ACS-SA's 2022 May Newsletter
|
|
|
April 25th was National DNA Day!
|
|
When thinking of the scientists who contributed to our understanding of DNA, Rosalind Franklin, James Watson, and Francis Crick usually come to mind. In reality, many other scientists also contributed their own pieces of research that allowed the discovery of DNA’s double helical structure. At about the same time as Watson-Crick-Franklin, Marie Maynard Daly was making history by pushing back against a status quo that dictated the lives of so many women. By developing methods to isolate the nucleus and analyze the bases that make up DNA, she contributed to the understanding of not only DNA, but also its structure by determining the amino acid composition of the histone proteins, which DNA wraps around. So important was her work on nucleic acids that is was cited by Watson and Crick in their Nobel address.
In 1947, she was the first African American to receive her PhD in chemistry. As a researcher and professor, Daly became a mentor for the next generation of scientists, leading the recruitment of minority students in fields beyond her own, helping other African Americans achieve their doctorates in the STEM field. Daly passed away in 2003, but her scientific work and successes in breaking down barriers for women and African Americans in science will live on as current and future generations of scientists continue her mission.
|
|
|
Week 1: Welcome Back Social
During week one ACS-SA was happy to hold our quarterly welcome back social and see everyone after spring break. We enjoyed some good food and good company outside before we moved inside for a short presentation on what events people could expect to see from us this quarter. In preparation for our officer applications each current officer gave a quick presentation in regards to what their current position entails for any interested candidates.
|
|
|
|
Week 2: Faculty Speaker, Dr. Tor
During our week two GBM we were joined by our very own Dr. Yitzhak Tor who gave a presentation on his research interests which includes the chemistry of nucleosides, nucleotides, nucleic acids, and the discovery of novel RNA-targeting antiviral and antibacterial agents. Dr. Tor also gave us insights into his journey to become a professor at UC San Diego, as well as sharing his personal hobby of making music. Members who were in attendance were able to take home a CD of Dr. Tor’s groovy tunes.
|
|
|
|
Week 3: Guest Speaker, Dr. Tran
ACS-SA was ecstatic to be joined by Dr. Helen Tran, a professor from the University of Toronto, during our week three GBM. Dr. Tran gave us insights into the exciting world of polymer chemistry and how the alteration of their molecular design can be utilized for different intended purposes. An example of this are the hydrogels that are being employed in California to prevent plants burning and help stop the spread of wildfires.
|
|
|
|
Week 4: Green Chemistry Study Jam
During week four ACS-SA held our first study jam of the quarter! Members were able to not only socialize and polish up some last details before midterms, but also enhance their knowledge of green chemistry through our officer-led green chemistry jeopardy! Our jeopardy game was tournament style where the different teams competed to answer questions on the green chemistry we see within everyday lab practices, as well as what we can do as scientists to reduce hazardous waste.
|
|
|
Week 5: ACS-SA Collaboration with NOBCChE
During week five ACS-SA collaborated with the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE) to explore diversity within the STEM fields. We discussed topics which consisted of intersectionality, implicit bias, representation, and true allyship. We hope that everyone in attendance enjoyed the event as much as we did, and we hope to work towards fostering a more inclusive environment within our community, since allyship is a commitment we must actively work towards everyday. We also want to especially thank Dr. Isaiah Speight and Dr. Tyrslai WIlliams for giving their time to what was truly a wonderful event.
|
|
|
|
ACS-SA's 16th Annual Research Symposium
|
|
|
Come join us on Thursday, May 12th at our 16th annual research symposium to see the research your peers have been working on all year! It is a great opportunity to learn more about the research that is conducted within the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. It will be held in person from 4-7pm in the Natural Science Building Atrium. We will be having food and poster presentations from 4-6pm, followed by awards and a keynote presentation by Professor Nathan Romero from 6-7pm. We hope you are all able to join us in supporting our undergraduate researchers!
|
|
|
“I graduated in 2019 as a pharmacological chemistry major and mathematics minor. I transferred to UCSD as a third-year, and I saw ACS-SA tabling at one of the club events. The enthusiasm of everyone at the table, and the passion they had for research and chemistry is what really drew me into the club; everyone was so welcoming.
I am now focused on statistics, but one of the better experiences that I had as an undergrad was working as an intern at Catalent Pharmaceuticals because it was a way for me to get a lot of hands-on experience in the lab. While I really enjoyed the time I spent interning, I found myself turning away from research in a lab because it takes a lot of passion and dedication and lab work was not really something I saw myself doing in the future. With the experience I had from my math minor, I decided to start going more into the statistical side of things, which is what I’m working on now.
The biggest piece of advice I have for undergraduates is to be open to any experiences that come your way and take advantage of the opportunities that you are given because you never know what they could lead to.”
-Milan Filipovic, 2019 Graduate
|
|
|
Research and Internship Opportunities
|
|
|
Recent Advances in Chemistry
|
|
|
How Hydrogen Fuel Cells Can Lead to Greener Alternatives
|
|
|
|
Researchers at Imperial College in London have recently developed a way to use iron in hydrogen fuel cells instead of the typically rare and expensive platinum. Hydrogen cells, which take hydrogen and convert it into electricity, are a relatively clean energy source, with water vapor as the only byproduct of the conversion process. Typically, platinum is used as a catalyst that facilitates the reaction, but the cost of platinum makes up 60% of the cost of a single cell. The research team at Imperial managed to develop a method to use single-atom iron (in which the atoms are not clumped together and thus more reactive than bulk iron) as a substitute for platinum; in doing so they made these sustainable fuel cells much cheaper and more accessible. This advancement also has the potential to be used in many more projects, including wastewater treatments and reactions using atmospheric oxygen, which could be a step forward toward creating a cleaner and more sustainable lifestyle for humanity.
|
|
|
Phenolphthalein is a common indicator which many of us recognize from our introductory chemistry experiments. It is a useful indicator under basic conditions due to its color changing abilities. This color change occurs around a pH of 8.3-10, due to the deprotonation of the molecule under basic conditions. While it is extremely useful in laboratory settings this was not its intended use. In the late 1800’s William Henry Perkin had created the first synthetic dye which created a boom in both the chemical and clothing industries to create more synthetic dyes. In 1871 Adolf von Bayer was working on phthalein dyes, where he reacted phthalic anhydride with phenol in acidic conditions which yielded the indicator which we today know as phenolphthalein. Adolf von Bayer was later awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his work on synthetic dyes.
|
|
|
|
|
