We are devoted to the professional advancement of younger chemists in industry, government laboratories, undergraduate/graduate school, and post-doctoral positions.
The Northeastern Section Younger Chemists Committee (NSYCC) is part of the Northeastern Section of the American Chemical Society (NESACS), a local section whose members include chemists from Eastern Massachusetts and New Hampshire. We aim to involve younger chemists in national and local ACS programs in order to help with their transition into a professional career.
But am I a “Younger Chemist”?
USUALLY, younger chemists are ACS members under 35. But never fear! Younger chemists are also people not yet established in their careers. The criterion for being a member of this group is not age, but experience.
So join us, and visit our Upcoming Events page!
Announcing our 2023-2024
Executive Board!
Chair: Owen Grimm
Chair-Elect: Letícia Adão Gomes
Immediate Past Chair: Lipin Ji
Secretary: Alicia Wagner
Treasurer: Letícia Adão Gomes
Career Chair: Madison McMinn
Social Chair: Marcela de Barrosl, Brandon Miller, & Marilyn Naeem
Publicity Chair: Caroline Millard
Webmaster: Lakindu Pathira Kankanamge
For list of Executive Board Responsibilities, see Bylaws, Article III, Section 1.
Executive Board Alumni
Meredith Ward
Past Chair
Caitlyn Mills
Matt Giolito
Gina Kim
Catie Rawlins
Primrose Nimnark
Felicia Lucci
Ray Borg
Jackie O’ Neil
Valerie Ivancic
Tim Bergeron
Alireza Shirazi Amin
June Lum
Emily Lewis O’brian
Elizabeth Draganova
Alyssa Napier
Hedi Teng
Brian D’amico
Zemen Berhe – Past Chair – 2021-2022
Zheng Wei
Klaudja Caushi
Tongtong Luo
MOLE DAY seminar with Prof. Alfredo M. Angeles-Boza from UConn!
24th Annual Northeast Student Chemistry Research Conference
German Exchange Program
About The Program
In the spring of 2001, nine members of the German Chemical Society (GDCh) Younger Chemists Committee (JCF) traveled to Boston for a week of networking, cultural exchange and science. This marked the beginning of a very successful annual exchange program between the GDCh-JCF and the Northeastern Section of the American Chemical Society (NESACS) Younger Chemists Committee (YCC).
Each year since the program’s inception, a group of younger chemists has traveled across the Atlantic Ocean to participate in a week-long program. The program usually consists of visits to local laboratories, tours of local companies, presentations at a regional student research conference, networking events and, of course, sight-seeing. Foreign career and educational opportunities are especially emphasized throughout the week.
Program Details
The German Exchange Steering Committee and the Education Committee of the Northeastern Section of the American Chemical Society (NESACS) invite applications from undergraduate and graduate students of chemistry, biochemistry, and chemical engineering (including materials science) at colleges and universities within the Northeastern Section who are currently engaged in original research to spend a week in Germany as the guests of the Jungchemikerforum (Young Chemists Committee; JCF) of the Gesellschaft Deutscher Chemiker (German Chemical Society; GDCh). The exchange group will consist of up to 12 students and a number of faculty and industrial representatives.
Each student representative from NESACS will be expected to make a poster or oral presentation on his/her research at the Frühjahrssymposium, and upon return at the Northeast Student Chemistry Research Conference (NSCRC) in April. Air tickets will be provided by NESACS; accommodations in Germany will be covered by GDCh. A working knowledge of German, while useful, will not be specifically required; the language of the Frühjahrssymposium and the other events will be English.
2016 Exchange in Kiel Germany
There were a total of 12 delegates selected from 6 universities from Boston and New Hampshire. We had two pre-program getting to know you events before our flight from Boston to Hamburg. We were greeted in Hamburg by Elisabeth Kapatsina of the Gesellschaft Deutscher Chemiker (GDCh) and and Andre Augustin of the JungChemikerForum (JCF) who organized the activities, tours, and travel while in Germany. From there we took a bus to Kiel where we met with the local Kiel JCF group at the Kieler Brauerei for dinner and excellent German beer!
Before the start of the conference, we spent the first three days touring a combination of academic and industrial labs. Monday was spent in Kiel touring the IPN Leibniz Institute for Science and Mathematics Education, the Collaborative Research Centre at the University of Kiel, and the Geomar Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research. Tuesday was spent in Hamburg where, thanks to the Hamburg section of the JCF, we got an exclusive tour of the Shell Corporation plant. Wednesday before the conference, we toured the Agro Lab Group LUFA ITL before joining the other conference participants for a walking tour of Kiel.
The main event was the Frühjahrssymposium at the University of Kiel March 16th – 19th where the theme was “Chemistry by the Seaside”. Kyle Cole (Boston College) and Andrew Therrein (Tufts University) were selected for talks at the conference and the other participants had posters. Along with the JCF we had a meet and greet lunch with the GDCh President Dr. Thisbe K. Lindhorst. Each evening of the conference there were social activities at bars and clubs near the university that kept the fun going. The conference dinner on the 19th as at a beautiful restaurant Kieler Schloss where we wined and dined before the conference party at the Luna Club.
The last day of the conference concluded with another poster session and a keynote address. At the closing awards ceremony, our very own Emily Nicotera (Tufts University) won an award for her poster presentation! After the conference several participants went on a tour of the Town Hall Tower which gives a beautiful 360 view of Kiel. The program concluded with a farewell dinner at Schone Aussichten on the waterfront and were gifted our own Kieler Brauerei beer glasses! The Kiel JCF chapter and GDCh were excellent hosts and organized a great experience for all of us. Many thanks to all of those who put in the work to make this exchange wonderful!
2015 GdCh/YCCB Exchange in Boston
In 2015, the international exchange program for young chemists between the Northeastern Section of the American Chemical Society (NESACS) and the Gesellschaft Deutscher Chemiker (GDCh) was expanded beyond the United States and Germany. A spin-off program of the NESACS-GDCh program was created in 2011 between the European Young Chemists Network (EYCN) of EuCheMS and the ACS Younger Chemists Committee, called Younger Chemists Crossing Borders (YCCB). At the 250th American Chemical Society National Meeting and Exposition, a joint exchange program of the two programs was hosted in Boston. The one week scientific and cultural exchange program included 20 international participants and 12 NSYCC representatives from 7 different countries. The program established relationships between participants worldwide.
The program began at the ACS National meeting where 14 delegates from GDCh and 6 delegates from EYCN gave a total of 30 presentations. Additionally, a symposium featuring 12 speakers talked about past, present and future international and inter-society collaborations. Among those speaker were Marinda Wu, past ACS President, HN Cheng, chair of the ACS International Activities Committee, Frederique Backaert, former chair of the EuCheMS European Young Chemists Network (EYCN), Michael Linden, chair of the German YCC called JungChemikerForum (JCF) and Felicia Lucci, chair of the NSYCC.
After the conference, the participants embraced the culture of New England culture by attending a Red Sox game, visiting Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute in Cape Cod, and touring universities and chemical companies in Cambridge. The week was completed with a farewell dinner cruise on the Boston harbor.
The students who participate in the program must apply and are selected based on their accomplishments in research, their interests, and recommendations from their advisors.
Young Chemists Crossing Borders
In order to embrace the globalization of chemists, the Younger Chemists Committee (YCC) of the American Chemical Society (ACS) and the European Young Chemists Network (EYCN) of the European Association for Chemical and Molecular Sciences (EuCheMS) has established an international exchange program. This program focuses on forging relationships among young chemists internationally. During 2015 – 2016, the Northeastern Section of the American Chemical Society (NESACS) has the privilege to host the YCCB exchange program providing the opportunity for chemists in the Greater Boston Area to partake in this experience to unite young chemists on an international platform.
YCC/YCCB: http://ycc.sites.acs.org/yccbcrossingborders.htm
EYCN: www.eycn.eu
History
During the International Year of Chemistry in 2011, EYCN and YCC established an exchange program called Young Chemists Crossing Borders, modeled after the NESACS-GDCh German Exchange program. The competitive application process, selects delegates based on scientific achievement, outstanding interpersonal skills, and society engagement. Since 2011, delegates have attended the ACS National Meetings in both Denver, CO and Indianapolis, IN; the EuCheMS Chemistry Congresses in Prague, Czech Republic and Istanbul, Turkey were also attended by YCCB participants. By alternating between the conferences of partner societies, EYCN and YCC, the program has established lasting and influential relationships among participants worldwide.
2015 YCCB Exchange Hosted by NESACS
For a full account of the 2015 program read our report in the November 2015 Nucleus. http://www.nesacs.org/pub_nucleus/2015/Nov15NUCLEUS.pdf
In August 2015, NESACS had the privilege to host the YCCB during a joint exchange program with the NESACS-GDCh German Exchange Program. During the 250th ACS National Meeting & Exposition in Boston, MA, 14 delegates from GDCh and 6 delegates from EYCN presented a total of 30 presentations. In honor of the joint program, a symposium titled Younger Chemists Exchanging More than Currency: First—Euros and Dollars; Next— Rupees, Rands, and Reais featured both international and local speakers that discussed the significance of international relationships among young chemists.
Participants embraced the New England culture by touring industrial plants, university laboratories, visiting Cape Cod, and attending a Red Sox game at Fenway Park. One of the highlights of the week was a social event at Goodwill Park in Falmouth, MA on Cape Cod where young chemists had the opportunity to network with society leaders and enjoyed a true New England Clambake Dinner sponsored by the EuChemMS, Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), and GDCh.
The highly successful week brought together more than 20 delegates across 7 countries and instilled a passion for international collaborations among chemists.
Outreach
Cambridge Science Festival
The Cambridge Science Festival is an annual event held at the Cambridge Public Library to celebrate science for all ages. The Science Carnival and Robot Zoo hosts demonstrations and interactive exhibits, and in 2019, NSYCC hosted two demonstrations: one showing the acidification of ocean water from carbon dioxide, and the electrolysis of water to generate hydrogen and oxygen gases. The festival is always enjoyable for the demonstrators and the attendees, and we hope to continue participation in the future!
The Magic of Science
For our main outreach event of the year, we hosted an event titled “The Magic of Science” at the Brighton Public Library on December 5th 2015 with over 50 children in attendance.. Valerie Ivancic, NSYCC Webmaster, designed four experiments for the participants that were simple and safe for ages 12 and under. Each table was decorated like the four Hogwarts houses: Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin. At the Gryffindor table Matt Rosienski and Alicia Lee (Clark University) showed the kids how to make their own silly putty using cornstarch, Elmers glue, Borax, and food coloring dye. Meanwhile at the Slytherin table Felicia Lucci (NSYCC Chair) had set up a nanoscience demonstration with toy fuel cell cars and a scanning tunneling microscope that showed students atoms. Valerie was at the Hufflepuff table showing the iodine clock reaction using iodine, Vitamin C, and starch. Last but not least the Ravenclaw table had a milk dispersion experiment with food coloring dye and dish soap demonstrated by Sarah Lach and Astha Bilimoria (Clark University). Each child was provided their own pair of glasses and glove to be “safe like a real scientist”. There was also arts and crafts table where they could paint their own magic wands and decorate their safety glasses. It was great to see the children show so much enthusiasm with the different experiments! Approximately six different K-8 schools were represented, many from Winship Elementary which is a block away from the library. We received great feedback from parents and children alike for this event and we already looking to plan another one for 2016!
East Boston High School Outreach
Thanks to our Career Chair, Ray Borg, we made a connection with graduate student Jerry Gilligan who has fostered connections with local schools, especially East Boston High School. He works closely with Dr. Kristen Cacciatore’s Advanced Placement Chemistry class to bring a more diverse and interactive perspective to the science curriculum. The three of us spent an afternoon in November performing demonstrations of chemistry kits from Flinn Scientific such as “The Disappearing Rainbow” and “Amorphous Monster Foam”. These same kits will be used by the students for their annual Science Day where they will conduct and explain the experiments in front of the parents and teachers. We hope to continue this connection with Jerry and East Boston High School in the future!
Important Organizations
Chemistry Departments In The Northeastern Section
Links For Your Career
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Academic Careers – Looking for a professorship or post-doc? Search here for positions around the globe
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ACS Career Services – Find career management workshops and employment clearing house schedules
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ACS College to Career Website – Walks you through the steps to getting your career of choice
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ACS Graduate Student & Postdoctoral Resources – a list of resources, including Awards and Fellowships, Wellbeing, Professional Development, and much more.
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ACS Postdoc to Faculty Workshop – held in late July/early August; applications required
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ACS Career Kickstarter Workshop (can be held virtually)
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ACS International Activities – A world of collaborative opportunity
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ACS Short Courses – Take a short course, further your education, and stay fresh in today’s competitive job market
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ACS Women Chemists Committee – Women chemists, check the deadlines and apply for funds to travel to scientific meetings this year
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Chemical Engineering News & Chemjobs – Set up an account, post your resume and find a job
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ChemIDP – A self-assessment and career planning tool
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Teach Tomorrow – For those considering a career in teaching
The Chemistry Of Voting: Making Your Voice Heard Workshop
Registering to Vote: Workshop PDF – Workshop Recording
Finding Your Representatives: Workshop PDF – Workshop Recording
New England Representatives Resources
Identifying Scientific Issues: Workshop PDF – Workshop Recording
Determining Bias: Workshop PDF – Workshop Recording
For general inquiries, contact info@nsycc.org
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