The Augusta Convention and Visitors Bureau is proud to welcome the 70th Southeastern Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society (SERMACS 2018) being held at the Augusta Marriott at the Convention Center in downtown Augusta October 31st-November 3rd. This is an International Conference with speakers from 14 countries around the world.
 
SERMACS 2018 will bring together chemical professionals from academe, National Laboratories, and the private sector along with postdoctoral, graduate, undergraduate, and pre-college students and high school teachers for a four-day program comprised of plenary lectures, technical sessions (both invited and contributed), workshops, career development training, and a vendor exposition.  In addition to the professional program there are social and networking events throughout the meeting.
 
Invited plenary speakers include:
 
Prof. Alan Marshall, Founding Director and Chief Scientist, National High Magnetic Field Laboratory Ion Cyclotron Resonance Program, and Robert O. Lawton Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry at Florida State University. His talk is entitled: An Olio of Omics: Nature’s Chemical Compositional Complexity Resolved and Identified by Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry
 
Dr. Cato Laurencin, designated University Professor at the University of Connecticut. He is the Albert and Wilda Van Dusen Distinguished Endowed Chair Professor of Orthopedic Surgery in the School of Medicine. In addition, Dr. Laurencin is Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Professor of Materials Engineering and Professor of Biomedical Engineering at UConn. Dr. Laurencin serves as Chief Executive Officer of the Connecticut Institute for Clinical and Translational Science. He is the Founding Director of the Institute for Regenerative Engineering and the Founding Director of the Raymond and Beverly Sackler Center for Biomedical, Biological, Physical and Engineering Sciences at UConn Health. He was awarded the 2016 National Medal of Technology and Innovation by President Obama. His talk is entitled: Regenerative Engineering: Convergence of Material Importance
 
Prof. Jillian Buriak, Professor of Chemistry, University of Alberta; Canada Research Chair of Nanomaterials for Energy; AITF Industry Chair of Sun-Powered Generation of Fuels and Power; Editor-in-Chief, Chemistry of Materials. Her talk is entitled: Patterning with Polymers and Plasmons
 
Prof. Dale Ensor, Dr. Dale D. Ensor is an Emeritus Professor of Chemistry at Tennessee Technological University. He has been a visiting scientist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Argonne National Laboratory, and Los Alamos National Laboratory. Dr. Ensor has over 40 years of research experience in nuclear and radiochemistry and has a passion for the history of radiochemistry. His talks are both technical and incorporate stories that illustrate the personal sides of the scientists. His talk is entitled: The Road to Trinity Site: Project Y and the Manhattan Project
 
Invited papers will be presented in 35 technical sessions spanning from one-half day to two full days. An additional 23 technical sessions will feature contributed papers in analytical, inorganic, organic, biological, environmental, physical, and materials chemistry as well as chemical education.
 
An undergraduate program will provide training in the major chemistry career sectors, alternative science careers, publishing, job searching, resume preparation, and interviewing with mock interviews offered onsite. The program will also include a Chemistry Quiz Bowl and an Ethics Bowl for undergraduate teams. There will be dedicated undergraduate oral presentations and a green chemistry program. Nearly 250 technical posters will compete in an Undergraduate Poster Contest on Friday afternoon and continuing Saturday during the Graduate School Fair, which includes over 30 institutions.
 
Two half-day American Chemical Society (ACS) Leadership Development courses will be offered for professionals and students.  The first is entitled, Leading Change and the second is entitled, Coaching and Feedback.  Full descriptions of these classes are available on the meeting website:  www.sermacs2018.org/ed_program/
 
An opening Trick or Treat Networking Reception sponsored by the ACS Division of Professional Relations in the Exposition will occur on Wednesday evening – costumes welcome!  To be followed by a Halloween showing of the Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Imperial Theatre.  Approximately 40 vendors will participate in the Exposition Wednesday evening and all-day Thursday and Friday. Workshops will be provided on Software Development Best Practices, Cloud-based Electronic Laboratory Notebooks, and Science Advocacy with Elected Representatives.
 
Tours of the Department of Energy’s Savannah River Site are being offered to U. S. citizens on Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning.  A National Historic Chemical Landmark recognizing the Department of Energy’s Savannah River Site for ‘Pu-238 Production for Space Exploration’ will be dedicated by the American Chemical Society at the SRS Heritage Museum in Aiken on Thursday evening. A fermentation chemistry social will take place on Friday night at the Savannah Brewing Company. The Younger Chemists Committee is sponsoring Yoga, Tai Chi, and Fun Run mornings during the meeting.
 
A high school teacher program will provide workshops in Hands-On Classroom Demonstrations; Nanomaterials; Nuclear Science; and Chemistry, and Coding & Combat by the Sumo Robot League of Augusta.
 
An ACS Insurance Programs breakfast is scheduled for Thursday morning. Regional Awards for Advancing Diversity in the Chemical Sciences, Volunteer Service, and High School Teaching will be presented at a luncheon on Thursday with a keynote address by Mr. Frank Walworth on ACS History.
 
A two-day Diversity in the Chemical Sciences program is being presented Friday and Saturday involving African American, LGBTQ+, Hispanic, visually impaired, and women chemical professionals.  A Diversity in Science luncheon will be held on Friday and includes a keynote address by the Executive Director of the Society for Advancing Chicanos/Hispanics & Native Americans in Science (SACNAS), Mr. John Winnett.