On April 6th, the American Chemical Society (ACS) marked its 150th anniversary, and the St. Louis Section launched its local festivities at the University of Missouri–St. Louis (UMSL). The celebration continued with the successful Sci-Mix event at UMSL on April 28. Here, we share the key outcomes and memorable moments.
Highlights from Sci-Mix at UMSL – April 28
The St. Louis Section of ACS, in partnership with the API Innovation Center (APIIC) and UMSL’s Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, invited participants to an evening focused on scientific dialogue, networking, and community engagement in the Science Learning Building at UMSL.
Event program and participation: The program featured opening remarks from Dr. Eden Tesfu (ACS St. Louis Chair) and UMSL/APIIC hosts, setting the stage for an engaging poster session and networking activities.
Poster session: Students and researchers showcased their projects, encouraging technical conversations and fostering collaborations between academic and industry participants.
Facility tours: Attendees explored Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Innovation Center (APIIC) laboratories and UMSL spaces within the Science Learning Building, including instructional labs and the NMR facility.
Career conversations: Graduate students participated in a roundtable featuring experts from academia, government, and industry, discussing various career opportunities and pathways.
The event was made possible by the support of Dr. Christopher Spilling, Dr. Keith J. Stine, and Dr. Brian Doty, APIIC. Special thanks to Dr. Bich Vu, APIIC and the UMSL Graduate Chemist Club leadership team—Taiwo Adeniji, Naila Haroon, Sri Harsha Mamillapalli—for coordinating logistics and activities. We also appreciate Elizabeth Bergman’s leadership and contributions to the event’s success.
The spirit of collaboration and enthusiasm throughout the evening underscored the vibrancy of St. Louis’s chemistry community, providing a strong foundation for the ACS 150th anniversary celebrations. We look forward to carrying this energy forward through upcoming events and ongoing partnerships with academic and industry colleagues.
The ACS milestone celebration will continue with Recognition Night (May 20 at Glen Echo), the ACS Analytical Summit (June 26th at Bayer Crop Sciences Chesterfield Site), and the Fall Sci-Mix event (October 21st, location to be determined).