Chemformation

The Newsletter of the MIT Chemistry Department

Volume 18, Number 2

Friday, January 25, 2002

Chemformation is published by the Office of the Department Chairman. Please convey items of interest (or mailing list changes) to Liz McGrath, Room T18-390, Department of Chemistry, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, 617/253-4080; 617/258-7500 (fax) or e-mail to emg@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/.

Upcoming Seminars and Lectures

ANNOUNCEMENTS

WELCOME to Professor Robert A. Batey, Visiting Associate Professor. Rob was raised in the "Black Country", in the midlands of England, named after the soot-blackened environment of what was once the industrial heartland of Britain. He was educated at the University of Oxford (B.A., 1988) and then saw the light and moved to the Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London for his graduate studies, working under the guidance of Prof. William Motherwell (Ph.D., 1992). He conducted post-doctoral work on synthetic approaches to the anti-cancer compound taxol with Prof. Jeffrey Winkler, at the University of Pennsylvania, and jointly at what was then the Upjohn Company. Following the very different environments of West-Philly and Kalamazoo, Michigan, in 1994, he migrated North to a faculty appointment at the Dept. of Chemistry at the University of Toronto. His research in organic chemistry spans the areas of synthetic methods, natural product synthesis and medicinal chemistry. Rob and his wife Nita have two young children Jack and Maya. The eldest, Jack, is particularly thrilled at the level of construction projects going on around Boston, and "loves" all of the power shovels, bulldozers and cranes on display. Rob’s office is located in the Temporary Faculty Offices, Room 18-115(T); his email address is rbatey@mit.edu.

WELCOME to Lena Ortins:The Department extends a warm welcome to Lena M. Ortins, who has recently been added to our support staff. Her responsibilities are to serve as the administrator of the Cancer Training Grant reporting to Professor Stephen Lippard. Lena will also serve as our departmental liaison for fundraising activities. A high priority will be to assist in finding funds for graduate fellowships. Lena spent the last five years in industry, more recently planning corporate events. She enjoys cooking, traveling and outdoor activities. She is located in the Temporary Faculty Offices. Her email address is lmortins@mit.edu, and her extension number is 2-3521.

WELCOME to Kim Scantlebury: The Department extends a warm welcome to Kim who has joined the Department in the capacity of Administrative Assistant to Professor Joanne Stubbe. Kim is new to MIT but not new to the University. She grew up in Cambridge and has, over the years, enjoyed going to many family events at MIT. She believes MIT and its community provides a great environment to advance one’s career and educational path. Although, it was a little difficult making the transition from the business (industry) to a university atmosphere, she really enjoys working for the Chemistry Department and loves being back in the diverse community that MIT offers. She is located in the Temporary Faculty Offices. Her email address is kscants@mit.edu, and her extension number is 3-1841.

ANNUAL TAX INFORMATION WORKSHOP FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS

WHO ARE US CITIZENS AND PERMANENT RESIDENTS

Friday, February 22, 2-002

Room 4-370

A formal presentation will be followed by a Q& A session during which students will have the opportunity to ask specific questions regarding taxation policies on Fellowships and RA and TA’s. Federal and State forms will be available in the lobby of 4-370 before, during and immediately following the workshop. There will be a separate tax workshop for International Students. Please contact: Maria Brennan, International Students Office, 253-3795, Room 5-133 for further information.

CGSC (CHEMISTRY GRADUATE STUDENT COMMITTEE) NEWS

The CGSC has organized the first TGIF for the year and it will take place on January 25th, in the Moore room (6-321) at 5:30 PM.

For those who don't know what the CGSC is - visit their website at: http://web.mit.edu/diff/www/chemgrad/index.html.

The CGSC sponsored Biochemistry Journal Club will be meeting on Friday, January 25^th, in the Amdur Room (6-233) at 9:00 AM. The paper which will be discussed is:

Catalytic coupling of the active sites in acetyl-CoA synthase, a bifunctional CO-channeling enzyme.

Maynard EL, Lindahl PA. Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843-3255, USA.

Biochemistry (2001) 40(44):13262-7.

FELLOWSHIP AND AWARDS OPPORTUNITIES

CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL SECURITY AND COOPERATION: The Center for International Security and Cooperation is a multidisciplinary community dedicated to research and training in issues of international security. CISAC’s Science Program offers fellowships for scientists and engineers to explore the policy dimensions of a research topic of their choosing in an interdisciplinary environment. Fellowships are available for postdoctoral fellows and mid-career professionals. Stipends are awarded for an eleven-month period and are determined on a case-by-case basis commensurate with experience. Deadline for applications is February 15, 2002. More information is available in Chemistry Headquarters.

MIT FRANCE - MINISTRY OF RESEARCH - Post-doctoral fellowship (5)
Subjects: all research fields. Place of research: a research laboratory in a French school or institute. Open to: young researchers at the post-doctoral level, of certain nationalities (check list on the web), currently working in an MIT-related laboratory. The host laboratory must submit applications. Duration: 12 months. Value: 1,800 euros per month, health insurance. Travel expenses are not included. Application Deadline: February 28, 2002. More information available in Chemistry Headquarters.

UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD-NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH SCHOLARS IN THE BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES PROGAM: The National Institutes of Health-University of Oxford Scholars in Biomedical Science interdisciplinary program is specially devoted to the training of outstanding students in various areas of biomedical research leading to a Doctor of Philosophy degree awarded by the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. Being a collaborative program between the NIH laboratories and University of Oxford, students are provided with the opportunity to work at both institutions. Student research projects will be co-mentored by a research investigator at NIH and a faculty member at University of Oxford who work together on a collaborative project in which students carry out research. It is envisioned that students will spend roughly half of their time at Oxford and half their time at NIH, though the specific division of time will be dictated by the nature of the research. Students will receive a stipend of $18,500 per year, travel expenses and all tuition and fees while at the University of Oxford. Up to three individuals will be awarded scholarships to begin in September 2001. Application packages must be returned by March 15, 2001. More details on file in Chemistry Headquarters.

THE CORNING INCORPORATED FOUNDATION SCIENCE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM: will offer a grant of up to $27,500 in support of a fellowship for pre-doctoral study and research in specific disciplines. This award is to be used toward tuition and a stipend. The foundation will pay all grants in two installments the first installment payable before August 30, 2002. Deadline April 1, 2002. Please see Liz McGrath in Chemistry Headquarters for application details.

WOODS HOLE OCEANOGRAPHIC INSTITUTION: The Sea Grant Program is now accepting applications for the Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship Program, a one-year program open to any student enrolled in a graduate or professional program in marine-related studies. The deadline for applications is April 9, 2002.

INTERNATIONAL PRECIOUS METALS INSTITUTE: is accepting nominations form faculty members for its 2002 Student award Program. The Awards will be made to students who have started or plan to do research or development projects in the field of precious metals and will not have graduated before June 2003. The IPMI Graduate Student Award, sponsored by Gemini Industries, Inc. is $5,000. There is also be five IPMI Student Awards for 2002 in the amount of $3,000 each for undergraduate or graduate students. Each recipient will be provided complimentary registration to the IPMI 26^th Annual Conference to be held in Miami, Florida, June 15-18, 2002 and up to $1,000 in travel expenses. More information may be obtained from Chemistry Headquarters.

NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES: National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences offers awards for postdoctoral scientists and engineers at participating federal laboratories. These awards provide generous stipends (ranging from $34,000 - $61,000, depending on the laboratory), and the opportunity to conduct independent research in some of the best-equipped and staffed laboratories in the country. For detailed information and application materials, prospective applicants should visit the NRC Research Associateship Programs Web site at: http://www.national-academies.org/rap. Faculty may also be interested in the NRC Senior Associateship Programs, which include both sabbatical and summer faculty opportunities. There are three application review cycles each year, with postmark deadline dates of April 15 and August 15. Applicants should begin a dialog with prospective Advisers at the laboratory as early as possible before the application deadline. More information on file in Chemistry Headquarters.

NATIONAL DEFENSE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING GRADUATE FELLOWSHIPS: As a means of increasing the number of U.S. citizens trained in disciplines of science and engineering of military importance, the Department of Defense plans to award approximately 200 new three-year graduate fellowships in April 2002. National Defense Science and Engineering Application information on file in Chemistry Headquarters.

MORSE TRAVEL GRANTS
for
GRADUATE STUDENTS

The Chemistry Department has recently received a grant from the Morse family to help support the travel of several graduate students to attend and present a paper at a National conference or meeting.

Anyone interested in applying should send a brief letter to Professor Stephen J. Lippard, Head of the Department of Chemistry, indicating which conference or meeting he/she would like to attend and the topic of his/her presentation. An accompanying endorsement letter from the faculty advisor is also required. A budget must be submitted that lists the total costs, assuming that the Morse travel grant contributes $1,000 towards the total. Support from another travel grant source, fellowships, trainee program, the faculty sponsor, and/or personal funds should be identified to indicate how the total amount required to attend the meeting/conference will be met.

Requests for calendar year 2002 are now being considered.

The Committees of the Royal Society of Chemistry Biological
And Medicinal Chemistry Sector and Molecular Modeling Group

will hold a

One Day Meeting

On

CUTTING EDGE APPROACHES TO DRUG DESIGN II

March 13, 2001

Scientific Societies Lecture Theatre
Saville Row, London, UK

Talks will cover vital areas of the modern drug discovery process, including biological target finding, virtual chemistry, lead optimization, Absorption Distribution Metabolism and Excretion, and a number of worked examples. The meeting will be headed by a plenary lecture from Professor Janet Thornton, FRS, the newly appointed head of the European Bioinformatics Institute and founder of Inpharmatica, who will present her vision of the future of bioinformatics and its impact on drug discovery. More information on this one day meeting is available in Chemistry Headquarters and also on http://www.jenner.ac.uk/CEAtoDD/CEAtDD.htm

CHEMISTRY OUTREACH PROGRAM

Consider participating in this year’s MIT Chemistry Outreach Program. It’s great fun, requires very little time, and provides an excellent opportunity to get young people excited about chemistry. The MIT Chemistry Outreach Program was founded by grad students James Nowick and Ron Brisbois in 1987 and has been presented to over 30,000 New England area high school students during the past 13 years. The whole program is organized and run by MIT chemistry grad students. The outreach presentations feature dramatic chemistry demonstrations which we have perfected over the years, and also include lots of discussion of the importance and relevance of chemistry in everyday life. In addition, an important part of our agenda has always been to interest more students to pursue careers in science (and chemistry in particular). The high school students are always surprised to find that chemistry grad students don’t at all resemble stereotypical scientists like "Doc" Brown (Christopher Lloyd) in the Back to the Future movies, and they are fascinated by the personal reminiscences of our grad students as they describe their own background and aspirations. Participants are expected to make a minimum of one, maximum of three outreach presentations, each requiring a commitment of only one-half day. Scheduling of visits to the high schools is quite flexible and many visits take place in late May and June after MIT classes have ended. All expenses are covered by the program, including a rental car if needed. More info on file in Chemistry HQ.

SUMMER RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES

Information on all positions on file in Chemistry Headquarters

The Department of Chemistry at Virginia Commonwealth University is pleased to announce summer research opportunities in chemistry and chemical engineering for undergraduate students. The program will couple research experiences in graduate research laboratories with a program of tutorials and seminars designed to provide perspectives on career issues in the chemical sciences. Participating students will receive a stipend of $3000, and will be provided with dormitory accommodations, a $500 meal plan and health services. Some assistance with travel to Richmond is also available. Further information can be found at http://www.people.vcu.edu/~sruder/reuhome.htm.

Faculty Positions

Information on all positions on file in Chemistry Headquarters

* Skidmore College: invites applications for a one-year sabbatical replacement position in Organic Chemistry commencing September 1, 2002.

Postdoctoral Positions

Information on all positions on file in Chemistry Headquarters

* OakRidge National Laboratory: is seeking qualified persons to apply for a postdoctoral fellowship position at the laboratory in synthetic organic chemistry. The successful candidate will conduct organic synthesis of macrocyclic ionophores in support of molecular recognition research.

* University of Rochester: Postdoctoral research position in synthetic inorganic chemistry. This person will expand upon the bioinorganic modeling studies communicated in J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2001, p. 9222. This is part of a research program in bio-organometallic chemistry and very low-coordinate complexes of the late first-row transition metals. This area is ideal for (a) an organometallic chemist who wants to learn more about biochemistry and spectroscopy or (b) a bioinorganic chemist who wants to work with especially exciting model compounds. The ideal candidate will have experience in synthesis (preferably with air-sensitive compounds), and an interest in understanding the mechanism of enzymes through synthetic work.

* California Institute of Technology : has opportunities at the Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (LMS) at Caltech for the appointment of new postdoctoral scholars. The goal of the LMS is to conduct multidisciplinary research on fundamental processes in complex molecular systems. The areas of interest are diverse:

• Solvation and Weak interactions
• Excited state dynamics
• Electrocatalysts and interfaces
• Time-resolved studies of biological systems
• Neuronal receptor proteins
• Electron and energy transfer in molecular assemblies

Other Job Listings

Information on all positions is on file in Chemistry Headquarters

* IBM Almaden Research Center: Summer Research 2002, San Jose, California. Stipends are available for a ten week summer program of collaborative academic/industrial research in the general fields of chemistry and engineering of information technology related materials, sponsored by the National Science Foundation. Participants meet regularly as a group for a special seminar series on research at industrial and academic frontiers. Deadline for application February 8, 2002

* Pfizer Global Research and Development : seeks BS and MS graduates with strong scientific competency in biology, chemistry, engineering and/or pharmaceutical sciences . Details for several positions held on file in Chemistry Headquarters.

* Merck Research Laboratories (Rahway, NJ) The candidate will complete bioanalytical method development, validation, and quantitative LC/MS/MS analysis of pharmaceutical products in biological matrices (e.g., plasma, serum, urine, whole blood). The LC/MS/MS quantitative assays will be performed in support of preclinical pharmacokinetics, toxicokinetics, and drug metabolism studies. Candidate should have a BS or MS in Chemistry, Biochemistry or a related Pharmaceutical Science. Excellent communication skills and a strong background in sample preparation, HPLC operation, and troubleshooting are required. Experience in automation/robotics, mass spectrometry, and GLP regulation is preferred (but not required). Training opportunities for the operation of ion-trap and triple quadrupole mass spectrometers will be provided.

* The Brentwood Group, Inc., an executive recruiting firm working with a client company in the Northeast (Fortune 300 specialty chemical company) seeks:

Researcher: Ph.D. chemist trained as an organic chemist who understands polymer chemistry --- someone who understands molecular structure, structural property relationships, and attaching polymers to particles. This person could have from 1 to 10 years experience after receiving their Ph.D.. Experience with synthetic organic chemistry and preferably also with chemicals for electronics, polymer chemistry or colloid chemistry. The position involves research on surface modification leading to the development and characterization of new products. This individual would be responsible for developing and understanding surface modification technologies; for technical contributions to new product development and characterization; for supervision of one or more BS level chemist(s).

For the Researcher ----they are seeking a Ph.D. who is an organic chemist but yet understands polymer synthesis, attaching polymers to particles....someone with more material science interest, colloids, etc. The group is a HiTech group and working on product innovation.

R&D Manager - Key strategic manager for a performance products group, a Ph.D. with broad industrial experience (7-10-13 yr). This individual would define the R&D strategy, lead the technology effort, and manage the R&D portion of product and process development activities to assure breakthrough contributions and commercial realization of products. This is a high-level technology project manager who will interact at all levels of management, and manage by influence (no direct reports). Plastics or liquid dispersion, colloid, material science expertise desirable. Ph.D. in chemistry, or chemical engineering, material science, or related discipline.

For the R&D Manager, a chemist or material scientist, or other discipline would be acceptable, with colloid expertise, to basically head up project management in the R&D area.

* Kforce: A local recruiter seeks a "Tissue Spectroscopist" to evaluate Fluorescence and reflectance in clinical data. Ideally someone with MS/Ph.D.; Tissue Knowledge; and Spectroscopy experience. The position is located within 95/128 in the Boston area and requires US permanent residency. (Possibly 3 — 4 positions)
A recent Ph.D. or Master level candidate with min. of 2 years experience.
Qualifications:
* MS/Ph.D. degree in Bioengineering discipline or Physics
* Understanding of interaction of light with tissue
* Minimum of 3 to 5 years experience in research
* Programming ability in Matlab and/or C++

* Prime Organics, Inc. Lowell, MA. (http://primeorg.com) has an opening for B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. level chemists, full time or part time positions. E-mail your resume to info@primeorg.com. Prime Organics provides custom synthesis, contract R&D and manufacturing.

DEPARTMENTAL SERVICES

Glass Blowing Services: 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 4-064 or call Ed Udas at 3-4505. Bob will do the work on a first-come, first-served basis.

Get Organized! Call Ed Udas at 253-4505 or stop by room 4-065 if students, faculty, or staff need help in organizing their MIT space.

CLASSIFIEDS

To place an advertisement: email Liz McGrath, emg@mit.edu

AVAILABLE: 1 bedroom apt. between Comm Ave and Cambridge St. in Brighton overlooking a park. Near Summit Hill. Large bay window in living room, hardwood floors, large bathroom, with tiled shower over tub. Apt. has a total of 6 windows: 2 in the bedroom, 3 in the living room, 1 in kitchen. Walk in closet is good storage space within the apt. Parking on street, overnight permitted. Available April 1st to Sept 1st with the option of continuing. For more info Please CONTACT - Roger or Jenny — email: jero321@aol.com,call 617 787-9671 or cell phone 401 241-6658

AVAILABLE: Furnished or unfurnished available February 1, 2002: 1 bedroom apt. Open floorplan: living room, dining area kitchen fully equipped: fridge, dishwasher, stove. 1 bath, walk-in closet, hardwood floors, washer/dryer access, shared large garden. 1/2 basement, but light, seven windows out onto garden (corner location). Call (617) 497-0340 Monika Totten or Joseph Harris(h). M. Totten (617) 627-2621 (o); (617) 495-9567 (o).

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