Chemformation
The Weekly Newsletter of the MIT Chemistry Department
Volume 13, Number 15
Friday, April 25, 1997
Next issue: Friday, May 2nd. Chemformation is published by the Office of the Department Chairman. The deadline for the next issue is Tuesday, April 29. Please convey items of interest (or mailing list changes) to Linda Earle Room 18-390, Department of Chemistry, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, 617/253-1803; 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/chemistry/www/
SEMINAR CALENDAR
- Igor Levchenko
- Baker Laboratory-Dept. Biology, MIT
- "Role of the ClpX Chaperone During Phage Mu Transposition"
- Monday, April 28, 1997
- 12:00 noon in 68, Room 181
- Macromolecular Structure/Function Seminar Series
- Professor Doctor Gerhard Ertl
- The Fritz-Haber-Institute der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft
- "Self-Organization in Surface Reactions"
- Tuesday, April 29, 1997
- 4:00 p.m. in 54-100
- The 1997 Arthur D. Little Lectures in Physical Chemistry
- Reception follows immediately in 18-490
- Dr. Cyril Mahaim
- Industrial Development, Firmenich, Inc.
- "Industrial Synthesis of Fragrance Compounds"
- Tuesday, April 29, 1997
- 9:30 a.m. in Room 6-120
- 5.561 Chemistry in Industry Series
- Dr. JoAnne Stubbe
- MIT - Dept. of Chemistry
- "Ribonucleodtide Ruductases: Radical Enzumes with Suicidal Tendencies"
- Tuesday, April 29, 1997
- 4:00 p.m. in 6-120
- MIT/Novartis Symposium
- Shari Dunham
- Lippard Group
- "Cisplatin Chemotherapy: Investigating the Role of DNA Sequence and Structure"
- Wednesday, April 30, 1997
- 4:00 p.m. in 6-120
- Refreshments @ 3:30 in 6-321
- Inorganic Seminar Series
- Professor Doctor Gerhard Ertl
- The Fritz-Haber-Institute der Max-Planck- Gesellschaft
- "Electronic Excitations in Adsorption at Metal Surfaces"
- Thursday, May 1, 1997
- 5:00 p.m. in 6-120
- The 1997 Arthur D. Little Lecturer in Physical Chemistry
- Refreshments @ 4:30 outside of 6-120
- Clifford Robinson
- Professor Sauer's Lab, Dept. of Biology -MIT
- "Molecular Recognition of Arc Repressor Subunits' Effects of Protein Engineering and Interactions in Non-Native Subunits"
- Monday, May 5, 1997
- 12:00 noon in 68, Room 181
- Macromolecular Structure/Function Seminar Series
- Professor Carl W. Garland
- Department of Chemistry at MIT
- "3D-XY Universality for Three Ligand Crystal Phase Transitions: Smectic-A to N, SmC, and HexB"
- Tuesday, May 6, 1997
- 4:00 p.m. in 2-105
- Refreshments @ 3:30 in 6-233
- Physical Chemistry Seminar Series
- Professor Lawrence Sita
- University of Chicago
- "New Main Group Compounds, Materials and Reactions"
- Wednesday, May 7, 1997
- 4:00 p.m. in 6-120
- Refreshments @ 3:30 Moore Room 6-321
- Inorganic Seminar Series
- John Gross
- (Professor Griffin Group)
- "Recent Advances Toward the Structure Determination of Peptides Through Solid State NMR"
- Friday, May 9, 1997
- 5:00 p.m. in 6-120
- Refreshments in 6-321 @ 4:45 in Moore Room (6-321)
- Graduate Seminar Series in Physical Chemistry
- David Goldenberg
- University of Utah
- "Disulffide-Coupled Protein Folding in Cows and Snails"
- Monday, May 12, 1997
- 12:00 p.m. in 68-181
- Macromolecular Structure/Function Seminar Series
- Professor Amitabha Sinha
- University of California
- "Photochemistry and Dissociation Dynamices of Atmospherically Important Molecules"
- Tuesday, May 13, 1997
- 4:00 p.m. in 2-105
- Refreshments @ 3:30 in 6-233
- Physical Chemistry Seminar Series
- Dr. Stuart H. Yuspa
- National Cancer Institute
- "The Pathogenesis of Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Lessions Learned from Studies of Mouse Skin Carcinogenesis"
- Thursday, May 15, 1997
- 4:00 p.m. in 66-11-
- Whitaker College of Health Sciences
- Division of Toxicology
- Professor Lanny Liebeskind
- Emory University
- Title TBA
- Thursday, May 15, 1997
- 4:00 in 6-120
- Refreshments @ 3:30 in 18-490
- Organic Seminar Series
MIT/Novartis Symposium To Be Held On Tuesday, April 29, 1997
All are welcome to attend the MIT/Novartis Symposium on Tuesday, April 29 at 4:00 PM in 6-120. This special event will feature research presentations by Professor JoAnne Stubbe, "Ribonucleotide Reductases: Radical Enzymes with Suicidal Tendencies" and Professor David E. Housman, "From Genome to Function". Representatives from Novartis AG,which resulted from the merger of Ciba Geigy and Sandoz, will discuss the transition from Ciba Geigy to Novartis and some of the evolving research interests and activities resulting from the merger. This is a great opportunity for those of you who are exploring job options to learn about this newly merged pharmaceutical company. There will be ample time for discussion. Following the event, an informal reception will be held in the Moore Room,6-321. Questions? Contact Julie C. Parker at x3-8055 or jparker@mit.edu. We hope to see you there!
Chemistry 5.561: "Chemistry in Industry" Lecture Series
(All Lectures will take place at 9:30 am in Room 6-120.)
- 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"
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, first-served basis.
Positions
- BioDevelopment Laboratories, a Division of Genzyme Transgenics/TSI Corporation, Cambridge, MA: Seeks a laboratory assistant (Inhalation Formulation and analytical chemistry) to analyze samples related to testing of pharmaceuticals using a variety of techniques. Requires a B.S. degree in scientific discipline (chemistry preferred) with 0-2 years of experience or relevant experience with HPLC. Please contact Demonda Giokas at 234-5237 or fax to (617) 234-5211 at GTC. Genzyme Transgenics is a dynamic biotech company engaged in transgenic production of high-volume genetically engineered products and specialized pharmaceutical and biological testing services.
- Manuso, Alexander & Associates, Inc: A retained executive search firm for early and mid-stage biotech companies has a client who has hired them to search for candidates for a start-up company based in Princeton, NJ. The first 6-12 months the company will be situation in New York City at Audobon Biomedical Center on 168th Street across from Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center. Once the company's new lab space is prepared, the work will take place in Edison, N.J. The client company is developing products and technologies for diagnostic imaging, cancer therapy and related therapeutics based on a proprietary monoclonal antibody, radiolabeling and enabling peptide platform for generating highly stabilized peptides as drug candidates. The critical requirement for the position is a strong, practical and theoretical expertise in synthetic, organic, peptidomimetic and/or organometallic chemistry and related areas in the drug discovery context. The preferred candidate will have experience in asymmetric synthesis and optical resolution of unnatural amino acids and related optically active compounds. In addition, the candidate will be current in a variety of purification techniques, including HPLC, and know how to use modern spectroscopy techniques such as NMR, MS. IR, UV etc. The qualifications range from B.S. to Ph.D. Please contact Alden Prouty, Vice-President at Manusco, Alexander and Associates, Inc. 44 Pondfield Road, Suite #1, Bronxville, New York 10708, Telephone is 914-337-5000 and fax is 914-337-6028.
- Lithium Energy Associates, Waltham, MA: has an opening for a chemist with a MS or equivalent experience in physical or inorganic chemistry for research and development of lithium rechargeable batteries. Lithium Energy Associates carries out R&D of lithium-inorganic liquid electrolyte rechargeable batteries for aerospace, communications, robotics and low temperature applications. The position involved the preparation of electrolyte solutions using an argon glove box and vacuum transfer techniques and the analysis of the solutions using FT-IR and electrochemical methods. The candidates would also be involved in the construction and performance characterization of laboratory lithium cells including the analysis and interpretation of results. The cell investigations will involve innovative research that will likely results in patents and technical publications. The candidate need not have had courses or experience in electrochemistry but such a background would be an asset. The applicant should posses an M.S. but a Ph.D. will also be considered. For consideration, please contact: Lithium Energy Associates, Inc. 225 Crescent Street, Waltham, MA 02154.
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign: Has an opening for a full-time lecturer in its general chemistry program for the 1997-98 academic year. The functions of the position are a) live lecture instruction, and b). oversight of small format sections and laboratory sections in General Chemistry and c), participate in department efforts to integrate advanced multimedia capabilities and computer-assisted instruction in the General Chemistry program. Duties include: lecturing in General Chemistry, providing supervision for teaching assistants and associates in quiz, lecture, laboratory and recitation sections. These duties specifically require specialized advanced training in Chemistry beyond the BS level with experience or training in pedagogical aspects of instructional delivery in Chemistry, as demonstrated either by a MS or Ph.D. Apply to Professor Alex Scheeline, 106 Noyes Lab, Box D-1, 505 South Mathews Avenue, Urbana, Illinois, 61801 (217) 333-5071.
Postdoctoral Positions
- Ray Rabindran from Prof. Vernon Ingram's lab in the Biology Dept has information on the Kauffman Fellowship in venture capital, which offers a fellowship program which might be appropriate for some of the Ph.D. students in Chemistry who are interested in a non-traditional career. The Kauffman Fellowship program is essentially a two-year internship in the venture capital industry sponsored by the Kauffman Foundation (Kansas City, MO). The Foundation was established by Ewing Marion Kauffman, the founder of Marion Laboratories. The Fellowship is targeted at individuals with advanced degrees in science, engineering, or business who are interested in learning about entrepreneurship and the venture capital process. This year's group of fellows also includes a Ph.D. student in E.J. Corey's lab at Harvard (i.e. they don't all have MBA's). We will all be paired up with mentors in our designated venture funds. It is a very unique opportunity to become involved with the process of commercializing emerging technologies from a very different perspective, yet still applying an understanding of the basic sciences. Like the Industrial Internship program that is currently being developed in the department, it could provide another option for students. A brochure is available and if you have any questions about the program, you can leave him email, rabindr@MIT.EDU Ray Rabindran 253-3707
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.
- Bowdoin College, Brunswick, ME: Has an opening for a physical chemist for one year beginning in the fall of 1997. The possibility exists for extension to a second year, for a Ph,D, who will be expected to teach core physical chemistry and entry-level chemistry courses, and will be encouraged to collaborate in existing projects. Contact Professor Jeffrey K. Nagle, Chair, Department of Chemistry, Bowdoin College, 6600 College Station, Brunswick, ME 04011-8466.
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