From Joe Smith, leader of Chemistry is pHun sub-committee:

The 2024-2025 “Chemistry is pHun” outreach program, sponsored by the St. Louis Section of the American Chemical Society, was wrapped up in March, and I would like to report on this year’s program. Due to a family move, this will be my last year with the program, so I will also offer some comments about my experience with the program over the last four years.

Thanks to Partners in Education in the Rockwood School District, a non-profit that interfaces with schools on schedules and room reservations, I was able to make 21 separate visits to 16 different Rockwood schools. This year, we also made one visit to New City School in St. Louis. In total, we gave 37 presentations to 1628 students.

This year’s program preserved the demonstration activities used in previous years, but made some tweaks in discussing the results. Presentations to both grades began by discussing the diversity of career activities carried out by STEM professionals, including chemists. Safety was emphasized by having all presentation participants wear eye protection and by urging students to get grown-up assistance before experimenting at home.

Second graders attended a presentation entitled “Observing States of Matter” that focused on matter in the states of solids, liquids, gases, and plasmas, and on the role of energy transfer and chemical reaction in causing changes of state. This year’s second grade presentation discussed the importance of reproducing experimental results and how scientists vary experimental conditions to improve understanding.

Fifth graders experienced a “Transforming Matter” presentation that introduced the concept of chemical reactions as transformations of reactants into products. We illustrated combustion and acid-base reactions. A discussion of the pH scale tied in well with math class, where students are learning about exponents. This year, we discussed how an exponential unit scale is helpful for quantities, such as hydrogen ion concentration, that vary by many factors of ten, but not as useful for quantities that do not vary as much, such as the heights of humans.

During the last four years, I have had an opportunity to interact with more than 5000 students. I suspect that many of these students would have had no other chance to engage with a scientist during their elementary school years. Gratifying feedback was received, including from students mentioning the experience long after the event, to students responding fondly to presenters. Giving these presentations is a great opportunity for retired professionals to introduce the idea of a STEM career to students in their formative years. Although this is my last year with the program, I have prepared detailed documentation of the presentations and the demonstrations for future volunteers. If you are interested in participating in future programs, contact Sue Wiedeger at swiedig@siue.edu.

Explaining what is going to happen in the can crush experiment.

The famous crushed can!

FINAL REPORT OF THE COLLEGE AWARDS SUBCOMMITTEE

Michael A. Hauser, Chair

• The Winners

  The College Awards Subcommittee recognizes college students who have shown outstanding achievement in their chemistry curricula. Outstanding Junior Chemistry Awards were presented to students attending institutions in the St. Louis area on April 22, 2025, at Favazzas on the Hill during the Awards Night Banquet. Participating schools include the University of Missouri at St. Louis, Washington University, St. Louis University, Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, Lindenwood University, Maryville University, McKendree University, Principia College, Greenville University, and Webster University. The names of the winners were sent for publication in the Chemical Bond.

  The 2025 recipients of these awards were:

  ACS 2025 WINNERS

  OUTSTANDING JUNIOR CHEMISTRY STUDENT AWARDS

  • Tyler Heldt, Greenville University
  • Ally Sprague, Lindenwood University
  • Birendra Karki, Maryville University
  • MaryAnn Romagna, McKendree University
  • Nina Ola Okike, Principia College
  • Benjamin Wiseman, Saint Louis University*
  • Cassandra Stirling, Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville*
  • Nathaniel Kemp, University of Missouri – St. Louis*
  • Edward Marvin Hao, Washington University*
  • Nya Kearbey, Webster University

  *ACS Approved Programs

  For 2025 the award consisted of a $100 cash award, a framed certificate, and an engraved brass plate, which is mounted on a perpetual plaque at each institution. Dinner was also provided for each student and for one mentor per student.

  

  Michael Hauser (far left) with College Award winners.

• Photo Gallery

  See below for a gallery of images from the event, courtesy of Mikhail Berezin

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  
  

Megumi Yoshioka-Tarver, the 2025 St Louis Chemistry Teacher-of-the-Year

We are pleased to announce that Dr Megumi Yoshioka-Tarver, MICDS Upper School science faculty member, has been awarded the 2025 High School Chemistry Teaching Award. This prestigious recognition honors Dr Yoshioka-Tarver’s outstanding commitment to chemistry education, student engagement, and innovative teaching.

With a PhD in Chemistry and experience in academia, industry, and government, Dr Yoshioka-Tarver brings depth and relevance to the classroom. She teaches a range of courses — including AP Chemistry, environmental science, and food science — with an emphasis on inquiry, hands-on learning, and real-world applications. Her standout “Chemistry of Cooking” interim course combines culinary exploration with chemical principles, turning everyday experiences into powerful science lessons.

Dr Yoshioka-Tarver’s students are encouraged to take intellectual risks, ask questions, and connect science to their lives. She mentors independent research, supports participation in events like Battle of the Burets, and curates weekly “Molecule of Interest” flyers to spark curiosity in unexpected places. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes active learning and collaboration, fostering a space where students feel safe to explore, experiment, and grow.

Beyond the classroom, she is a life-long learner herself, and a leader in the chemistry education community. She regularly attends professional workshops and conferences, contributes to local teacher networks, and shares best practices with fellow educators.

“Dr. Megumi Yoshioka-Tarver inspires her students not only to understand chemistry, but to love it,” said her nominator. “She exemplifies the excellence ACS aims to celebrate.”

From Elizabeth Bergman, Saint Louis Section ACS Chair:

Hello Students, Families, and Faculty!
First, let me offer a hearty congratulations to high school participants and winners of the Chemistry Olympiad at UMSL, as well as those college students nominated by their professors as exemplary. The local St. Louis branch of the American Chemical Society would like to recognize your work and will host an awards banquet to celebrate, Tuesday, April 22nd, at 6:30 PM at Favazza’s on the Hill (5201 Southwest Avenue, St. Louis MO 63139). Students and mentoring faculty will be hosted to a complimentary dinner at which the awards will be presented. Additional dinners are available for $35 to allow family and friends to share in the event. This can be paid via Check or PayPal the evening of the event. Please confirm any necessary special diet options with Favazza’s in advance. An option to attend the award ceremony only, also exists. We anticipate this will begin at approximately 7:15 PM.

For those attending the event, please RSVP to myself, the banquet coordinator and volunteer, Elizabeth Bergman at etsbergman@gmail.com with the subject title: St. Louis ACS Awards Night. In the email please state the student name, school, and attendees in addition to the student. If you have folks in your party unable to attend the dinner, but can attend the award ceremony, please make a note and we will ensure there are chairs prepared for them.

Example: Charlise Norman, Gateway Stem Academy, student + 4 attendees for dinner;
This counts 5 attendees, student (no charge), 4 x $35 = $140 due at dinner
Example: Evelyn Patel, Parkway North High School, Julia Roberts (faculty);
This counts one faculty (no charge)
Example: Maria Morris, Fox High School, student + 2 awards only;
This counts one student for dinner (no charge), and two for the awards only (no charge)

Students, please share this message with your family and faculty to ensure they know that they are invited to celebrate with us!

Please feel free to share my personal (314 – 761 – 3821) or work (Waters Corporation, 314 – 285 – 9860) phone numbers with parents and or faculty for additional questions not covered. I also welcome you to visit our website to explore ACS involvement in the Greater St. Louis community: https://www.stlacs.org/ . Information about this event will be posted soon!

Best Regards,
Elizabeth Bergman M.S. (Research)
Local ACS Chair, St. Louis Section

Jacquelynn Smith, winner of the 2025 Chemical Science and Technology Award

Envelope, please. [pause for effect]

Aaaaaand the winner is … Jacquelynn Smith!

It is our distinct pleasure to announce the winner of the 2025 Chemical Science and Technology Award. Jacquelynn is a Senior Scientist at Pfizer, Inc., where she specializes in protein characterization using mass spectrometry and contributes to groundbreaking advancements in drug development.

Since joining Pfizer in 2012, Jacquelynn has advanced from Senior Associate Scientist to Senior Scientist, demonstrating exceptional expertise in mass spectrometry (MS), chromatography, and electrophoresis. Her work focuses on elucidating complex protein structures, developing novel analytical methods, and ensuring regulatory compliance for biotherapeutics. She is a key resource for project teams bridging gaps between scientific innovation and practical applications in the pharmaceutical industry.

Jacquelynn’s technical prowess is matched by her leadership and mentorship. She has co-led Pfizer’s Veterans Group and the Global Asian Alliance Asian Leadership Forum, fostering inclusivity and promoting professional growth. Her dedication to mentoring junior scientists is evident in her development of training programs and her hands-on guidance in the lab.

A dynamic communicator, Jacquelynn has delivered numerous presentations at national and local conferences, distilling complex scientific concepts into accessible insights. Her ability to collaborate across disciplines—from biochemistry to software development—has made her an invaluable asset to the scientific community.

Beyond her professional achievements, Jacquelynn is deeply committed to community service. She volunteers with Pedal the Cause, leading Pfizer’s refueling station to raise funds for cancer research and has taught work ethics through Mercy Hospital’s disability and inclusion programs. Her earlier volunteer work at the Gardens at SIUE reflects her enduring passion for giving back.

Jacquelynn holds a MA in Biology (Biotechnology) from Washington University in St. Louis and a BS in Integrative Biology from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, where she was a member of the Undergraduate Research Academy.

Congratulations to Jacquelynn on this well-deserved honor!

Jayaraman Sivaguru

SIUE’s 48th Annual William J Probst Memorial Lecturer will be Professor Jayaraman Sivaguru of Bowling Green State University Department of Chemistry, where he is the Antonia and Marshall Wilson Professor of Chemistry and the Associate Director of the Center for Photochemical Sciences.

His group’s research focuses on light-induced processes in asymmetric photochemistry, organo-photocatalysis, supramolecular photocatalysis, supramolecular photochemistry, and molecular recognition in chemical and biological systems.

Events surrounding the Probst Lecture will occur on Wednesday and Thursday, April 16 and 17, 2025.

On Wednesday, the Thomas D Bouman Student Research Symposium, 2:30 – 4:30 pm and Dr Sivaguru’s research/public seminar, “Lessons from Light for Life and Leisure”, 7:00 – 8:00 pm in the Meridian Ballroom, Morris University Center.

On Thursday, Dr Sivaguru’s technical seminar, “Harnessing the Power of Light to Drive Chemical Changes”, 11:00 am – 12:00 noon in Science East Auditorium (SE 1136).

For directions to the campus please visit the SIUE maps or SIUE parking map. For more information on the lecture, please contact Dr Debanjana Ghosh.

On November 1, 2024, Dr. Timothy Wencewicz, Professor of Chemistry at Washington University, was selected as the 54th annual St. Louis Section ACS Awardee. The award was given to Wencewicz for his outstanding contributions to the chemistry profession and potential to advance the chemical profession. The symposium, organized by Wencewicz and Dr. Jen Heemstra, focused on “Making and Breaking Antibiotics: Nature’s Way.” Dr. James Bashkin, Chair Elect of the St. Louis Section of the ACS, introduced Wencewicz’s scientific, teaching, departmental, university, and outreach activities. He gave a talk on “Antibiotics and Enchanted Rings,” discussing the role of unique types of rings in antibiotic action. Dr. Gautam Dantas, Conan Professor of Laboratory and Genomic Medicine, and Dr. Andrew Gulick discussed “Understanding, Predicting, and Combating Antibiotic Resistance Evolution Across Diverse Habitats.” The symposium concluded with a talk by Dr. Paul Hergenrother on “How to develop new antibiotics for drug-resistant infections.”

Photos from the symposium. Left: Symposium Participants: Andrew Gulick, James Bashkin, Tim Wencewicz, Jen Heemstra, Paul Hergenrother and Gautam Dantas Right: audience members at coffee break. (Photos courtesy of James O’Brien).

A symposium was held at the Glen Echo Country Club, attended by over fifty guests. The banquet began with an open wine and beer bar hour, featuring appetizers like candied bacon. Dr. James Bashkin, chair of the St. Louis ACS Section, introduced Dr. Wencewicz and his wife Rachel, and their children, Grace and Lucy. Dr. Bashkin thanked the speakers and introduced elected members of the local section and former St. Louis Section ACS award winners.

Dr. Wencewicz presented his award talk, “Whither Antibiotics,” detailing the battle between antibiotics and antibiotic resistance organisms. He shared the story of how beer may have saved early civilization due to the presence of the powerful antibiotic tetracycline, which must have come from a contaminating organism. Dr. Wencewicz’s career began at Southeast Missouri State University, where he obtained a BS degree in Chemistry and Applied Mathematics. He then obtained a PhD from the University of Notre Dame, inspired by Professor Marvin J. Miller. He was able to convince Professor Chris Walsh at Harvard Medical School to take him on as his last postdoc to study natural product biosynthesis and antibiotic resistance before starting his career at Washington University.

Dr. Bashkin thanked everyone for attending and the staff and chef of the Glen Echo Country Club for the fine service and dinner. Many stayed on to reminisce long after the event.

Photos from the Banquet. Top. Left. Tim Wencewicz accepting award from St. Louis Section Chair James Bashkin. Right. Former students Dr. Erin Gemmell and Dr. Luting Fang. Middle. Left. Dr. Wencewicz presenting his talk on “Whither Antibiotics?” Right. Attendees attentively listening to Dr. Wencewicz’s presentation, including family members, friends, speakers, students and local section members. Bottom. Left: Dr. Wencewicz with group members and other students from the Washington University Department of Chemistry. From left to right: Steven Le, Prasanth Thota, Weina Cheng, Carlos Bean Chavez, Kavya Rokkam, Eyob Tewelde, Tim Wencewicz, Adam Balutowski, Anika Chand, Ruihao Li, Savannah Scruggs, Evan Schultheis. Photos courtesy of James O’Brien.

The Saint Louis ACS section is seeking nominations for the 2025 Saint Louis Section ACS Award, originally sponsored by the Monsanto Company and administered by the Saint Louis Section. The award is presented to an individual who has made outstanding contributions to the profession of chemistry and demonstrated potential to further the advancement of the chemical profession, especially early in their career. The awardee is selected by a review committee constituted by the Section. The award consists of a $1,500 honorarium and a plaque.

Nominations are accepted at any time, however, those received by April 30 are considered for the award presented in the fall of that year. Non-winning nominees are automatically considered candidates for two additional award cycles unless withdrawn by the nominator or the candidate. The nominator may update the carried-forward nomination with new information before April 30.

At the time of the nomination, the nominee must not have previously received the Midwest Award or any national ACS-sponsored award and must be a member or affiliate of the Saint Louis Section–ACS.

The nomination process, as well as a blog thread of past awards and a list of past awardees, can be found here. We urge anyone familiar with an outstanding Saint Louis-area chemist to help us recognize them with this prestigious award. Please send nominations and inquiries to the Saint Louis Award coordinator.

Jamie Vernon

David L. Garin Science Policy Lecture

Wednesday, April 2nd, 2025
Missouri History Museum, Forest Park
5:15 PM
Pre-registration is required;
Sign-in between 5:00 and 5:15 PM

Dr. Jamie Vernon, Executive Director and CEO, Sigma Xi

“Cultivating a Generation of Civic Scientists Through Science Policy”

The role of scientists is expanding beyond the bench. Many within the scientific community and beyond are calling for scientists to use their research knowledge and skills to benefit society in a multitude of ways, including through science policy. Opportunities to participate in science policy-related activities include providing science and policy education and training in and outside the classroom; writing science policy articles, books, and reports to guide knowledge in the field; engaging the public through science and civic actions; and contributing to legislative, executive, and judicial processes through advocacy, advice, and analysis. During this interactive presentation, various ways of repurposing scientific expertise towards translational skills that serve the public good will be discussed. In addition, best practices for scientists to engage in policy-making will be shared. This information is designed to enable the next generation of researchers to broaden their impact outside the laboratory. In doing so, research culture and society will be positively transformed through the two-way process of civic science.

For pre-registration, please contact: Joy Manore, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Missouri – Saint Louis, e-mail: jdmg5p@umsl.edu

Jamie Vernon is executive director and CEO at Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society and publisher of American Scientist. From 2014 to 2017, he served as Sigma Xi’s director of science communications and publications and editor-in-chief of American Scientist. A molecular biologist by training, he spent more than a decade developing genetic engineering tools, analyzing HIV-neutralizing antibodies for vaccine production, and studying the effects of gene duplication on evolution and development. He pivoted toward science policy and communication after serving as an American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Science & Technology Policy Fellow and subsequently as an Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) Fellow at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Currently, he is dedicated to promoting excellence in science and engineering and building public trust in the research enterprise.

Professor Daniel G Nocera, 22nd SLU-MilliporeSigma speaker

Professor Daniel G Nocera, of the Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology at Harvard University, is the 22nd SLU-MilliporeSigma Lecturer. He will deliver two lectures on February 24th and 25th. Both are open to the public.

• Monday, February 24th, at 4:00 pm
  The Bionic Leaf: Surpassing the C- and N-Fixation Processes of Nature
  Attend in person at Lee Lecture Hall (LH1), 3501 Laclede Avenue
  or via Zoom with passcode 149311
• Tuesday, February 25th, at 10:00 am
  Super-Reducing and Super-Oxidizing Reagents for Photoredox Methods
  Attend in person at Laclede Auditorium, 2909 Laclede Ave or remotely. Either way requires pre-registration by February 19th.

Daniel G Nocera is recognized for his discoveries in renewable energy, photo- and electro-redox catalysis, radical enzymology, cancer diagnostics, cyborg cells, quantum-spin liquids, and molecular tagging velocimetry. He pioneered the field of proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) and used it to develop the “artificial leaf” and the “bionic leaf”, leading to efficient artificial photosynthesis and renewable ammonia production. He has won numerous awards, including the United Nations Science and Technology Award, and he was named one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World by Time in 2009. For further details, please visit: Daniel G. Nocera | Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology.

The lecture series is co-sponsored by SLU Chemistry and MilliporeSigma Life Sciences.