Chemical society convenes regional meeting in Albuquerque, October 12-15

Over 200 research findings are scheduled for presentation at the 17th biennial Rocky Mountain regional meeting of the American Chemical Society, the world's largest scientific society, in Albuquerque, N. M., Oct. 12-15. Noted scientists as well as undergraduate and graduate students are expected to attend the meeting at the Hyatt Regency Albuquerque (505-842-1234).

On Sunday, Oct. 13, attendees have the opportunity to view the Mass Ascension of the annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta from the meeting's hospitality tent. The Balloon Fiesta is a colorful hot air and gas balloon event.

The regional meeting symposia include topics on bioinformatics, drug discovery, education, southwestern United States environmental issues, materials, nuclear chemistry and technology, and mass spectrometry. There also will be general sessions on analytical, biochemistry, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry.

Meeting highlights include:
SUNDAY, October 13
8:30 a.m. -- 4:30 p.m.

The 2000 Cerro Grande Fire -- Data from atmospheric studies will be presented and compared for a fire that began as a 900-acre controlled burn in New Mexico's Bandelier National Monument. The resulting wild fire consumed 48,000 acres, including the loss of over 280 homes in the Los Alamos area and 40 structures within the boundaries of Los Alamos National Laboratory. (Randy Martin, Utah Water Research Laboratory, Utah State University, Logan, 435-797-1585, rmartin@cc.usu.edu)

Haze formation in the southwestern U.S. -- Regional haze formation in the southwestern United States has become a serious issue. This presentation will summarize the Grand Canyon National Park and Canyonlands National Park data from the Western States Visibility Assessment Program. (Carl Popp, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Socorro, 505-835-5227, flyfish@nmt.edu)

Comparative study of spring discharges in the Grand Canyon National Park -- A report on the geochemical studies of Pipe Spring and Garden Creek will be provided. (Dirk Liebe, Department of Chemistry, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, 928-523-3008 or 928-523-9011, dirkliebe@web.de)

A fact-based 21st century energy scenario -- The use of clean coal technology as the nation's prime energy source will be discussed. E. Gerald Meyer, Chemistry Department, University of Wyoming, Laramie, 307-766-5445, egmeyer@uwyo.edu)

Proteomics: new methods and applications -- The increased efficacy of anti-cancer drugs will be highlighted in this presentation. (Catherine Fenselau, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, 301-405-8614, fenselau@umail.umd.edu)

How Festo has changed the rights of patent holders -- The presenter will discuss how patent holders' rights have changed in light of the United States Supreme Court's decision in Festo Corporation v. Shoketsu Kinzoku Kogyo Kabushiki Co. (Peter Munson, The Brobeck Law Firm, San Diego, Calif., 858-720-2644, pmunson@brobeck.com)

Monday, October 14
8:30 a.m. -- 4:30 p.m.

Is there a "lead-like space" in drug discovery? -- An efficient and economic alternative for the initial testing of new drugs will be discussed. (Tudor I. Oprea, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, 505-272-3333, toprea@salud.unm.edu)

Chemistry of the transactinide elements -- The researcher has participated in the discovery of new elements and will discuss the chemical properties of these new elements. (Darleane Hoffman, Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 510-486-4474, dchoffman@lbl.gov)

Tuesday, October 15
8:30 a.m. -- 12 Noon

Human epidermal growth factor for breast cancer detection -- This talk will focus on the technology used to analyze a protein marker for breast cancer. (Vince Martin, Department of Chemistry, University of Wyoming, Laramie, 307-766-2680, vince@uwyo.edu)

Two chemists from New Mexico will receive special recognition during the meeting for their professional achievements in diversity and teaching.

Liz Foltyn of Los Alamos National Laboratory will be presented the ACS Women Chemists Committee Regional Award on Oct. 13 for promoting diversity in the Los Alamos National Laboratory 238Pu Science and Engineering Group.

Ruth Rand of Albuquerque Academy will be honored on Oct. 13 with the ACS Regional Award in High School Chemistry Teaching for promoting student involvement in chemistry activities, including the Chemistry Olympiad, and for her community outreach activities.

The program chair for the meeting is Merritt Helvenston, Department of Chemistry, New Mexico Highlands University, Las Vegas (N.M.), 505-454-3167, merritt@nmhu.edu.