Chemformation

The Weekly Newsletter of the MIT Chemistry Department

Volume 15, Number 10
Friday, March 28, 1997

Next issue: April 4th. Chemformation is published by the Office of the Department Chairman. The deadline for the next issue is April 2nd. Please convey items of interest (or mailing list changes) to Linda Earle, Room 18-393, Department of Chemistry, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, 617/253-4080; 617/258-7500 (fax) or email 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/chemistry/www/

SEMINAR CALENDAR

Professor Raymond Ashoori

MIT Dept of Physics

"Electrons in Artificial Atoms"

Tuesday, April 1, 1997

4:00 in 2-105

Seminar in Physical Chemistry

Professor Bill Crowe

Emory University

"Metallacycle Mediated Carbon Carbon Bond Forming Reactions"

Wednesday, April 2, 1997

4:00 in 6-120

Refreshments @ 3:30 in 6-321

Seminar in Inorganic Chemistry

Professor Edwin Vedejs

University of Wisconsin

"Asymmetric Transformation and Stereogenic Phosphorus"

Thursday, April 3, 1997

4:00 pm in 6-120

Refreshments @ 3:30 in the Norris Room

Seminar in Organic Chemistry

Dr. Lluis Ribas de Pouplana

Schimmel Lab/MIT Biology

"Evolution of Genetic Code Components: the tRNA Synthetases"

Monday, April 7, 1997

12 pm in 68-181

Macromolecular Structure/Function Seminar Series

Professor Jik Chin

McGill University

"Structure and Phosphodiesterase Activity of Dinuclear Metal Complexes"

Wednesday, April 9, 1997

5:00 at Harvard

Harvard/MIT Inorganic Colloquia

Professor Shelley Copley

University of Colorado at Boulder

"Exploration of the Relationship Between Tetracholorohyoquinone Dehalogenase and the Glutathione S-Transferase Superfamily"

Thursday, April 10, 1997

4:00 pm in 6-120

Refreshments @ 3:30 outside of 6-120

Seminar in Biological Chemistry

Professor David Nelson

Harvard University

"Localization, Population Biology, and Related Problems"

Thursday, April 10, 1997

5:00 in MB23

Refreshments @ 4:30 outside MB23

Harvard/MIT Seminar @ Harvard

Professor Jan-Erling Bäckvall

Uppsala University

"Palladium-Catalyzed Oxidation of Allenes and Conjugated Dienes"

Friday, April 11, 1997

4:00 in 2-105

Seminar in Organic Chemistry

Ciaran Brennan

Nelson Group

"Wavector Overtone Spectroscopy: Characterizing potential energy surfaces in crystals through large-amplitude ionic vibrations"

Friday, April 11, 1997

5:00 p.m. in 4-163

Refreshments @ 4:45 in 6-321 (Moore Room)

Graduate Seminar Series in Physical Chemistry

Chemistry 5.561 - "Chemistry in Industry" Lecture Series

All Lectures will take place at 10:00 a.m. in Room 6-120, Coffee with speaker at 9:30 outside of Room 6-120.

April 8, 1997:

Dr. Karen R. Romines, Pharmacia and Upjohn

"Asymmetric Synthesis of Dihydropryones. A New Class of Potent Nonpeptidic HIV Protease Inhibitors"

April 29, 1997:

Dr. Cyril Mahaim, Chemical Development - Firmenich, Inc.

"Industrial Synthesis of Fragrance Compounds"

May 6, 1997:

Dr. David L. Coffen, Vice-President, Chemistry - Arqule

"Automated Parallel Synthesis: A New Tool for Drug Discovery"

May 13, 1997:

Dr. Stephen W. Kaldor, Head, Combinatorial Chemistry Research Eli Lilly and Company

"From Structure-Based Design to Combinatorial Chemistry: Skill Sets for the Successful 21st Century Chemist in the Pharmaceutical Industry"

Please Join Us at the American Chemical Society Reception !!

All faculty, graduate students and alumni/ae attending the spring ACS Meeting in San Francisco are welcome to attend the social hour on Monday, April 14th from 6:00 to 7:30 pm in the Sir Frances Drake Hotel, Room: Tudor A.

Tune-Up for T.A.'s Spring 97

On Wednesday, April 16th please join us from 3:30 to 5:00 in the Moore Room 6-321 for "The End is in Sight!", (What's working, what isn't, and Facilitating communication between students and faculty), the last of the spring TA tune-up series. Refreshments will be served.

"Captivating Classes: for Chemistry Faculty Meeting the Lecture Challenge"

On Friday, April 4 at 2:00 p.m., Dr. Lori Breslow, Director for Teaching Initiatives, will lead a lecture technique workshop for Chemistry faculty in Room 2-321. The focus of this session will be the maximizing of teaching effectiveness in large classes. During this interactive session, they will address the challenges that faculty face and share techniques that have been developed for successfully teaching large undergraduate subjects. Topics will include the structuring and organizing of complex materials, tips on presentation skills for an audience of hundreds and methods of increasing student participation. Please plan on attending!!

Congratulations to Christina Eng

Christina Eng, a Chemistry junior, has been awarded the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship for excellence in scholarship and academic activities. Congratulations, Christina!

Glass Blowing Services Available

Bob DiGiacomo will be coming in on Wednesdays or Thursdays to pick up any glass blowing work that you may have available. Please bring any work to room 6-031 or call Ed Udas or John Annese at 3-4505. Bob will do the work on a first-come basis.

Help Get Organized!

Call Ed Udas at 253-4505 or stop by room 6-026 if students, faculty or staff need help in organizing their MIT space.

Requests for Pre-Proposals for Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute Sea Grant Program

The WHOI Sea Grant program supports research, education and advisory projects to promote a wise use and understanding of ocean and coastal resources for the public benefit. It is part of the National Sea Grant College Program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a network of 29 individual programs. During the 1996-98 funding cycle, the WHOI will support 18 concurrent research projects, including those that were awarded during the special enhancement competition in 1995. Average awards for individuals are $50,000 per year. The theme areas for 1998-2000 are: fisheries and aquaculture environmental technology and coastal processes, however preproposals representing other areas will be considered. For marine policy proposals, preference will be given to projects that fit into one of the above-mentioned theme areas. Their website describes all their programs: http://www.whoi.edu/seagrant/ Their deadline for preproposals is 18 of April and a two-page summary of your research with the following format is desired: PI, Dept. Institution and project title, 1, description, 2, rationale for project, 3, innovativeness, 4. application and outreach, 5. estimated duration of project and 6. budget. Please send an original and six copies to: Dr. Judith E. McDowell, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Sea Grant Program, 193 Oyster Pond Road, MS #2, Woods Hole, MA 02543-1525, e-mail: seagrant@whoi.edu

Positions

• Excalibur Human Resource's client, Bristol-Myers Squibb in both Princeton, NJ and Wallinford, CT: have openings for associate research scientists. The scientists will be working with a Ph.D. supervisor synthesizing compounds in the laboratory within either the oncology, metabolic diseases, or combinatorial chemistry departments. Experience is a B.S. with 1-2 years relevant experience or MS with no experience. Please contact: Marianne Kneuker at 1800-922-5427, ext. 25.
  
  
• Washington and Lee University, Lexington, VA: Instructional Staff in the Department of Chemistry for a permanent, non-tenure track position for September of 1997. Candidates should have a Master's or Ph.D. in chemistry or biochemistry and must have a demonstrated interest in teaching at the undergraduate level. Principal responsibilties will include labs and recitation sections in General Chemistry. Ancillary duties may ultimately include undergraduate advising, developing experiments for upper level biochemistry and instrumental analysis courses, and providing assistance to ongoing summer research programs. Interested applicants should send a resume, transcripts, and three letters of reference to: michael A. Pleva, Head, Department of Chemistry, Washington and Lee University, Lexington. VA 24450
  
  

Postdoctoral Positions

• Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas: Has an opening in the research group of D. Max Roundhill, Chairman of the Department who has experience in synthesis and/or coordination chemistry. The position will involve the synthesis of new chemically modified calixarenes for use as science complexants for heavy metals. A background in either organic or inorganic chemistry is suitalbe. Interested candidates should send a cv outling educational and work experience directly to Professor Roundhill plus the names of at least three people who will act as a reference. Texas Tech University, Box 41061, Lubbock, Texas 79409-1061.
  
  
• American Chemical Society, Washington, D.C.: offers a unique opportunity for a scientist to join the ACS stafff and complete one or more selected science policy projects that contribute to the Society's discussions and recommendations in areas of importance to the science community, assist in the development of offiicial ACS policy statements and testimony for Congress and meet with Capitol Hill staff and federal agency officials. The fellowship is for one or two years with an annual salary of $40K with ACS benefits packages as well with a relocation allowance. Support from present employer and other sources is allowed. ACS members at any point in their careers may apply and a Ph.D. is not a requirement. Applications are due by June 2, 1997, for more information and application instructions, contact: Wanda Guice at (202) 872-4479, e-mail: w_guice@asc.org. or write to: ACS, Dept. of Governmental Relations and Science Policy, 1155 16th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20036.
  
  

Faculty Positions

Please note, unless otherwise specified, most faculty positions require a resume, short description of research plans and to arrange for three letters of recommendation to be sent directly to the specific university or college.

• University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico: Seeks applicants for an analytical chemist position to begin as early as August of 1997. The search for candidates includes those with interests in spectroscopy, MS, NMR of large molecules or separation (i.e. capillary electrophoresis). Applicants should have post-doctoral experience and demonstrate the ability to establish a vigorous research program. Send information by 5/15 to: Professor Reginald Morales, Chair, Dept. of Chemistry, Rio Pedras Campus, University of Puerto Rico, PO Box 23346, San Juan, Puerto Rico, 00931-3346
  
  

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