Issue #2 (2023) · October 2023
E-CACS 2023 Newsletter — Issue #2
Recap of the 2023 Annual Symposium at Rutgers (theme: Chemistry and Medicine for Modern Life), the Summer BBQ Picnic & Youth Science Fair at Donaldson Park, the 2023 Young Scientist Award winners, an upcoming webinar with Prof. William Banholzer, and a celebration of Dujuan Lu’s national CACS Rising Star Award.
Editor's Note
Editors: Xizhe (Gigi) Zhao, Mingxiao Li · Cover designer: Mingxiao Li
Welcome to Issue #2 of the 2023 E-CACS Newsletter. This issue recaps the Annual Symposium and Summer BBQ Picnic, recognizes our 2023 Young Scientist Award winners, introduces an upcoming webinar with Prof. William Banholzer, and celebrates Dr. Dujuan Lu's national CACS Rising Star Award.
2023 E-CACS Annual Symposium — Chemistry and Medicine for Modern Life
It is with great enthusiasm that we report on the success of the 2023 Annual Symposium of the Chinese American Chemical Society – East Chapter. After four years of virtual events, we were thrilled to bring this highly anticipated gathering back to an in-person setting. The symposium took place at the Busch Campus of Rutgers University on June 17, 2023, and it was a resounding success.
This year's symposium was centered around the theme "Chemistry and Medicine for Modern Life," highlighting the pivotal roles that chemistry and medicine play in enhancing our quality of life. Discussions and presentations encompassed a wide range of topics, from the development of life-saving drugs and therapies to the creation of sustainable and environmentally-friendly chemical processes.
Highlights of the symposium
The event featured enlightening talks from leading experts in green chemistry, synthetic biology, pharmaceutical R&D, intellectual property, and regulatory affairs. Attendees participated in a career workshop and panel discussions, explored job postings, presented their own research in the poster session, and competed for prestigious awards. A vendor show and prize drawings added to the vibrancy of the event.
The symposium served as a valuable platform for attendees to engage with their peers, learn about the latest advancements in chemistry and medicine, and connect with potential collaborators and employers.
Opening remarks
The symposium commenced with opening remarks from Xiaozhou Zhang, Ph.D., who serves as the President of the CACS East Chapter for 2023. Dr. Zhang's address set the tone for the day, conveying a sense of excitement and anticipation for the knowledge-sharing and collaboration that would define the event.
Following the opening remarks, attendees had the honor of listening to a welcoming speech by Longqin Hu, Ph.D., Professor and Chair of Medicinal Chemistry at Rutgers University. Dr. Hu's speech added a scholarly perspective to the symposium, highlighting the role of academia in advancing the fields of chemistry and medicine.
One of the distinguished highlights of the opening session was a "Congratulating Speech via Video" from Dr. Judy Giordan, the President of the American Chemical Society (ACS). Her address, delivered remotely, emphasized the significance of the event within the broader context of the chemical community.
Morning session
The morning session featured a distinguished keynote speaker, John Warner, celebrated for his groundbreaking contributions to green chemistry. His presentation, titled "Green Chemistry, the Sustainability Pendulum, and the Circular Economy," left a lasting impact. With over 300 patents, Warner's transformative inventions have influenced industries and inspired new companies, from ALS therapy to hair color restoration. He drew a compelling parallel between the materials economy and chemistry, likening it to a pendulum, and elaborated on embedded cycles essential to sustainability — use/reuse, assembly/disassembly, materials metabolism, regeneration, and ecosystem stability.
The second morning speaker was Dr. Yajun Yan, a distinguished bioengineer who shed light on groundbreaking research in microbial systems for advancing green manufacturing. His innovative work has translated into 16 patents, some of which have been licensed to leading companies, fostering the creation of two startup ventures. Dr. Yan's seminar emphasized the need to broaden the range of synthesized products and enhance biosynthetic efficiency, exploring how to repurpose enzymes for microbial synthesis of specialty chemicals and establish a modifiable carbon-metabolism coordination system for carbon-efficient production.
Dr. Zhixiong Xue, a Senior Principal Scientist and Technical Fellow at International Flavors & Fragrances Inc., delivered a thought-provoking presentation titled "Construction of Cell Factory via Metabolic Engineering — Designer Microorganism for the Production of Valuable Organic Chemicals." He emphasized advances in molecular biology and genetics that enable efficient modification of microorganism metabolism for the sustainable production of valuable organic molecules, illustrated through metabolic engineering in Yarrowia lipolytica yielding omega-3 fatty acids.
The last speaker in the morning session was Dr. Hao Chen, Ph.D., Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Environmental Science at NJIT. Due to a personal issue, Dr. Chen was unable to present, and his student, Timothy Yaroshuk, took the stage to discuss "Ensuring Patient Safety: Unveiling the Hidden Dangers — Drug Impurities." The presentation focused on detecting and quantifying carcinogenic N-nitrosamines in drugs, particularly the sartan family which had led to numerous recalls. Dr. Chen's group developed an innovative absolute-quantitation strategy using coulometric mass spectrometry (CMS) without the need for standards, converting N-nitrosamines into electrochemically active hydrazine and quantifying them with CMS.
Afternoon session
Mark Tang, a seasoned expert in the healthcare and biotech industry, opened the afternoon session with "Thoughts on Financing Options for Healthcare Biotech Startups and Established Companies." He discussed the recent downturn in the public market and its impact on biotech companies, emphasizing the need for alternative financing options — cutting burn rates, strategic licensing, royalty financing, private equity, PIPEs, debt, and the rise of SPACs.
Linda Zhao, an experienced pharma executive, followed with "From a Pharma Researcher to a Pharma BD." Her talk highlighted the vital role of Business Development (BD) professionals in pharma and biotech — establishing collaborations, in-licensing and out-licensing, co-development, and more. With over a decade in global pharma BD and alliance management combined with an R&D background, Linda offered guidance on transitioning from a scientist to a successful BD professional.
Dr. Jin Zhu, an experienced patent attorney with a strong scientific background, closed the speaker program with "Battle Between Generic Company and Brand-name Company." Jin delved into the intricate struggle between brand-name pharmaceutical companies and their generic counterparts, providing valuable insights into the economic, legal, and societal factors that shape pharmaceutical competition.
Career Development Panel
The next session was a Career Development Panel Discussion featuring four distinguished panelists who shared their personal stories and insights:
- Dujuan Lu — EC member of E-CACS, scientist at SGS, offering an industry scientist's perspective.
- Joe Chen — lawyer at Fox Rothschild LLP, bringing a legal viewpoint on the intersection of law and pharma.
- Linda Zhao — BD professional, sharing her journey from researcher to pharma BD.
- Yanbin Pan — EC member of E-CACS, CEO of BirdoTech, offering a leadership perspective on becoming a CEO in healthcare.
The panelists answered audience questions, providing guidance and mentorship. Their collective expertise enriched the symposium by addressing the various career paths and opportunities within the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors.
Closing remarks and posters
The day closed with remarks by Yuan Cheng, Ph.D., President-Elect of the CACS East Chapter for 2023. Dr. Cheng acknowledged the efforts of the organizing committee, speakers, and participants, and expressed his optimism for the future of the chemical and pharmaceutical industries — emphasizing the importance of collaboration, innovation, and sustainability.
In a showcase of academic excellence, the symposium featured eight engaging posters presented by academic professors and students. The Executive Committee evaluated these presentations and recognized:
- Gold: Vijay Subramanian (New Jersey Medical School)
- Silver: Shuang Chen (Stevens Institute of Technology)
- Bronze: Priya Marella (NYU Langone Health), Mingjing Sun (Kean University), Yiling Wang (Rutgers University), Jingyu Sun (Stevens Institute of Technology), Siyun Yang (Kean University)
The symposium was a resounding success, bringing together approximately 130 enthusiastic attendees, including 8 distinguished speakers, 16 sponsors and vendors, 10 vendor show participants, and 8 poster presentations from academic professors and students. On behalf of the organizing committee, we express our gratitude to everyone who contributed to the success of the symposium — members, guest speakers, sponsors, and volunteers.
2023 Summer BBQ Picnic & Youth Science Fair — A Blend of Science and Delight
E-CACS hosted a spectacular Summer BBQ Picnic, coupled with a captivating Youth Science Fair, all set against the backdrop of community camaraderie. This event, held at Donaldson Park on August 5th, was a resounding success, bringing together members, friends, and families for a day filled with food, science, and fun.
The highlight of the picnic was undoubtedly the renowned Zibo BBQ, which tantalized taste buds with its traditional Chinese barbecue delights. Running parallel to the BBQ, the Youth Science Fair explored the theme "Cool the Earth with Fire," where young minds showcased their scientific prowess by delving into the science of biochar and its potential to combat climate change. The fair sparked curiosity and inspired the audience with innovative ideas and insights into environmental sustainability.
The fair showcased the brilliance of our young talents through several well-prepared poster presentations, where they eloquently explained complex scientific concepts with impressive clarity and confidence. One of the highlights was a captivating demonstration of biochar production with a DIY kiln, alongside a thrilling drawing contest with biochar that fostered creativity among the participants.
None of this would have been possible without the relentless efforts of our dedicated organizers — Daniel Zhang (Bridgewater-Raritan High School), Sherry Wang (Rutgers Preparatory School), Claire Cheng (Livingston High School), and Jessica Cowling (ExxonMobil) — who worked tirelessly to ensure a smooth and unforgettable experience for everyone involved.
We are deeply grateful to our esteemed scientific advisors Mingwen (Kevin) Wang, Yuan Cheng, Tony (Wenzhao) Wu, and Xiaozhou (John) Zhang whose guidance and mentorship played a pivotal role in shaping the minds of our young scientists. A big shout-out to our generous sponsors — ACS Scientific, Inc., BirdoTech, ExxonMobil, and Fox Rothschild LLP — for their unwavering support in making this event a grand success.
CACS Young Scientist Award 2023
We are delighted to share the exceptional accomplishments of the next generation of scientific leaders. Through rigorous evaluation, we are thrilled to present the winners of this year's Young Scientist Award and an honorable mention.
The CACS Young Scientist Award is a prestigious accolade dedicated to promoting chemistry and other STEM areas as a career choice among young Chinese Americans in the greater Tri-State area. This award serves as a testament to our commitment to encouraging young talents in the field of science.
Award winners
- Eliana Zhang — East Brunswick High School
- Lelun Li — Livingston High School
- Raymond Cai — Holmdel High School
- Sheryl Liu — Livingston High School
Honorable mention
- Rebecca Zhang — Biotechnology High School
These young scientists exemplify the spirit of curiosity, innovation, and dedication to their respective fields. They are the future of scientific excellence, and we are proud to recognize their remarkable achievements.
Upcoming Event — Webinar with Professor William Banholzer
We are delighted to announce an upcoming webinar that promises to be both insightful and engaging. Professor William Banholzer from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, former CTO of Dow and VP of GE, will present "Perspectives on Separating Possible vs. Practical Sustainable Solutions for Energy and Materials."
- Date: November 9, 2023
- Time: 7:30–9:00 PM (ET)
Abstract
The world aspires for sources of energy and chemical feedstocks that are 100% sustainable in adequate amounts to support a high standard of living for all. Current energy policies intending to accelerate the transition to renewable sources will restrict supply and inevitably drive up not only the price of energy but also food and most other goods. KWh and BTUs are less familiar than units of mass or volume, which combined with a desire for quick solutions can result in overly optimistic predictions. Even worse, some proposals neglect fundamental engineering limitations and the rationale for why high-energy-density fuels dominate our current systems.
This talk will review several examples — including carbon capture using NaOH, biofuels, and green hydrogen/ammonia — where fundamental engineering or financial considerations were ignored, illustrating how mass and energy balances can be used as a compass to guide society. It will also review how sustainability can have competing priorities that complicate optimum solutions.
To register, scan the QR code in the flyer above and reserve your spot.
Announcements
Celebrating Dujuan Lu — A Rising Star Award winner
We are delighted to extend our warmest congratulations to Dujuan Lu, a distinguished member of both SGS and the Chinese American Chemical Society – East Chapter. Dujuan has been recognized as the awardee for the esteemed Rising Star Award by the National Chinese American Chemical Society.
This accolade is a testament to Dujuan's unwavering commitment and exceptional contributions to the field of chemistry. Her dedication and achievements have not only set a shining example but have made a significant impact within the scientific community.
Once again, hearty congratulations to Dujuan Lu on this remarkable achievement!
Volunteer recruitment — Join E-CACS and make a difference
E-CACS is thrilled to announce our volunteer recruitment drive. As our organization grows, we need help to continue our mission of fostering connections, promoting scientific excellence, and supporting young talents. You can choose from several departments:
- Business Development — explore new opportunities, partnerships, and sponsorships.
- Outreach — engage with the community and promote E-CACS values through events and outreach.
- Communication — contribute to the website, social media, newsletters, and communication efforts.
- Internal Affairs — support the organization's internal management and operations.
- Finance — assist in financial matters and budgeting.
To express your interest, contact us at xizhe.zhao@gmail.com or yuancheng981@gmail.com.
Become a member — Join us at East CACS!
Are you passionate about chemistry, chemical engineering, or related fields? East CACS invites you to join our vibrant community for networking, career support, recognition, professional development, and to stay informed.
Explore our website at eastcacs.org to learn more, and register for membership at eastcacs.org/membership. Membership is open to professionals, students, and corporations who support our mission.
Closing Remarks
We hope this newsletter has provided you with valuable information about E-CACS's latest developments and upcoming events. With a new chapter name and a dynamic executive committee, E-CACS is poised to make a significant impact on the scientific community. We look forward to seeing you at our events and working together to advance chemistry and its applications.