Chemistry and Global Security at the Washington, DC Meeting

The overarching theme for the Fall 2009 ACS National Meeting in Washington, DC is chemistry and global security. As theme organizer, Dr. Sadiq Shah, Associate Vice President, Office of Research & Economic Development, Western Kentucky University, developed the theme “Chemistry and Global Security: Challenges and Opportunities.”

The location and the timing of the Washington, DC meeting present ACS with a unique opportunity to address questions related to chemistry and global security. The location will facilitate access to the funding agencies that can present the global security challenges and opportunities to be addressed over the next decade or so, as well as to a new administration that will be looking for ideas and a dialogue with the scientific community to set an agenda for the next four years or more. Most importantly, this is a unique opportunity for our divisional program planning leadership to showcase the creative solutions of chemistry by creating programming that addresses these themes. This broad theme allows chemists from all specialties to participate by assembling innovative symposia that they feel best showcase their efforts.

Presidential Plenary Symposium on Chemistry and Global Issues: Challenges and Opportunities

Sunday, August 16, 2009, 3:00-6:30 p.m.

Thought Leader: Dr. Vahid Majidi, Assistant Director, FBI’s Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate
Academic Leader: Dr. Mark Wrighton, Chancellor, Washington University, St. Louis
Business Leader: Dr. Stephanie A. Burns, CEO and Chair of the Board, Dow Corning
Funding Agency: Dr. Arden Bement, Director, National Science Foundation

113 symposia on subthemes including:

Chemistry and Global Security
Education and Careers
Emerging Technologies
Energy and Sustainability
Food Safety and Environment
Funding Opportunities