Northeastern Section NSYCC Annual Report 2002

Submitted by Amy Tapper, Chair NESACS-YCC 1999-2003

I. Overall Evaluation

It has been another successful year for the Northeastern Section YCC. Our amazing website, http://people.bu.edu/nsycc has highlights of all our YCC activities, NESACS events, YCC awards (Leadership Development Awards), travel programs, (YCC/NESACS-JCF/GDCh Initiative to Gerrmany) and includes photos of our annual conference NSCRC (Northeast Student Chemistry Research Conference). From our website, younger chemists may also sign-up on our mailing list (nsycc-list@bu.edu), which notifies YCC members of upcoming events. This year we further increased attendance of younger chemists at the NESACS monthly meetings and won our third ChemLuminary award!

II. Officers and Members

Career Planning subcommittee:
Amy Tapper – Geltex Pharmaceuticals, Inc., atapper[at]geltex.com - chair
Outreach and Publicity subcommittee:
Vio Buchete - Boston University, buchete[at]chem.bu.edu
Lintao Bu - Boston University, bult[at]chem.bu.edu - webmaster
Social Action subcommittee:
Amy Tapper – Geltex Pharmaceuticals, Inc., atapper[at]geltex.com - chair
Treasurer:
Amy Tapper – Geltex Pharmaceuticals, Inc., atapper[at]geltex.com - chair
Affiliations:
Professor Morton Hoffman (Boston University) – 2002 Chair of NESACS hoffman[at]chem.bu.edu
Professor Ruth Tanner (Univeristy of Massachusetts at Lowell) - Chair of the Education Committee of NESACS
Ruth_Tanner[at]uml.edu

Northeast Student Chemistry Research Conference (NSCRC) Subcommittee:

III. Activities

YCC Holiday Networking Social and Toy Drive

On Dec. 4th, 2002 a YCC social networking event was held at Charley’s Saloon on Newbury Street in Boston. This event was publicized in The Nucleus, on the YCC website, and multiple messages were sent to the YCC mailing list. Even with the extremely cold weather we had a turn-out of about 20 younger chemists. Most importantly, the students who attended were eager to join the NSCRC 2003 organizing committee. Ideas for NSCRC 2003 and 2004 were discussed during the evening. Attendees were asked to bring an unwrapped toy for donation to a children’s charity. People were very generous and I was able to donate over 25 new toys to Toy for Tots.

4th Annual Northeast Student Chemistry Research Conference NSCRC

Was held on Saturday, April 27th at the Boston University Chemistry Dept. This important conference gives students the opportunity to share their research in a relaxed atmosphere. The were three graduate student speakers and three undergraduate speakers.

In March 2002, the NESACS-YCC sent 12 students to Germany for a week of science, education, and friendship. Both undergraduate and graduate students were eligible to apply. This event is organized by the NESACS education committee and the NESACS-YCC. The committee members are Dr. Michael Strem, Dr. Morton Hoffman, Dr. Ruth Tanner, Dr. Patrick Gordon, and Amy Tapper.

NESACS-YCC TRIP TO GERMAN

NESACS Summertime Event

The annual NESACS Summertime Event, a Boston Red Sox game was co-sponsored by the NESACS-YCC. Refreshments were served before the game at the Boston University Chemistry department (which is just a ball’s throw from Fenway Park).

Younger Chemists Career Workshop

The 2nd annual Younger Chemists Career Workshop was held on Feb. 14, 2002 from 3:30 – 5:30 at the Holuday Inn in Brookline, MA. This free event was held before the monthly meeting of the NESACS. Students were encouraged to stay for the NESACS dinner and evening lecture. The speakers were, Dr. Mukund Chorghade, Geltex Pharmaceutical who spoke about resume writing, Mark Behnke, M.A., Genetics Institute/Wyeth-Ayerst Research, Dr. Jesse Fecker, Hamilton, Brook, Smith, and Reynolds (patent law), Dr. Angles Dios, Geltex Pharmaceuticals, and Prof. Cheryl Schnitzer, Stonehill College.

IV. Budget

1. YCC event at the February monthly meeting- $200.00
2. The 4th annual NSCRC to be held in April at Boston University- $4000.00
3. Reception at Boston University before the Summerthing Red Sox game- $200.00
4. Recruiting events, winter and spring 2001- $400.00
5. YCC/JCF conference in Germany- $5000.00

Total Budget: $9, 800.00

V. Future Plans

The general future plans for the NESACS-YCC consist of increasing membership, filling of the leadership roles of the committee with younger members, continuation of the Northeast Student Chemistry Research Conference (NSCRC), and increasing frequency of YCC social and career oriented events. We also hope to increase participation of YCC members in NESACS and National ACS activities.
The 3rd annual Career Symposium will be held on Feb. 13, 2003. This year the theme is “Alternative Careers for Chemists.” The speakers include a patent attorney from Geltex Pharmaceuticals, a project manager from Biogen, a CEO from a chemical company, a technical representative from Thermo Finnigan, and a business development manager from Rhodia Chirex. The 5th annual Northeast Student Chemistry Research Conference will be held on April 29, 2003 at Boston University.