Thursday, January 31, 2008

Environmental Intern Needed

Environmental Intern needed to assist with watershed assessment and protection work. Background in biology, chemistry, environmental science or related disciplines required, along with strong computer, communication and organizational skills. Field work and overnight travel will be required. Experience with GIS/digital-mapping technology a plus. Paid six month temporary position. Send cover letter and resume by February 22 to Andrew Gavin , Susquehanna River Basin Commission, 1721 North Front Street, Harrisburg, PA 17102. SRBC is an Equal Opportunity Employer (www.srbc.net).

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

ACS Scholars Program Now Receiving Applications

The American Chemical Society Scholars Program is now taking applications for the 2008-09 academic year. The program is designed to encourage African-American, Hispanic, and Native American students to pursue chemistry and biochemistry degrees.

Current students and high school seniors are eligible to apply, with awards ranging from $2500 per year for freshmen up to $5000 per year for juniors and seniors.

For more information, including the application and instruction materials, visit this ACS site.

Deadline is March 1, 2008

Chemistry Seminar - 2/1

On Friday, February 1, Dr. Heba Abourahma of the IUP Chemistry Department will present "Crystal Engineering of Supramolecular Assemblies".

Join us at 3:30pm in Weyandt 149. Light refreshments will be served.

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Dr. John Woolcock Selected as Chair

Dr. John Woolcock, the current chair of the chemistry department, was chosen unanimously (18-0) to serve as the department chair for a second three-year term, starting May 1, 2008.

The vote was held in 236 Weyandt this morning at 11am, with an APSCUF observer.

Congratulations, John!

Chemistry Department Featured in "Working Beyond Expectations"

The Chemistry Department, a current student, and an alumna were all featured in January's edition of the IUP Career Development Centers Working Beyond Expectations! online newsletter.

Ms. Nicole Morozowich was a featured current IUP chemistry student, and her article can be found here.

Ms. Chrysa Malosh was a featured IUP chemistry alumna, and her article can be found here.

Finally, the chemistry department was highlighted, and that information can be found here.

Friday, January 25, 2008

SACP Summer 2008 Internship: PPG

PPG Industries is a world-leader in coating technologies. The Analytical department plays a key role in developing new products and supporting existing technologies.

In the past, PPG's Analytical Group has hired summer interns to provide a hands-on learning experience in an industrial analytical lab environment. They worked with trained professionals who are experts in enabling innovation and developing new methodologies to support R&D efforts and solve plant problems. The individuals were exposed to a variety of analytical techniques including spectroscopy, chromatography, microscopy, and wet chemical. Under the supervision of a degreed analyst, they also worked on method development projects.

The Society for Analytical Chemists of Pittsburgh (SACP) will sponsor two internships during the summer of 2008. Chemistry, chemistry education or biochemistry majors who are currently juniors are eligible for the program. Senior chemistry majors who plan to pursue graduate studies in the fall of 2008 may also apply. Internships are tentatively available at the following company and institution:
* Carnegie Science Center (see previous post)
* PPG Industries (this post) at the Coatings Innovation Center

Both internships are for approximately three months, with a monthly stipend of $1000.

Pleas submit:
1. a letter expressing your interests in chemistry
2. your first and second preferences for the location of your internship (Carnegie Science Center or PPG)
3. a letter of recommendation from your chemistry professor and/or chemistry advisor
4. a current transcript (does not have to be official)
5. current school and home addresses and telephone numbers

Send to:
SACP
Summer Internship Program
Suite 332
300 Penn Center Blvd.
Pittsburgh, PA 15235-5503

DEADLINE: March 1, 2008

SACP Summer 2008 Internship: Carnegie Science Center

When: Summer 2008
Hours: 30 hours/week, incl. one weekend day and occasional evenings
Eligibility: senior chem/chem ed majors
Where: Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh (next to Heinz Field)

What: This chemistry internship at Carnegie Science Center is a truly unique experience. It provides the basic opportunity for students of chemistry to demonstrate their excitement for science while honing interpersonal and public speaking skills. This internship is ideal for a student of chemistry who may be considering science education as a career. You'll be responsible for the following:
* presenting science demonstrations to visitors of various ages in the Science Theaters; preparing the materials, conducting the activities, etc.
* supervising and maintaining the chemistry prep room; maintaining chemical inventory
* assisting theater presenters in prepping chemicals, props, equipment, and supplies for science demonstration programs
* conducting research in preparation for future science demonstration programs; must prepare a final report and submit to the Carnegie Science Center and Internship Advisor
* mastering the presentation of three or more large-audience science demonstration programs
* upholding our commitment to customer service, our mission to provide science education and inspiration, and our commitment to respecting diversity

Parameters:
* not responsible for administering first aid or CPR
* must attend all staff trainings as scheduled
* must demonstrate proficiency in all areas before working independently, including cryogenics and flammables

Contact (Intern Supervisor):
* Aimee Kampbell (412) 237-1645
* Mike Hennessy (412) 237-3307

The Society for Analytical Chemists of Pittsburgh (SACP) will sponsor two internships during the summer of 2008. Chemistry, chemistry education or biochemistry majors who are currently juniors are eligible for the program. Senior chemistry majors who plan to pursue graduate studies in the fall of 2008 may also apply. Internships are tentatively available at the following company and institution:
* Carnegie Science Center (this post)
* PPG Industries (next posting) at the Coatings Innovation Center

Both internships are for approximately three months, with a monthly stipend of $1000.

Pleas submit:
1. a letter expressing your interests in chemistry
2. your first and second preferences for the location of your internship (Carnegie Science Center or PPG)
3. a letter of recommendation from your chemistry professor and/or chemistry advisor
4. a current transcript (does not have to be official)
5. current school and home addresses and telephone numbers

Send to:
SACP
Summer Internship Program
Suite 332
300 Penn Center Blvd.
Pittsburgh, PA 15235-5503

DEADLINE: March 1, 2008

Joint Pitt-Carnegie Mellon Computational Biology PhD Program

For those searching out graduate programs for 2008 or beyond, you may wish to look at the joint Pitt-CMU computational biology program.

"The goal of the program is to provide intensive interdisciplinary education to enable outstanding students to become leaders in identifying and solving tomorrow's biological problems using computational methods."

They're looking for students with backgrounds in computational biology, bioinformatics, cheminformatics, biology, biochemistry, physics, chemistry, math, stats, engineering, or comp sci.

check out either of the websites for more information:
http://www.compbio.cmu.edu/
http://www.compbio.pitt.edu/

Thursday, January 24, 2008

First Journal Club Meeting for Spring 2008

The first journal club meeting will be Friday, January 25 at 2:30pm in Weyandt 236. For more information, contact Dr. Jon Southard.

Thursday, January 3, 2008

NSF-Funded Science & Engineering Opportunities for 2008 (GRAD STUDENTS ONLY)

Program Overview
The Central Europe Summer Research Institute (CESRI) is designed to provide U.S. graduate students in the sciences and engineering with a high-quality international summer research experience in Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Poland or Slovakia.

Funded by the National Science Foundation, the CESRI program sends enrolled U.S. graduate students in biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, environmental science, or mathematics for 8 weeks to receive a relevant laboratory experience in Central Europe in the sciences.

In the past two years, grantees have travelled to Central Europe to work on a wide range of projects, from studying the properties of Roman concrete, studying genes that confer disease resistance and working on improved data transmission on wireless networks.

For Summer 2008, CESRI will support up to 14 qualified grantees.

New Online Application
The 2008 competition is now open with a February 4th deadline. Program details, including the new online application, are available online: http://www.iie.org/cesri

Additional Information
If you would have any questions or would like to receive brochures for the program, please feel free to contact CESRI program manager, Vijay Renganathan at the email or telephone number below


NSF Central Europe Summer Research Institute
U.S. Student Programs
Institute of International Education
809 United Nations Plaza
New York, NY 10017
P: 212 984 5442
F: 212 984 5325
cesri@iie.org