February 2009 Page1

Iota Sigma Pi National Honor Society for Women in Chemistry

February 2009 Issue No. 99

New Year Greetings!! National Inventors

Hall of Fame for Ruth Rogan Benerito! “Wrinkle Free Cotton”

Photo by Mary Jackson, Courtesy Lemelson MIT program, Masachusetts Institute of Technology

Ruth Rogan Benerito, Chlorine Chapter member, was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in Akron, Ohio, on May 3, 2008, for her work on the invention of wrinkle- free or "wash and wear" cotton. She was the fifteenth National Honorary Member of Iota Sigma Pi in 1975. When she was the chief of physical chemical investigation at the Cotton Chemical Reactions Laboratory at the Southern Regional Research Center, USDA, Agricultural Research Center, New Orleans, She led the team that developed the the wrinkle-free cotton.

Using a process called cross-linking, where the chainlike cellulose molecules were joined together chemically, Benerito's group could make the cotton resistant to wrinkling! Initially the wrinkle free effect was attributed to strengthening the fibres, but the amount used in Benerito’s treatment is small and does not add much strength.

Benerito’s group also developed a new theory on how cross-linking works and showed that the strengthening of hydrogen bonds is what made the material resistant to wrinkling!

Benertio's also received the prestigious Lemelson-MIT Lifetime Achievement Award for her work in on textiles and her commitment to education. We are honored to have an Iotan and a distinguished scientist as Benerito to lift our minds to continue our commitment to science and teaching! For many of us who like the feel of real cotton and cannot spend time on ironing, we have Ruth Benerito, an Iotan to thank for!!

“Texas Woman of Distinction” Mamie Moy

Photo by Pathik Shah, Courtesy University of Houston

The. West Harris County Branch of the American Association of University Women nominated Professor Mamie Moy, a member of Neptunium Chapter, as a “Texas Women of Distinction” for the year 2008.

At a recent Expanding Your Horizons

Conference in Houston, the girls were asked to respond to the question “Girls can be as good in math and science as boys.” One 12-year-old emphatically circled “Yes” a couple of times and added “Duh!” She must have had a teacher like Professor Mamie Moy. Professor Moy is the longest serving tenured professor at the University of Houston, where she teaches chemistry. Her UH career started as an instructor and has included stints as the director of graduate studies, associate chair of the Department of Chemistry and founder and director of the Science Mathematics Applied Resources for Teachers Center (SMART).

“My interest in science, and chemistry in particular, goes back to high school in San Antonio. My science teacher promised us that we would do fun things – and we did. The problem-solving was exciting and that’s what I still like to do.”

Continued on page 2

In This Issue! Iotans Honored! 1-2 Committee Reports 3-4 2011 Convention Bid 5 Chapter News 6 Member News 6

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________ Page 2 February 2009

Continued from page 1

Education was of prime importance in her family. “My parents were some of the first Chinese immigrant pioneers in San Antonio. Their vision was that my two siblings and I were to be educated as much as we could, even though it was extremely difficult for them financially. Here at UH when I see youngsters who say they were the first in the family to graduate from high school or to graduate from college, I know what the families have gone through to get them there. I applaud them for their commitment to education.” Professor Moy received the Outstanding Teaching Excellence award from the University of Houston in 1977. She has also received other honors including the Asian Pacific American Women Leadership Institute’s Star Thrower Award, the American Chemical Society’s Helen M. Free Award for Public Outreach and the National Science Teachers Association’s Distinguished Service to Science Education Award. She also was presented with the Texas Executive Women’s Woman on the Move and the Houston YWCA Outstanding Educator awards.

In awarding her the Helen M. Free Award for Public Outreach in 2003, the American Chemical Society recognized her for a lifetime achievement in outreach to everyone from young learners to teachers to underrepresented groups. The award stated: She has made chemistry ‘real’ for each audience and has ensured the future of her efforts by training others to perform outreach activities as well.

Professor Moy was sought out by other women, both faculty and students, for help in reorganizing and revitalizing the local chapter of Iota Sigma Pi, the national honor society for women in chemistry. “It’s

important for these women to be recognized for the contributions they make,” she explained.

In announcing the 2003 NSTA Distinguished Service to Science Education Award, the NSTA newsletter noted that Professor Mamie Moy has dedicated her career to making chemistry accessible to all, including undergraduate and graduate chemistry students, teachers, children, and the community. The newsletter also noted that Professor Mamie Moy has received accolades for establishing the SMART Center, a facility for the continuing education and training of elementary and high school teachers, and has raised the status of women in chemistry.

Professor Moy pointed out that even 3- and 4-year-olds can play with an engine of a toy truck and recognize that the big gears make it go slower, the small gears faster. This early observation can be expanded to include more involved experiments with engines, including everything from mechanical manipulation to examining the mathematics behind the mechanics. "Toys can make science and engineering more approachable for children," Moy says. "When you use toys, children are immediately comfortable and engaged, and activities using toys can be easily adjusted to make them age-appropriate. That they're learning engineering principles is a happy benefit for everyone."

The West Harris County Branch of AAUW benefits from this focus every year that Moy presents to middle schools girls in our Expanding Your Horizons Conference. She is also the best recruiter for presenters at University of Houston.

Mamie Moy’s Message Being selected as a Texas Woman of Distinction was a great honor. The recognition belongs to all of the women who helped and worked with me to bring science to the public. Without their support and cooperation throughout the years I would not have been able to meet and know the vast number of individuals who share my passion for reaching out and giving back to the community.

As our students graduate and begin to make their mark in the scientific communities I hope they will be mindful of those who encouraged and inspired them. They should continue to excel in their scientific careers by a constant desire to increase their knowledge, hone their skills and appreciate those who helped them on their journey to success. Let your passion be your guide!

Continued on page 3

Save the Date! Tuesday, March 24

Iota Sigma Pi Social Hour Where: ACS National Meeting Salt Lake City, Utah; Salt Palace Convention Center, Room 150 A, B, and C* When: 6:00-8:00pm, Tuesday, March 24, 2009 Who: Iota Sigma Pi Why: Great opportunity to network with chapters from around the country. Snacks will be provided

*Room assignment may change, please check with ACS upon

conference arrival

February 2009 Page3

Continued from Page 2 On Friday, June 27, 2008, during the 29th Triennial Convention, delegates each took part in two sessions of committee meetings to address issues for the convention

Extension and Publicity Reported by Ajitha Devarajan

The committee recommended that a template be created for the website such that chapters can print their own business cards on Avery labels and or business cards (labels would include our website address and minimal information about our organization) as suggested by the out-going editor. The committee also recommended that the VP should investigate developing Myspace and Facebook sites for social networking and recommended a reemphasis on the “member get a member” program. Members should be encouraged to submit their national dues. The committee stressed that information on the website describing the benefits of membership be updated.

Membership Communications Reported by Paula Fox

The Membership Communications committee discussed matters relating to the national website, The Iotan, the Membership Directory, council cards and other publications. Committee recommended an electronic delivery of the Iotan newsletter to reduced printing & mailing costs, have more flexibility regarding the length of each issue, avoiding the slow rate of bulk mailings through USPS, and color photos. Committee recommended that the National Editor pursue methods for electronic delivery of The Iotan, with a printed version available only on request. The committee also stressed the need for all members and chapters to make a sincere effort to regularly submit news and articles to the Editor for inclusion in the newsletter. The committee discussed

29th TRIENNIAL CONVENTION

COMMITTEE REPORTS

other publications and suggested that all printed documents should be reviewed especially artwork and logos, to make sure they are represented in a highly professional manner. Finally, the committee discussed the mode of publication of Membership Directory. Due to a number of issues (late initiations, incorrect addresses, and extremely high printing & mailing costs), the committee recommended that an electronic publication would satisfy the needs of most officers and members. Printed copies would be available only on request. Since this would be a change from the procedure listed in the Rules & Regulations, the committee presented two motions to reflect the fact that the National Records Chair, rather than the National Editor, would be responsible for the Member Directory. Both motions passed unanimously.

Budget and Finance Reported by Ajitha Devarajan

The committee recognized the outstanding performance of Margaret Workman as treasurer. There is a detailed budget in the 29th Triennial Convention binder. The committed proposed the following motions: i) increase the initiation fee ii) increase annual fee for regular members iii) no increase in student fee and iv) new formula for life membership fee. All the motions were passed with a majority of votes.

Awards Committee Reported by Jie Huang

During the 2008 triennial meeting, the awards committee, stressed the following issues. First, the question of how to increase the number of candidates for the professional awards was addressed. We would especially like to see more applications for the Violet Diller Award for Professional Excellence and the Centennial Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching. It was agreed that to attract more candidates, the criteria should to stress that they do not need to be a member of ΙΣΠ . Also, early notification of the award to the department chairs across the country may also help to solve this problem. The committee proposed to increase the monetary amount of the most prestigious ΙΣΠ award, National Honorary Member, to $1500 and suggested the new national council members to consider this increase. The newly added High School Award was also discussed. The current way of presenting this award is considered to be good except that the notification flyer to the ΙΣΠ chapters might be made hot pink to attract more attention. Finally, the committee also suggested adding new acknowledgements for women scientists at associate level and/or qualified M.S. students. Continued on page 4

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________ Page 4 February 2009

Continued from Page 3

Chapter Program Development

Reported by Ajitha Devarajan Ways to recruit new members and the utility of having a membership coordinator were discussed. The format of the membership forms and what information should be included on the membership form was discussed. No additions were recommended for rituals. The committee recommends that the current brochure and website be updated with additional information about the benefits of membership and that the new membership form include a checklist and some optional questions to gather data on how to reach people. Committee proposes two motions. First motion is to continue the "mini-grant" program to provide up to $250 to a maximum of 10 chapters per triennium with only one awarded per chapter per triennium. The mini-grant can be used to support special projects, programs or events of the chapter (excluding routine chapter events). Second motion is to continue the triennial Chapter Award for Outstanding Chapter in the amount of $250. Both motions were passed unanimously.

MAL Committee Reported By Jie Huang

The MAL committee proposed the following recommendations. (i) The Listserv will not be continued. (ii) Any information that needs to be communicated through the members will be included in the MAL Newsletter. (iii) The frequency and content of the Newsletter will remain the same and be at the discretion of the MAL Coordinator. Recommendations concerning the MAL Educational Reentry Award were made. Postcards will be sent out

to chemistry faculty to draw attention to ΙΣΠ by including the link to the MAL webpage the amount of the award, and the criteria for the nominators or the nominees. MAL committee also recommended improving the activity of MAL by initiating a Mini-Grant process that would allow MAL/ΙΣΠ activities. Finally, the MAL members are encouraged to contact the MAL Coordinator to obtain information about other MALs residing their geographical area and thus get better connected with other members. The committee selected Plutonium Chapter at Purdue University as the Outstanding Chapter of this triennial period and honorably mentioned Chlorine Chapter. Both chapters have done an excellent job in recruiting new members and increasing the visibility of . ΙΣΠ The MAL is now asking for volunteers for both the MAL Webmaster and the MAL Treasurer positions. If you are interested, please contact the current MAL Coordinator, Karen Knaus as soon as possible.

Installation and

Reactivation Reported by Ajitha Devarajan

The committee compiled a list of goals and strategies for establishing new chapters and revitalizing inactive chapters. The benefits and drawbacks of revitalizing inactive chapters rather than allowing the establishment of a new chapter were discussed. It was recommended that at least one mentor should be assigned to each new or reactivating chapter by the National Vice President. The committee reviewed the benefits, strategies and processes to help chapters achieve “metropolitan” status and concluded that many of the suggestions brought forth for helping new and reactivating chapters also apply to currently existing chapters. The committee recommended that a

Frequently Asked Questions page be placed on the Iota Sigma Pi national website under “Chapters.”

Audit Committee

Reported by Ajitha Devarajan Committee members inspected the previous auditor’s report, the Treasurer’s annual reports, and the folders with the receipts. The committee commended Maggie Workman for the detailed and thorough treasurer's report in an easily readable format. The committee proposed a motion that the National Council should perform or cause to be performed an accredited external audit of the 2005-2008 Treasurer's report.

Long Range Planning Reported by Ajitha Devarajan

For the continuation of a healthy society, the committee recommended the chapters and members to emphasize our uniqueness, increase our visibility, reactivate chapters and encourage the activities of existing chapters. Committee recommends everyone to seek to expand our society actively by recruiting women in chemistry and allied fields such as chemical engineering, neurosciences, pharmaceutical, environmental, food sciences, and others.

Resolutions Reported by Ajitha Devarajan

The hostess chapter Radium and members of the Convention committee were thanked for all of their efforts in organizing the Convention.

Continued on page 5

February 2009 Page5

Continued from page 4 RECIPIENT OF THE CENTENNIAL AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN

TEACHING ( 2006 ) Professor KALYANI

BANERJEE

Professor Kalyani Banerjee is the 2006 recipient of the Iota Sigma Pi Centennial Award for Excellence in Teaching. In The Iotan Issue #93, we promised to give the biographic details of Professor Banerjee in a later issue and here we report the biographic information on Professor Banerjee. Professor Banerjee received her M.S. in biochemistry from the University of Calcutta, Calcutta, India and her Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University of Pittsburgh. Her post-doctoral training was at the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. In 1994, she obtained her certification to teach high school in Illinois. Professor. Banerjee received the Student Award of the American Institute of Chemist, Chicago Chromatography Discussion Group Award, Iota Sigma Pi Educational Re-entry Award, Chemical Industry Council of Illinois Award and Baxter Laboratory Award in Chemistry.

Professor Banerjee is currently instructor of chemistry in the Division of Science and Health Careers at Oakton Community College and also teaches general chemistry at the City Colleges of Chicago (Wilber Wright

College and Truman College). Professor Banerjcc also finds time to volunteer with several groups including mentoring students of the STEPS program and conducting the “Futures Unlimited” workshop at Oakton College, tutor at the Youth Organizational Umbrella (YOU) in Evanston, work at the Evanston Public Library and the local soup kitchen and helping the elderly and sick people in the community during inclement weather. Professor. Banerjee is a member of the American Chemical Society, Iota Sigma Pi, IEA-NEA, the Illinois Science Teacher Association and the Bengal Association of Greater Chicago.

Visit Our Website! http://www.iotasigmapi.info

There is a wealth of information on opportunities, awards, job listings and also

The Iotan in full color !

There is information on chapter resources and mini

grants!

Continued on page 6

Want to Host the 30th Triennial National

Convention in 2011? To all Iota Sigma Pi Chapters: Have you considered in the past about hosting our National Convention? Would you like the opportunity to meet many of your fellow Iotans from all over the country? We are now issuing a call for bids from each chapter to host the next triennial convention in 2011. The proposal should include estimated costs for lodging, meals, and round-trip airfare between your city and a few major U.S. cities. National Council will pay for all approved expenses. However, each hosting chapter will be responsible for the Thursday night reception. For further details as to what to include in your budget, please contact me at 21000 Brookpark Rd, MS 106-5 Cleveland, OH 44135 or call me at (216)433-6073 or Quynhgiao.N.Nguyen@NASA.gov I would like the bids to be submitted to me by April 1, 2009.

QuynhGiao N. Nguyen, National Vice President

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________ Page 6 February 2009

Continued from Page 5

Continued on page 7

Iota Sigma Pi Fall Initiation and 10-year Celebration of Lanthanum Chapter, December 23, 2008

In celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Lanthanum chapter of Iota Sigma Pi in the Lynchburg area, chapter officers augmented our traditional fall initiation ceremony by inviting a nationally known, highly regarded woman chemist as our guest speaker, Dr. Nancy Mills.

Currently on sabbatical at the University of Oregon, Dr. Mills was able to join us for our event, which was held on Monday, November 17, 2008. Dr. Mills’ professional experiences in chemistry have focused on supporting an exciting and dynamic research program in which undergraduates have played a key role. Her service to the Council of Undergraduate Research underscores her commitment to the education of chemistry students through research experiences.

The event received media attention in the form of an article in the Lynchburg News and Advance , and an article on the SBC news page: http://sbc.edu/newsletter/index.php/site/stories/iota_sigma_pi_chapter_initiates_new_members_celebrates_10th_anniversary.

The lunch forum, focusing on undergraduate research experiences, was well received by students. A lively discussion ensued. The afternoon lecture, “Understanding Aromaticity through Anti-aromaticity”, had a good number of student attendees,. Number of faculty attendees was minimal (due to the faculty memorial service scheduled at the same time).

The evening program included the fall initiation ceremony and student inductees and eleven other guests. In all Dr. Mills’ met with between 50 and 60 students during her visit, and with seven faculty members.

Reported by Jill Granger.

If you need Paper-IOTAN, please

forward your request to the Records Chair

Currently THE IOTAN is delivered to your e-mail address as a default option. All members who have not updated their e-mail addresses are requested again to notify the Records Chair. However, if you need a paper copy of THE IOTAN, please request for a copy from the Records Chair or the National Editor.

. ΙΣΠ Member News

Amy Sparrow, AuI,

won the DePaul University General

Science Scholarship. This will pay her

DePaul tuition for her senior year.

Congratulations

Amy!!

February 2009 Page 7

Sources of Iota Sigma Pi Supplies and Information

Supplies For “Membership Information” and “National Awards” pamphlets, History, Constitution and Bylaws, Rituals of Iota Sigma Pi, Rules and Regulations, The Iotan, Speakers Bureau information, contact the Supplies Coordinator.

Initiation For Membership Application and Summary of Applicants forms, contact the National Secretary.

Forming a Chapter For procedural information and application forms, contact the National Vice President.

For Charter Certificate, contact the National Historian.

Financial Reports For Financial Report forms, contact the National Treasurer.

Awards For criteria and nomination forms: Agnes Fay Morgan Research Award, National Honorary Member, or the Violet Diller Award for Professional Excellence, contact the Director for Professional Awards.

Undergraduate Award for Excellence in Chemistry, Anna Louise Hoffman Graduate Research Achievement Award, Gladys Anderson Emerson Scholarship, contact the Director for Student Awards.

Dues For dues statements and payments, contact the National Treasurer.

Chapter Operations For changes in Chapter Officers list and forms for reporting local elected officers, contact the National Vice President.

Address Labels & Membership List For change of address and member death, contact the Records Chair.

Historical Information Contact: National Historian

***

See National Council listing for officers’ names and addresses.

Iota Sigma Pi - National Council 2008-2011

President Kathryn Louie 3573 Grandview Dr. San Angelo, TX 76904 325-947-1369 klouie@suddenlink.net Vice President QuynhGiao N. Nguyen 21000 Brookpart Rd, MS 106-5, Cleaveland, OH 44135 (216)-433-6073(w) Quynhgiao.N.Nguyen@nasa.gov Secretary Jie Huang Senior Research Scientist AMRI, 26 Corporate Circle Albany, NY 12212-5098 (518) 512-2607 (w) huangcertain@gmail.com Treasurer Margaret Workman DePaul University Environmental Science Program 1110 W. Belden Ave. Chicago, IL 60614 773-325-7445 (w) mworkman@depaul.edu Historian Anne T. Sherren North Central College 555 Foxworth Blvd, Apt. 630 Lombard, IL 60148 630-932-0481 atsherren@noctrl.edu Records Chair Nancy Eddy Hopkins Dept. of Cell & Molecular Biology Tulane University 2000 Stern Hall, 6400 Freret St. New Orleans, LA 70118 504-862-3162 (w) nhopkin@tulane.edu

Coordinator of Members-at-Large Karen Knaus Department of Chemistry University of Colorado Denver Campus Box 194, P.O. Box 173364 Denver, CO 80217-3364 Karen.Knaus@ucdenver.edu Director for Professional Awards Sara Paisner Senior Scientist, Microelectronics Technology Lord Corporation. 110 Lord Drive Cary, NC 27511 919-469-2500, Ext 2490 (w) 919- 469-9688 (fax) sara_paisner@lord.com Director for Student Awards Kathryn A. Thomasson University of North Dakota Chemistry Department, Box 9024 Grand Forks, ND 58202-9024 701-777-3199 (w) kthomasson@chem.und.edu Immediate Past President Janet Clark Dept. of Sciences and Mathematics Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, IN 47876 812-535-5295 (w) jclark@smwc.edu Editor Ajitha Devarajan 124 Spedding Hall, Chem. Dept, Iowa State University/Ames Lab, Ames, IA 50014. (515)-294-6940(w) ajitha.devarajan@gmail.com Supplies Coordinator Reiko Simmons Chemistry Department, Room 301 Cleveland State University Cleveland OH 44115 (216)-687-3969 (w) r.simmons@csuohio.edu Webmaster Christine Hermann Chemistry and Physics, Box 6949 Radford University Radford, VA 24142 (540)-831-5413 (w) chermann@radford.edu

Continued in Page 8

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________ Page 8 February 2009

Iota Sigma Pi The Iotan, c/o Lily Ng P.O. Box 22466 Beachwood, OH 44122

Wait! News about you makes this publication interesting for other Iotans. Please take a few minutes to jot down what you are doing.

1) Speeches, papers, symposia, invited talks 2) Publications, patents, grants awarded 3) New positions, appointments, promotions, awards, honors,

retirements, postdoctoral research 4) Offices held in professional societies 5) Avocational achievements, miscellaneous

Please send news and information to

Ajitha Devarajan, Editor Ajitha.devarajan@gmail.com

or contact by phone for fax information.

Items for “Chapter News” or for general information are also solicited. Send a photo of your activity (electronic format preferred). Please include your chapter name.

Nonprofit