ACS Entrepreneurial Resource Center Showcase East Event: Join us April 9, 2014 Waltham, MA

  ACS ERC Business Pitching Competition and Entrepreneurial Event Waltham, MA by Jennifer Maclachlan

Air Monitoring: Overcoming real-time air toxics monitoring challenges an ENVR Centennial Symposium at #ACSdallas

Air Monitoring: Overcoming real-time air toxics monitoring challenges an ENVR Centennial Symposium at #ACSdallas

Organized by: Jennifer Maclachlan and Jack Driscoll

Presiding: Joseph Sabol

Wednesday March 19, 2014

Marriott Dallas City Center, 650 North Pearl St. Dallas, TX, Bordeaux Room 8:30am-11am 

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Tara Capobianco of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality 

Tara earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York.  She joined the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) in 1997, where she began her career by helping the agency develop its Title V Operating Permits Program.  She continues her employment with the TCEQ and has worked on air-related issues ever since. Tara performed air rule development for the agency early in her career, and her most notable projects included the rulemaking that allowed the state to obtain full approval of its Title V program from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), followed by the rulemaking to address EPA’s Notice of Deficiency of the Title V program shortly after.  Tara has served the TCEQ as the team leader of the Air Permits Rules Development Team and as a technical specialist in the Air Permits Coatings and Combustion New Source Review Section. Tara has most recently served as the TCEQ’s first Air Pollutant Watch List Coordinator, which is the TCEQ’s program for addressing those areas of the state where ambient air monitoring data show persistent, elevated concentrations of air toxics. Tara and her colleagues at the TCEQ recently developed a paper discussing the TCEQ’s approach for reducing air toxic emissions, which was published in the Journal of Air & Waste Management Association in April 2013. Tara now works out of the TCEQ’s Corpus Christi Regional Office and is a licensed professional engineer in Texas.

FEATURED SPEAKER: Dr. Elena Craft

Dr. Elena Craft is a Health Scientist at Environmental Defense Fund, a non-profit, 

non-governmental, and non-partisan environmental organization. Dr. Craft’s 

background is in molecular toxicology; she holds a M.S. degree in toxicology from NC 

State University, and a PhD from Duke University. She also holds an adjunct 

assistant professorship at the University of Texas School of Public Health in the 

Division of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, & Environmental Sciences. Her research 

experience includes work at both the US EPA and the National Institute of 

Environmental Health Sciences, where she studied the health effects resulting from 

exposure to environmental pollutants such as PCBs, dioxins, and metals. Over the 

last 7 years, she has worked to identify, monitor, and mitigate risk from 

environmental pollution in highly industrial areas, most specifically around port 

areas and petrochemical facilities. The citizens who live and work near this massive 

petrochemical complex are exposed to a disproportionate burden of health risks, as many 

of the areas surrounding these facilities are pollution “hotspots,” where the concentrations 

of specific pollutants in the areas exceed health-based guidelines. 

In the course of her work, Dr. Craft has served in a variety of capacities to advise 

local, regional, and national planning organizations on a diverse set of 

environmental and environmental justice issues, including serving as the current 

chair for the Houston Regional Air Quality Planning Committee, advisor to the Clean 

Air Task Force of Central Texas, and advisor to the Texas state environmental 

agency in developing a remediation program for pollution hotspot areas around the 

state. In addition, Dr. Craft has participated in research endeavors regarding the 

health effects associated with living in areas where the concentrations of certain 

pollutants exceed state-adopted health-based screening guidelines, most recently 

presenting her efforts at the Society of Toxicology Annual meeting on incorporating 

risk assessment methods as a practical tool for assessing health risks from 

environmental exposures. Dr. Craft has testified at a number of national hearings, 

given lectures at a number of universities, and has been interviewed by local, 

national, and international media on environmental issues, presenting scientific 

information from a health-based perspective. She is also a member of the Society of 

Toxicology and Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry and has 

authored several peer-reviewed papers. 

FEATURED SPEAKER: 

KEN BROWN

NAME	POSITION TITLE
Brown, Kenneth Klein	Research Chemist
EDUCATION/TRAINING (Begin with baccalaureate or other initial professional education, such as nursing, and include postdoctoral training.)
INSTITUTION AND LOCATION	DEGREE (If applicable)	YEAR(s)	FIELD OF STUDY
Wayne State University Wayne State University Oakland University University Cincinnati	B.S. M.S. Ph.D. B.S.	1981 1984 1988 2013	Chemistry Analytical Chemistry Biomedical Sciences Electrical Engineering

RESEARCH AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

A. Positions and Honors. List in chronological order previous positions, concluding with your present position. List any honors. Include present membership on any Federal Government public advisory committee.

1969 - 1970                 Biochemical Technician, Difco Laboratories

1970 - 1973                 Quality Control Technician, Marathon Oil Refinery

1973 - 1975                 Research Technician, Energy Development Assocs.

1976 - 1976                 Analytical Chemist, Schrader Analytical

1976 - 1978                 Analytical Chemist, Detroit Testing Laboratory

1978 - 1980                 Chemical Analyst, Ford Motor Company

1981 - 1982                 Teaching Assistant, Wayne State University

1983 - 1988                 Chemist, US Food and Drug Administration

1988 - Present             Research Chemist & Team Leader, NIOSH

Honors

1981    Scholarship to Wayne State University

1983    Cooperative Scholarship FDA/Oakland University

1992    Superior Work Performance from DHHS by William Roper

1995    Special Act or Service Award from DHHS by David Satcher

1996    Nominee for the Alan Shepard Award

1997    CDC/ASTDR Mentoring program Awarded by Dr David Satcher

2008    Bullard-Sherwood Award for Research-to-Practice

B. Selected peer-reviewed publications or manuscripts (2009-2003). This may include manuscripts submitted or accepted if included in the appendix.

S. E. Anderson, K. K. Brown, L. F. Butterworth, A. Fedorowicz, L. G. Jackson, H. F. Frasch, D. Beezhold, A. E. Munson, and B. J. Meade; Evaluation of irritancy and sensitization potential of metalworking fluid mixtures and components. Journal of Immunotoxicology, 2009, in press.

K. K. Brown and K. Robinson; High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Identification, Quantification, and Fractionation of a Suspect Allergen, 4-Chloro-3-methylphenol, in an LLNA-Positive Metalworking Fluid. Tribology Transactions, Jan/Feb 2008.

K. K. Brown, K. L. Cheever, M A Butler, P B. Shaw and J L. McLaurin; Synthesis, characterization, and use of 2-[(²H₉)butoxy]acetic acid and 2-(3-methylbutoxy)acetic acid as an internal standard and an instrument performance surrogate, respectively, for the gas chromatographic–mass spectrometric determination of 2-butoxyacetic acid, a human metabolite of 2-butoxyethanol, Journal of Chromatography B, Volume 792, Issue 2, 25 July 2003, Pages 153-166.

R. Glaser, J. Pretty, K. Brown, J. Arnold, R.A. Lunsford, and S.-H. Park; Analytical method research for metalworking fluids at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Gefahrstoffe – Reinhaltung der Luft, Volume 63, No. 6, June 2003, Pages 237-240.

C. B'Hymer, K. L. Cheever, M. A. Butler and K. K. Brown; Procedure for the quantification of the biomarker (2-methoxyethoxy)acetic acid in human urine samples, Journal of Chromatography B, Volume 795, Issue 1, 25 September 2003, Pages 145-150

C. J. Hines, J. A. Deddens, C. A.F. Striley, R. E. Biagini, D. A. Shoemaker, K. K. Brown, B. A. MacKenzie, and D. R. Hull; Biological Monitoring for Selected Herbicide Biomarkers in the Urine of Exposed Custom Applicators: Application of Mixed-effect Models, Ann Occup Hyg 2003 47: 503-517.

C. Project Support. List both selected ongoing and completed (during the last 3 years) projects. Begin with the projects that are most relevant to the study proposed in this application. Briefly indicate the overall goals of the projects and responsibilities of the key person identified on the Biographical Sketch.

Dr. Brown is currently working as Project Officer, Research Chemist, and Team Leader. As Project officer, he wrote, won funding, and managing the research project titled "Chemical Exposure Monitor for Indoor Positioning". As Research Chemist, developing GC-MS analytical methods for the Diacetyl Exposure Assessment Research Study and manage a GC-MS analytical chemistry instrument laboratory. As Team Leader, he conducts weekly team meetings, providing performance, attendance, and purchasing supervision for the Worker Surveillance Focused Research Team.

Historically as a NIOSH Research Chemist, developed novel chemical exposure analytical chemistry methods, assessed worker exposures to complex chemical mixtures such as metalworking fluids, presented discoveries at International symposiums, and published results in scientific journals. Provided leadership for NIOSH's Comprehensive Analytical Chemistry Services Contract in the role of Alternate Project Officer. Collaborated and conducted research with the NIOSH dermal exposure research team.  For over 10 years, developed biological montoring methods for worker exposure assessment. Supervised the development of a biomonitoring method for glycol ether exposure. Worked with the pesticide exposure team of 12 and developed a bio-monitoring method for the pesticide, 2,4-D, applying the method to a large no-till herbicide applicator study. Trained and supervised technicians, while managing funds allocated for these biomonitoring projects procuring laboratory instruments and supplies. Created biomonitoring analytical methods for aromatic amines and sodium azide and discovered aromatic amine carcinogenic exposure in tire and rubber plant workers. Mentored and trained college students as interns in research projects.

  Air Monitoring Symposium #ACSdallas by Jennifer Maclachlan

SCHB wins two ChemLuminary Awards in Indianapolis

Written for Small Chem Biz Spring 2014 Issue
By: Jennifer Maclachlan, Public Relations Chair, SCHB

There was a tie for Outstanding Collaboration Between a Local Section and Division at the 15th Annual ChemLuminary Awards ceremony at the ACS Fall National Meeting in Indianapolis on September 10, 2013. It was truly a win-win situation for the ACS Division of Small Chemical Businesses who claimed both awards from the Divisional Activities Committee side: one for partnering with the ACS Georgia Local Section and the the second for partnering with the Northeastern Local Section.

About the award winning activity: ACS-GLS and SCHB
The Chemical Businesses Group of the ACS Georgia Local Section organized an entrepreneurial networking event that featured a Showcase of 18 small chemical businesses within their local section on November 9, 2012, hosted by Kennesaw State University, in cooperation with, the ACS Georgia Local Section Academia/Industry Forum. According to Deanna Morrow Hall, one of the organizers,  this event was an "enormous opportunity to raise the visibility of the area’s chemical businesses". The Academia/Industry Forum included talks on research collaborations between universities and industry focusing on patenting inventions, developing a commercial product, and government regulations. Innovative Project Grant (IPG) funding was used for the Local Chemical Businesses Showcase with the goal of developing membership by creating a networking venue for current and prospective members in the chemical enterprise via the small chemical business Showcase. This award was one of six that the ACS-Georgia Local Section won at the 2013 Chemluminary awards.

Photo credit: Peter Cutts Photography
L to R:
Sharon Vercellotti, Stan Seelig, Lynn Sullivan, Mitchell Bruce, Joe Sabol, Mike Morello, Mukund Chorghade and Tom Barton

About the award winning activity: NESACS and SCHB
The Northeastern Local section in cooperation with the ACS Division of Small Chemical Businesses and Nova Biomedical with financial support from the NESACS Government Relations Committee, organized a day long symposium on October 11, 2012 titled: Starting and Financing a Small Chemical Business. The program included a summary of the ACS Entrepreneurial Initiative, programs available from the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center, the start-up of Nova Biomedical in the 1970s, conventional  and SBA financing. Other subjects included advantages of executive education for technical/scientific entrepreneurs, non dilutive and dilutive equity funding and enlightening talks on the advantages of tweeting and utilizing other social media platforms for marketing a small chemical business. True Stories of Chemical Entrepreneurs, an SCHB flagship symposium at ACS National and Regional Meetings, debuted at this local section symposium and featured four NESACS members and their fascinating true stories ranging from working with Senators Kennedy and Dole to get government R&D funding for small businesses in the early 1980s to the start-up of a contract drug discovery company in the Boston area. The evening portion of the event was the NESACS Monthly Meeting honoring the 50, 60 and 70 year ACS members. 

Photo credit: Peter Cutts Photography
L to R:
Mike Morello, Sharon Vercellotti, Jennifer Maclachlan, Joe Sabol, Stan Seelig, Mukund Chorghade, Mitchell Bruce, Jack Driscoll and Tom Barton.

Stay tuned: On April 9, 2014, Nova Biomedical is hosting the ACS Entrepreneurial Resource Center Showcase East business pitching competition in cooperation with the ACS Division of Small Chemical Businesses and the Northeastern Local Section. If you wish to attend this event, contact Jennifer Maclachlan at pr@acs-schb.org. 

Partner with the ACS Division of Small Chemical Businesses: Contact Mukund Chorghade at chair@acs-schb.org to partner with us on entrepreneurial local section events and/or to collaborate with us on symposia at National or Regional Meetings. 

Discover the Entrepreneurial Resources Available to Members of the ACS Division of Small Chemical Businesses

  SCHB Spring 2014 Newsletter uploaded by Jennifer Maclachlan