Chemformation

The Weekly Newsletter of the MIT Chemistry Department

Volume 11, Number 37
Friday, October 13, 1995

Next Issue: Friday, October 20. Chemformation is published by the Office of the Department Chairman. The deadline for the next issue is Tuesday, October 17. Please convey items of interest (or mailing list changes) to Linda Naida, Room 18-393, Department of Chemistry, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, 617/253-4080; 617/258-7500 (fax) or e-mail to lkn@mit.edu. Back issues of Chemformation can be accessed via the Chemistry Department Website.

Visit the Chemistry Department Website at http://web.mit.edu/afs/athena.mit.edu/org/c/chemistry/www/

Professor Mario Molina Wins Nobel Prize in Chemistry for Discovery of Ozone Depletion!!!!

The 1995 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded on Wednesday, October 11 to Professor Mario Molina for discovering the depletion of the ozone layer, which the Nobel committee termed "the Achilles heel of the universe." Professor Molina shares the $1 million prize with Professor Paul Crutzen, of the Max-Planck Institute for Chemistry in Mainz, Germany and Professor F. Sherwood Rowland of the Department of Chemistry at the University of California at Irvine.

In 1974, Molina and Rowland published an article in Nature on the developing threat to the ozone layer from the use of chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) gases, the freons used in spray bottles, in refrigeration, and plastic foams. The Nobel committee noted that although many were critical of the Molina-Rowland calculations, "it was to turn out that they had even underestimated the risk."

MIT President Charles M. Vest commented, "We are extremely pleased that such a productive and respected member of the MIT community has won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. This award emphasizes that the most fundamental scientific inquiry can turn out to have extremely important ramifications for our world. It also shows that sometimes nice guys finish first."

Professor Mario J. Molina, The Lee and Geraldine Martin Professor of Environmental Sciences

Professor Molina's work led to the first definitive demonstration of a truly global environmental effect of human activities - the chlorofluorocarbon-ozone depletion theory first presented in 1974. He was the principal author of the paper describing this theory, and was also principal co-author on a meritorious series of papers from 1976-86 that defined and refined the relevant kinetics of the compounds that act as "temporary reservoirs" for the free radicals responsible for catalytic ozone destruction. More recently, he hasdemonstrated in the laboratory a fundamental new chemical reaction whereby the reservoir compounds ClONO2 and HCl can decompose on the surface of ice cloud particles in the polar stratosphere yielding Cl2 and thus Cl and ClO. Equally important he proposed and demonstrated experimentally a new reaction sequence involving formation and decomposition of C1OOC1, which enables the above C1O in polar regions to catalytically destroy ozone. This contribution of a new chemical reaction and a new catalytic cycle appears to account for most if not all of the observed ozone destruction in the Antarctic Ozone s Hole.

Professor Molina's latest research directions include work at the interface of the atmosphere-biosphere, which is critical to understanding global climate-change processes. He has received several awards for his scientific work including the Tyler Award in 1983, the Esselen Award of the American Chemical Society in 1987, and the Newcomb-Cleveland Prize of the American Association for the Advancement of Science for his 1987 paper in Science describing his work on the Antarctic Ozone Hole chemistry. In 1989 he received the NASA Medal for Exceptional Scientific Achievement, and from 1990-92 he was a Pew Scholar on Conservation and Environment. In 1994, Professor Molina was named by President Clinton to serve on the 18-member President's Committee of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST). The PCAST advises the President on issues involving science and technology in achieving national goals, and assists the cabinet-level National Science and Technology Council in securing private-sector participation in its activities.

Professor Molina was born in Mexico City, Mexico in 1943. He came to MIT in 1989 after holding teaching and research positions at the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico; the University of California, Berkeley; the University of California, Irvine, and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory at the California Institute of Technology. He holds a chemical engineer degree (1965) from the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, a postgraduate degree (1967) from the University of Freiberg, West Germany, and the Ph.D. (1972) from the University of California, Berkeley. He is married to Luisa T. Molina, who also conducts research at MIT related to ozone depletion in the Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences. The Molina family resides in Lexington, MA and their son, Felipe, is a freshman at Brown University.

SEMINAR CALENDAR

George Büchi Visiting Lecturer in Organic Chemistry: Professor Andrew G. Myers; California Institute of Technology; "Dynemicin: A Convergent Synthesis of the Unusual Enediyne Reveals Some Mechanistic Surprises" and "Neocarzinostatin: A New Mechanistic Puzzle and a Synthetic Problem Solved"; Monday, October 16, 1995; Tuesday, October 17, 1995; 4:00 in Room 6-120; Reception (Monday) immediately following in the Moore Room, 6-321
Harvard/MIT Physical Chemistry Seminar: Professor Kenneth Janda; University of California at Irvine; "How Do the Electric Wave Functions of Molecules Change With Bond Length, And How Does This Affect Molecular Dynamics?"; Thursday, October 19, 1995; 5:00 at MIT Room 6-120; Refreshments served at 4:30 in Room 6-233

Women in Chemistry Conference

Friday, October 20 and Saturday, October 21 !!

The MIT Department of Chemistry is pleased to announce a conference to be held on October 20 and 21 focusing on the challenges and successes of women in chemistry. The two day event will be comprised of presentations and discussions led by prominent women in the scientific community. The agenda promises to be stimulating and includes a variety of topics such as: technical descriptions of innovative research projects being directed by women chemists; industry vs. academia: choosing which one is best for you; advice on alternate career paths after graduate school, and achieving a successful career and enjoying a rewarding personal life.

Schedule - Friday, October 20, 1995

Location: Little Kresge, Building W16 Lower Level

Women in Academia

8:00 a.m.: Registration/Coffee
9:00 a.m.: Welcome; Professor Stephen J. Lippard; Chairperson, MIT Department of Chemistry
9:15 a.m.: Forced Distortion: Synthetic Models for Oxygen Activation by Non-heme Iron Enzymes, Joan Broderick
10:00 a.m.: Chemical Routes to Materials with Designed Properties, Patricia Bianconi
10:45 a.m.: Coffee Break
11:00 a.m.: The Thrills and Hills of Academic Life, Michelle Millar
11:45 a.m.: Women in Academia Panel Discussion; Panelists: Patricia Bianconi, Michelle Millar, Julia Miwa; Moderators: Shari U. Dunham, and Linda S. Shimizu
12:45 p.m.: Box Lunch at Ashdown House

Women In Industry

2:00 p.m.: Microcolumn Separations in Electronic and Photonic Manufacturing, Linda Anthony
2:45 p.m.: Use of PCR Technology in Diagnostic Testing, Carol Ryerson
3:30 p.m.: Women in Industry Panel Discussion; Panelists: Linda Anthony, Carol Ryerson, Cheryl Martin; Moderators: Chris Garrett, Ann Valentine
6:00 p.m.: Cocktail hour at the Faculty Club
7:00 p.m.: Banquet at the Faculty Club (cash bar); Presentation by Elga Wasserman; A View from the Top: Women Scientists Reflecting on their Careers

Saturday, October 21, 1995

Location: Bartos Theatre , Building 34-101

Career Choices

8:30 a.m.: Continental Breakfast
9:30 a.m.: Other Opportunities in Chemistry, Paula Olsiewski
10:15 a.m.: Cross-Linked Enzyme Crystals: Several Applications in Synthesis, Susan Sobolov
11:00 a.m.: Snapshots from One Career in the Chemical Industry in the 1990's, Cheryl Martin
noon: Career Choices Panel Discussion; Panelists: Jill Mandelblatt, Paula Olsiewski, Susan Sobolov,; Judith Selwyn, Judith Herzfeld; Moderators: Natasha Kablaoui, Martha Rook
2:00 p.m.: Casual Reception at Character's Bar and Grill in Kendall Square

Faculty Research Talks for First-Year Graduate Students

All talks are at 7:00 PM

Tue., Oct. 17: Prof. Seyferth: Norris Room (18-490); Prof. Orme-Johnson: Amdur Room (6-233)
Wed., Oct. 18: Prof. Schrock: Moore Room (6-321)
Thurs., Oct 19: Prof. Griffin: Norris Room (18-490)
Tues. Oct. 24: Prof. Cummins: Norris Room (18-490)

Faculty Positions

The University of Rochester, Rochester, New York: seeks applicants for a position of Assistant Professor of Chemical Physics. Candidates are expected to establish vigorous research programs. E-mail: samu2db1.cc.rochester.edu
The University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, MN: is seeking to fill two organic faculty positions with research fields in the area of modern organic chemistry, particular emphasis on polymer synthesis.
Cornell University, Ithaca, New York: is looking for candidates in experimental biophysical chemistry for a tenure-track appointment in their Chemistry Department.
Duke University, Durham, N.C.: invites applications for four openings in Chemistry. Two positions are at the Chaired Professor level and two are at the tenure-track level. The Chaired Professorships are in the area of Organic Chemistry, while the two assistant positions would be in organic and physical chemistry.
Purdue University: West Layayette, IN: invites applicants for a tenure-track position in the are of Inorganic Chemistry at the assistant professor level. Preference is for candidates whose research interests complement current areas.
The Chemistry and Geochemistry Department at Montana Tech at the University of Montana, Butte, MT: is seeking a tenure-track position in environmental geochemistry at the assistant professor level for the fall of 1996. E-mail Professor Doug Coe at dacoe@mtvms2.mtech.edu
The University of Washington, Seattle, WA: seeks candidates for a theoretical or computational chemist. Applicants should be highly motivated to develop a rigorous research program. emai: search@chem.washington.edu
Indiana University in Bloomington, IA: seeks creative and talented individuals for a tenure-track position in Organic Chemistry. Position requires ability to teach both graduate and undergraduate courses.

Postdoctoral Positions

Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO: has an opening for a postdoctoral fellow in Clinical Chemistry. This unique program provides individuals with clinical, technical and management training for a career in Clinical Chemistry, while allowing them to pursue their research interests. The programs begin in March, July and November.

Positions

Children's Hospital is looking for qualified individuals to perform research in various departments in neurosurgery and pulmonary. The first position requires a B.A. in Biology and background in cell or molecular biology and lab experience with primary cell cultures, gel electrophoresis, high performance liquid chromatography while the second requires a B.A. in science and at least two years of research experience and some supervisory experience. E-mail McGaff@al.tch.Harvard.edu or fax to McGaff at 617-355-7884.
Johnson and Johnson, New Brunswick, NJ: has a position open for a senior scientist in their topical formulation and drug delivery research program. The scientist would develop and evaluate leading core technologies for skin care products. A Ph.D. is required.
The Shepard Color Company, Cincinnati, Ohio: has an opening for a research chemist in their research and development department. Primary duties include: independent research to develop new products in field of complex-metal-oxide pigments. The candidate needs a Ph.D. in organic chemistry with experience in spectroscopy, ceramics, or materials science.

Recruiting Note:

3 M will be on campus on Wednesday, November 1 from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. in Gilliland Auditorium 66-110 to host an informal presentation before the recruiting in the Chemistry Department on November 2 and 3. Please feel free to attend to discuss career paths and specific career opportunities.

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