letter and contracting for that first or new position. Discussions will focus on issues relevant to minority women. NOBCChE News Online
FUTURE ANNUAL CONFERENCE SITES AND DATES
2009 Renaissance Grand Hotel St. Louis, Missouri April 13 - 18, 2009
2010 Marriott Marquis Atlanta Downtown Atlanta, Georgia March 29 - April 3, 2010 24
Winter 2008
How many times have you been on the receiving end of: • People pushing back because the committee is given a different set of goals to achieve? • Projects stalling because there has been a change in the direction? • Confusion due to personnel changes on a committee or project team? This four-hour course provides leaders with a step-wise process to lead change and guide volunteers more effectively through the change process for greater results and efficiency. Those who are leading projects such as change initiatives, projects requiring working with other groups, or new initiatives that will likely experience changes in the course of completion, are encouraged to attend this program. Participants will gain a skill that can be used daily in both volunteer leadership roles as well as in your profession. Specifically, you will learn: • Why organizations and individuals tend to resist change. • A 3-step process for leading change amongst volunteers in a team or work group. • How to maintain a clear vision of the strategic direction and instill a strong sense of direction and purpose in all volunteers. • How to keep everyone on-track and focused on top priorities. • The importance of and how best to communicate new insights into key issues, problems and opportunities the committee faces. Investment: Free, but registration still required Class size limited to 25 participants
Agilent HPLC (2D) Data Analysis & Reporting--EXCLUSIVE OFFER TO NOBCChE Sunday and Monday, March 16-17, 2008 This two day course is designed for those who want to enhance their skills in the use of the Agilent HPLC (2D) ChemStation software. Laptop PCs using Agilent ChemStation software will be provided. A basic knowledge of the fundamentals of HPLC, Techniques of Modern HPLC (H1186A) or Practical High Performance Liquid Chromatography (H5930A) required. Fee: $200 Class size limited to 15 participants 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Sunday, March 16, 2008 This one day intensive course empowers people and organizations to significantly increase their performance capability as they work to achieve worthwhile purposes through understanding and living principle-centered leadership. This course will focus on the basic personal and interpersonal skills from the world-renowned 7 Habits. Investment: $400 Class sizes limited to 20 participants You Don't Know What You Don't Know: Emotional Intelligence (EI) Wednesday, March 19, 2008 EQ is the ability to integrate thinking and feeling to make optimal decisions. It is the capacity to effectively manage our own emotions and recognize those of others. Participants will take an Emotional Intelligence Test to determine their Emotional Intelligence Quotient (EQ). Investment: $ 500 Class size limited to 20 participants
Courses are open to all conference attendees. Pre-registration and pre-payment are required on the general registration form found at www.nobcche.org. Click on the Conference logo and go to Registration in the menu on the left. Contact nobccheconf@aol.com for more information.
Leading Change Wednesday, March 19, 2008 Almost any initiative today in the workplace or within a NOBCChE committee or project team involves change. It could be a change in priorities and direction, people, or goals and objectives. And, with change often comes resistance. Insert PSA ads there
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NNOL Health Report**: African Americans and the HIV/AIDS Epidemic --- Dr. Shelley A. Francis Twenty five years into the struggle against HIV/AIDS, the epidemic continues to threaten the health and well-being of population’s world wide. According to Santrock, “No single STD has had a greater impact on sexual behavior, or created more public fear in the last two decades than AIDS.” AIDS (Acquired Immune deficiency syndrome) is a sexually transmitted disease that is caused by the human imunodeficiency virus (HIV) that destroys the body’s immune system. HIV progressively destroys the body’s ability to fight infections and certain cancers. Following exposure to HIV an individual is vulnerable to germs that a normal, healthy immune system could destroy.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a leading government, based public health research organization, at the end of 2003 approximately 1,000,000 people in the United States were infected with HIV/AIDS, one-quarter of whom are unaware of their infection. In 2005, approximately 40,000 cases of HIV/AIDS were reported in adults, adolescents, and children among 33 states with longterm confidential name-based HIV reporting. The CDC reports that approximately 40,000 people become infected with HIV each year. The epidemic is growing rapidly among minority populations and is the leading killer of African American males ages 25 to 44 and African American women ages 25 to 34. Populations at risk included men who have sex with men (MSMs) followed by adults and adolescents who are infected through heterosexual contact. In 2005, almost 75% of HIV/AIDS diagnoses were among male adolescents and adults. While among women, African American and Hispanic together represent about 25% of all US women, yet they accounted for 81% of the estimated total of AIDS diagnoses for women in 2004. African Americans, who make up approximately 13% of the US population, clearly are disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS compared with members of other races and ethnicities.
HIV can infect anyone who practices risky behaviors such as • Sharing drug needles or syringes • Having sexual contact, including vaginal, oral, and anal sex, with an infected person without using condoms • Having sexual contact with someone whose HIV status is unknown. In addition to practicing risky behaviors, HIV is spread through contact with infected blood. Today, risk of HIV via blood transfusions of contaminated blood or blood components is rare due to advances in the screening of donated blood and blood products. HIV is also transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy or birth. Approximately, one-quarter to one-third of untreated pregnant women infected with HIV will pass the infection to their babies, either through birth or breast feeding. However, if the mother takes certain drugs during pregnancy, she can significantly reduce the chances that her baby will get infected with HIV. Newborn babies with HIV infections have almost been eradicated in the US due to appropriate treatment.
Numerous factors contribute to the disproportionate rates of HIV/AIDS among African Americans. These factors includes sexual risk factors such as engaging in unprotected sex with multiple sex partners, bisexuality, or injection drug use, male-to-male and high-risk sexual contact. Substance use is another contributing cause of HIV infection for both African American men and women and can increase the risk of infection in several ways. First there is the risk of sharing infected needles and the fact that casual and chronic substance users are more likely to engage in high-risk sexual behaviors such as unprotected sex when they are under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Persons who are infected with HIV and are unaware of their status can not benefit from life saving treatment and may unknowingly transmit the disease to their sexual partners.
The epidemic is growing rapidly among minority populations and is the leading killer of African American males 25 to 44 and African American women ages 25 to 34. ---Dr. Shelley A. Francis
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ways to prevent transmission. Some of these methods include abstaining from sexual activity, be faithful and monogamous, using condoms, and educating yourself about HIV. HIV is an epidemic that is devastating many faces of our communities. However, we can stem the flow of HIV by educating ourselves and avoiding behaviors that may put us at risk for contracting the disease. An Ashanti African proverb claims that, “the ruin of a nation begins in the homes of its people.” Collectively, we can work to together to reduce HIV in our communities.
Other factors associated with HIV risk include socioeconomic issues and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Approximately 25% of Africans were living in poverty in 1999. Socio-economic issues and other social and structural influences contribute to HIV infection among African Americans. Problems associated with poverty including access to medical care, housing, and HIV prevention education may directly or indirectly increase the risk factors that are associated with HIV infection. In addition, African Americans have the highest rates of STDs. In 2005, African Americans were 18 times as likely as whites to have gonorrhea and about 5 times as likely to have syphilis. The presence of certain STDs such as syphilis, genital herpes, Chlamydia infection, gonorrhea, or bacterial vaginosis, can increase one’s chances of contracting and spreading HIV to others. However, HIV/AIDS is a preventable disease and there are numerous things that one can do to decrease their risk for contracting HIV/AIDS.
About the Author Dr. Shelley A. Francis is currently a Senior Instructor in the Epidemiology and Biostatistics Department in the School of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University. In 1995, she earned a B.A. in Health Science and Women’s Studies at the University of Richmond and in 1997 earned a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree from the Medical College of Virginia – Virginia Commonwealth University. Dr. Francis earned a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) in Maternal and Child Health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2005. Her research focuses on examining correlates of HIV risk and substance use among adolescents and young adults that may contribute to health disparities among this population in order to mitigate risk taking behaviors.
Although early HIV infection often causes no symptoms, your health care provider can test your blood for the presence of HIV antibodies. If you think you have been exposed to the virus, you should get an HIV test within 6 – 12 weeks after possible exposure. Early diagnosis equals early treatment. Consequently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a number of drugs for treating HIV infection. By getting tested early, you can discuss with your health care provider when you should start treatment, if HIV positive and it alerts you to avoid high-risk behaviors that could spread the virus to others. Although testing is the best way to determine if you have been exposed to the virus, there are numerous
NOBCChE News Online
[Editor’s Note: Since the 2008 Health Symposium in Philadelphia covers this topic, we have reprinted this article from the Winter 2007 issue of NNOL.]
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Winter 2008
Tony Talks – How to Create an Automatic Savings Plan Now that you know you are going to receive $300 or $1,200 that you hadn’t planned on receiving, what are you going to do with it? Now would be a good time to open that savings account! Do you already have a savings account, yet find it difficult to find money to deposit into it? This isn’t an uncommon problem and most people find it hard to save. Generally when you receive income it is either directly deposited into your checking account or you go to the bank to make a deposit. Typically these funds head straight to the checking account so they are available to pay the seemingly endless stream of bills. Why Saving Money is Hard Most people save money as an afterthought. When they receive income, the money is allocated to bills, groceries, rent or a mortgage or daily expenses among other things. The only time adding money to savings occurs when there is money left over. Unfortunately, with this approach there is almost never any money left over to save. When deposits are made into a savings account automatically and regularly you don’t have to think about it and the money is deposited before you have time to worry about expenses or how much money will be left over. Automatic Saving is Easy Thanks to modern technology it is very easy to set up an automatic savings plan. If you currently have direct deposit through your employer you will find the easiest way to establish this is to have part of your paycheck directly deposited into your savings account as well. It doesn’t matter if it is $10 or $500, simply having this happen automatically will ensure money is saved every time you are paid. If you don’t have direct deposit there is still an easy option available if you do your banking at a local branch. Typically your bank can link checking and saving accounts together and establish automated transfers between accounts at a regular interval that you select. So if you cash your paycheck every other Friday you could establish an automatic transfer of a set amount of money from checking to savings to coincide with this deposit. I have found another method that seems to work for anyone comfortable with on-line banking. I opened an ING DirectR savings account through their website (www.ingdirect.com) and linked it to my checking account. Generally, the interest rate is significantly greater than that offered by bank savings accounts. You can set up automatic transfers from your checking account AND you can arrange transfer back to your checking account if you should need to pay an unplanned expense. Moreover, the higher interest rate offers the opportunity to save for those known expenses such as property and school taxes or insurance premiums that arrive once or twice a year but are hefty amounts. By dividing the total of these expenses by 12 (monthly) or 26 (biweekly), you can determine the amount to transfer orderly into your ING savings account. When the bill/premium arrives, you can transfer the money back into your checking to make the online payment or print the checks from your QuickenR or MS MoneyR computer program. In the meantime, you’ve earned interest on money you were planning to spend. In addition, you can set up ING CD’s for 6 months or longer to stash the money designated for your long term savings. For money that you won’t need for several years, you can use longer term CDs. One caution here is to make a good guess as to whether future interest rates will be increasing or declining. The best situation is to have some money in a 4-year CD at 5% interest when banks are paying 2% rates.
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Winter 2008
2007-2008 Membership Application n National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers
Please type or print this application and return to: NOBCChE
P.O. Box 77040 Washington, DC 20013
Or complete our web application at www.nobcche.org Personal Profile
2007 Membership Categories and Dues s
Please provide all information requested. Print your name as you wish it to appear on your membership card and all correspondence.
Membership dues are applied in the fiscal year in which they are received. The fiscal year for NOBCChE is July1 through June 30. Please check appropriate membership:
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NNOL requests that all advertising material be at least 300 DPI resolution, with a maximum of 600 DPI, and CMYK or grayscale. No RGB will be accepted. Full page ads should be submitted in a PDF. • All fonts and images must be embedded in the PDF • MediaBox and TrimBox dimensions must be defined • The PDF file must be identified as trapped or untrapped • The intended printing condition should be e-book quality All other size ads should be submitted in either JPEG or Word.doc format. All rates are net to NOBCChE and are non-commissionable.
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