Chemical Bond, March 2026

Vol. 77, No. 2, March, 2026

• This just in: seeking nominations for the Midwest Award 8 February 2026

  Your assistance in identifying candidates for the 2026 American Chemical Society (ACS) Midwest Award is solicited. In 1944, the St Louis Section of the ACS established, and since then has sponsored and funded the ACS Midwest Award to recognize “those who have made meritorious contributions to the advancement of pure or applied chemistry or chemical education” in the Midwest Region. The award is conferred annually on a scientist who has made such meritorious contributions in the profession of chemistry during a period of residence in the geographic area of the ACS Midwest Region.¹

  Nominees need not be members of the ACS and can work in industry, academia, government, or private practice. Anyone who has previously won the Midwest Award or any other national award administered by the ACS are ineligible, as are members of the Midwest Award Jury and, for the St Louis Section of the ACS, the Immediate Past Chair, Chair, Chair-Elect, Secretary and members of the Awards Committee.

  The 2026 ACS Midwest Award will be presented at the 2026 Midwest Regional Meeting of the ACS to be held in Manhattan, Kansas, from October 25-27, 2026, hosted by Kansas State University. Ceremonies associated with the award feature a Midwest Award Symposium, a Midwest Award Lecture and the Awards Banquet scheduled on October 26. The Award consists of a medallion and a cash honorarium. A condition of acceptance of this award is that the recipient gives the Midwest Award Lecture at the time of presentation of the award.

  Nominations should consist of a nominating letter and two or more seconding letters; a CV for the nominee; a brief biography of the nominee; and documented and objective information regarding the outstanding achievements of the nominee. If the nominee is an academic, a list of people who received advanced degrees under her or his direction should be provided. Activities by the nominee that support the ACS in the Midwest Region constitute additional criteria of merit. Please submit nominations electronically via a single pdf file to the e-mail address given below, on or before Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Nominations are retained and reconsidered (if unsuccessful) over a period of 3 consecutive years.

  Thank you for your assistance. Questions and nominating materials should be directed to: Dr Leah O’Brien, Midwest Award Coordinator, at lobrien@siue.edu or by phone at (314) 757-3179 (cell).

  ¹The ACS local sections within the Midwest Region are: Ames, Iowa, Kansas City, Kansas State
  University, Mark Twain, Mo-Kan-Ok (The Tri-State), Nebraska, Omaha, Ozark, St Louis, Sioux Valley,
  South Central Missouri, Southern Illinois, University of Arkansas, University of Missouri, Wakarusa
  Valley, and Wichita.

• Outgoing Chair Message 2025 – Elizabeth Bergman 16 February 2026

  

  Last year was an exceptional one for chemistry and an exciting time to be part of the ACS St. Louis Section. Our board of directors worked hard to revitalize the section post-Covid and to bring back the activities our members value and enjoy.

  Several key annual events that returned to our calendar in 2023 and 2024 continued, including multiple awards ceremonies, section wide gatherings, public outreach efforts, and support for scouting. This year, we focused on engaging new members, strengthening networking opportunities, reigniting discussion groups, and partnering with the Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri to complement our long-standing relationship with Scouts of America. We also celebrated National Chemistry Week for the first time since Covid and resumed in person meetings.

  Below is a list of the events our section hosted and supported—accomplishments of which we are truly proud.

  • High School Chemistry Olympiad (sponsored by STLACS and University of Missouri St. Louis)
  • Brownie Home Scientist Event with Badge (sponsored by STLACS, Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri, and University ofMissouri St. Louis)
  • Awards Night – Celebrating winners of our Chemical Technology Award, High School Teacher of the Year Award, High School Chemistry Olympiad, and the Outstanding College Junior Award (one from each area college).
  • Recognition Night – Celebrating local 50, 60, and 70 year ACS members
  • Summer Picnic (all member STL ACS event)
  • The Mid-West Award (presented at the Mid-West Regional Meeting at University of Missouri Columbia, symposium and dinner)
  • Sci – Mix (all member event, sponsored by Bayer and STLACS)
  • National Chemistry Week Poetry Contest
  • Scouting Merit Badge (sponsored by Jost Chemical, STLACS, and Scouting America)
  • Mid-West Mass Spec Discussion Group Reinitiated, Michael Gross honored
  • The St. Louis Award (all member event, symposium and dinner)
  • The Continuity Dinner (all member event and STLACS board meeting)
  • In person STL ACS Board Meetings hosted at Washington University in St. Louis

  Events were well organized, well attended, and manageable.

  Ongoing challenges for the section include diversifying participation and increasing the value we provide to members. Although the percentage of active members remains in the teens, this represents an improvement over years past.

  Our Sci Mix event, introduced in 2025, directly addressed this challenge. It was cost effective and attracted a number of members not actively engaged in prior years. This multi-generational gathering successfully brought together students, academics, industry professionals, and retirees.

  We also saw new faces at the annual picnic. One recently registered member attended specifically to network after relocating to the area. He connected with several members and learned about another local event where he ultimately secured employment—an exciting win for him and his family.

  A remaining challenge that we have not yet solved exists for those carrying board positions. Many have more than one role and in addition take on the planning of events. Strategically broadening the pool of volunteers and eventually leadership roles is critical for ongoing success of the section. I have incredible faith in the incoming leadership team that they will be able to address this need and successfully grow the section.

  As we look ahead to 2026, I am filled with optimism for our ACS section. Dr. Eden Tesfu is an exceptional leader whose vision and dedication will help fill key open roles and ensure long‑term sustainability. Dr. Jeremia Ory, who will follow her in the chair succession, brings remarkable strengths in organization and time management. With both of them serving on our steering committee and in leadership, our section is well positioned for continued momentum. The future is bright, and the St. Louis Section will only continue to strengthen and grow.

  Kindest regards,

  Elizabeth Bergman

  Former ACS Chair, 2025

• Iranian alumnae return for Women Chemists event 19 February 2026

  

  Three Iranian alumnae of SIU–Edwardsville will return on March 3rd, 11 am to 12:15 pm, as a panel relating Iran’s history and the experiences of Iranian students in the USA. The panelists are Forough Doustkhahvajari, Hadis Ghasemi, and Sanaz Salarvand.

  The event is sponsored by the Women Chemists Committee of the St Louis Section–ACS in collaboration with the SIUE Chemistry Department and Chemistry Club. You can attend in person on campus at Science East 1136 or join the webinar on line. RSVP is required either way; please use the QR code.

  

• Call for Nominations for the 2026 Saint Louis Section ACS Award 28 February 2026

  The Saint Louis ACS section is seeking nominations for the 2026 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 $2000 honorarium and a plaque.

  Nominations are accepted at any time, however, those received by April 30, 2026, are considered for the award presented the following fall. Non-winning nominees are automatically considered candidates for three years 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.