Group News

A number of events are being set up by SCI's Regional and Technical Groups for Early Career Scientists. Keep an eye on our events calendar and make the most of support being offered to PhD students, postdocs, and those starting out in industry or academia.

Sense About Science is holding a Standing up for Science media workshop at SCI on Friday 25 May.

The Day of Science and Careers, organised by the College of Scholars, took place at SCI HQ, Belgrave Square, London on 16 April 2012.

Research involves anti-cancer properties of marine sponges

Kick Start Your Career is an annual event organised by the Liverpool and North West Group to enable students of chemistry, chemical engineering and related subjects to meet successful business and industry personnel from the area and talk about careers.

The Introduction to Epigenetic Drug Discovery took place on 28 March at Cambridge HQ at the Chesterford Research Park.

Your chance to really get involved at SCI

I presented a talk entitled ‘Biologically Active Tetrahydroxanthones by Sequential Pd Catalysed C–O and C–C bond formation’. This formed part of a session within ‘Metal Mediated Reactions and Syntheses’ as part of the organic chemistry division.

Organised by SCI’s Young Chemists' Panel, 'What a Chemist needs to know about Patents' was held on Friday 27 January at Eli Lilly, Windlesham, UK.

The BioResources Group's third annual Young Researchers Conference will be held at the University of Reading on Tuesday 3 July 2012

We look forward to putting our 2012-14 strategy into place, with the support of our members and partners. For more information on the SCI's priority objectives, see the About Us page below.

Getting too many e-mails from us? You may belong to too many technical groups. We'd recommend you limit your choice to just a couple, and one regional group.

SCI and Chemical Industries Association (CIA) members recently joined forces to share views on how to attract and retain talented, enthusiastic young people who will ensure a sustainable future for our sector.

Please tell us what you think of SCI's services

As voted by Members at the 2011 Annual General Meeting, annual membership fees are now £90 for Standard Membership and £25 for Student Membership.

At the Board's annual planning day on 21 September 2011, we reviewed our strategic direction and rolling three-year plan, and realigned our priorities for the future.

SCI's Board of Trustees has decided that SCI should undertake a thorough review of its awards programme. During 2012, we are therefore cutting back the distribution of awards to a minimum until the review is completed.

This 18th Annual Review Symposium organised by the Young Chemists' Panel, will focus on emerging methods in chemical synthesis.

I attended and gave a presentation at the 242nd ACS National Meeting and Exposition in Denver, Colorado. I learned a great deal of organic synthesis, as well as less familiar areas such as polymer and biological chemistry.

When your Board of Trustees last met on 16 November 2011, the key priority was to agree the rolling business plan for 2012-14 and the budget to implement this.

On 17 November at SCI HQ, Professor Subhash Anand, from the University of Bolton, presented a Public Evening Lecture on Nonwoven Fabrics in Healthcare and Medical Devices, where he reminded us that 'life often hangs by a thread'.

SCI is happy to announce the following winners to the poster competition held during the Members' Forum on 29 November. The winners received up to £150 plus books and Wiley discount vouchers.

Water use to grow and process biomass feedstocks for fuels has recently emerged as an important controversy. In a world where several countries already face water stress – and where over 70% of global freshwater use takes place in the agricultural sector – bioenergy development might present considerable challenges, from the perspective of water quantity as well as water quality.

A new book has been published by SCI in collaboration with John Wiley & Sons. Energy and Climate: How to achieve a successful energy transition provides a technological roadmap for a transition which aims to avoid both ecological and economic disasters.

Read the Members' Code of Ethics, which is available online below.

EUREKA runs the Eurostars SME Programme to co-fund R&D and innovation projects in research-intensive SMEs, which have an ambition to develop ground-breaking new products, processes and services for the world market.

Combining international expertise of value to both industry and academia, SCI’s 27th Process Development Symposium is set to be a sell-out event with something for everyone

There have been a number of changes to tenancies at our London Belgrave Square headquarters recently.

Can you think of a fellow member worth their weight in gold? Nominate them to receive the Lampitt Medal or a Distinguished Service Award

Julian Perfect has kindly volunteered to take up the role of Hon Librarian. SCI will continue to seek additional volunteers to support Julian and to help us to ensure continuity.

On 17 November 2011, Prof Subhash Anand delivered an SCI Public Evening Lecture on 'Non-woven fabrics in healthcare and medical devices'

Dame Sue Ion has been a prominent figure in the UK nuclear industry for decades, and is internationally recognised as an expert in nuclear fuels.

Leverhulme Travel Bursar Dixit Parmar sent this report from the 42nd National Organic Symposium held in Princeton, New Jersey in June 2011.

James's school allowed him to indulge his fascination with all things scientific with inspiring science teachers and an astronomy club

James was drawn to the rich diversity of transformations present in organic and organometallic chemistry

We have definitive legal advice on the subject of sending 'unsolicited direct marketing emails' and a few suggestions on how to guard against breach of the legislation are also set out below.

Distinguished Service Awards are presented annually at the Society's AGM. The awards celebrate the hard work and goodwill of longer-serving Members of all component parts of the Society

SCI was represented at the Royal Institution's debate on 24 May 2011 on the topic: Science Careers: has the science establishment let down young researchers? Have your say!

6-12 June 2011 sees the return of the Food Group's popular 'Ask A Food Scientist': your chance to ask an expert any food-related question!

Three top UK scientists were recognised at SCI's International Honours Presentation on 12 November 2009.

Is there a scientific basis for concern over human-induced climate change? This was the subject of the first Public Evening Lecture of 2011, entitled 'The challenge of climate change', given by Sir Brian Hoskins. A soundtrack of the lecture is now available

The College of Scholars was established to help current SCI scholars make the most of the opportunities the SCI scholarships provide

Fionn's research involves the use of transition metal-catalyzed C-H bond functionalization techniques in organic synthesis - specifically the application of iterative metal-catalyzed C-H bond functionalization reactions in the total synthesis of the telomerase inhibitor, dictyodendrin B.

On Thursday, 3 February 2011, over 150 students from universities in Liverpool, Bangor, Manchester and other North West educational establishments came to the Chemistry Department at the University of Manchester, to attend 'Kick-start your career'

On 16 September 2010, SCI hosted a free Public Evening Lecture featuring Fred Pearce, who is currently the environment consultant of New Scientist magazine and a regular contributor to British newspapers.

Prof David Philips presented a lecture on the subject of light - from sun damage to photo-medicine as part of SCI's Public Lecture Series. The overheads can be downloaded here, and you can also listen to audio.

Dr David Tapolczay, CEO of MRCT (the UK Medical Research Council's Technology unit) has 21 years of experience in R&D management; his past roles include joint worldwide head of chemistry for Zeneca agrochemicals and VP of Technology Development for GSK pharmaceuticals.

A profile of the newest members of SCI's governance: Dr Brian Iddon, Professor K Clive Thompson and Dr Roger Gilmour

GM Food was the subject of the third in the SCI's series of public lectures and took place on 2 December 2010.

Dr Geoff Fowler reports

In the six months since Joanne Lyall was appointed Executive Director of SCI, she has launched a new business plan for 2011-13.

Joanne Lyall joined SCI as Executive Director on 21 June 2010

On 9 November 2010, the Membership Advisory Committee held its annual Members' Forum, chaired by Dr Geoff Fowler

SCI members are not impressed with the BBC's coverage of science and think it is neither impartial nor accurate, according to a survey carried out in September 2010.

In this period of substantial public sector cuts the Chancellor has recognised the fundamental role science will play in economic recovery.

Food scientists from the Food Commodities and Ingredients Group answer questions from SCI members and the general public on subjects ranging from cooking and nutrition, to vegetarianism and food safety.

The SCI Fine Chemicals Group held its 21st annual 'Graduate Symposia for Novel Organic Chemistry', in early 2010, giving final year PhD students the opportunity to present their latest research.

Liam's fascination for the sciences was inspired by an enthusiastic secondary school teacher and has developed into a passion for chemistry.

Richardson bursar Adriana Lopes reports from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Richardson bursar Ei Leen Chan reports from the Netherlands

Biological aerosol work wins Beilby Medal

Lisa's research is based around synthesising and characterising novel luminescent platinum complexes, involving cyclometallating N^C^N terdentate ligands

Educationalist Sir David Harrison, SCI member and former chairman of the Awards Committee, talks about his perception of science in education, the media and today’s quality of teaching

REACH is an EU-led initiative to test all chemical substances imported or manufactured in quantities of over one ton in the EU by 2018.

Diane Wood started out as an SCI Member and now works for the Society providing support and customer care.

The global financial crisis has reduced access to credit, combined with a sharp decline in demand for durable goods – both of which have impacted the chemical industry.

SCI, the society established nearly 140 years ago to link science with business in the application of scientific innovation, has recognised three top UK scientists in the International Honours announced on 12 November 2009.

In July 2009, SCI entered into a broader strategic alliance with the American Chemical Society (ACS) to advance chemistry-based knowledge and address global issues of mutual interest and benefit to our members.

SCI provided very valuable resources for my career, Dr Melling tells Members News

More than 50 SCI members attended the Members’ Forum held on Wednesday 25 November 2009

SCI and its publishing partner John Wiley and Sons are launching a new range of books.

SCI’s website now features a poll on the homepage, where users can vote to express their opinions on a variety of issues.

It could be said that this waving, drowning or emerging figure represents the global chemical industry as delegates heard at the SCI Summit, since some companies are suffering badly while others are making the best they can, and others even seeing some improvement.

The Young Chemist in Industry symposium is an annual, one-day meeting, which represents a unique opportunity for younger chemists to showcase their industrial research to an external audience.

Stephanie Burns, CEO and Chairman of Dow Corning and new Honorary President of SCI, talks about her experience leading a corporation where innovation is paramount. She also discusses SCI's role in driving knowledge transference in the chemical industry, CSR initiatives and innovative ideas for the future of SCI involving community engagement and mentoring of young scientists.

Have you ever read a news story based on science that concerns you?

Sue talks about her experiences with teaching science to boys and girls, and particularly about her efforts to encourage girls into the field.

An alliance between SCI, the Society of Dyers and Colourists and the Oil and Colour Chemists’ Association will deliver reciprocal benefits to members of all three organisations

SCI is always happy to welcome new volunteers and members to the Society.

On Thursday 11 and Friday 12 September 2008, SCI ran two ‘workshop and best practice sharing’ events, open to all Treasurers, Secretaries and Chairs of Regional Interest (RIG) and Technical Interest Groups (TIG).

The main aim of SCI is to bring members together and an online forum can help us do this through the web.

The third SCI Members' Forum 2009 took place on 25 November at SCI HQ, London.

On Monday, 28 September 2009, SCI will be hosting a one-day ‘Volunteer Workshop and Best Practice’ day for the Honorary Chairmen, Secretaries and Treasurers of all its UK-based Interest Groups.

Good packaging means safe and effective product delivery, as well as enhancing consumer appeal.

The Food Commodities and Ingredients Group is publishing the results of its 'Ask a Food Scientist' campaign to mark Food Safety Week held in June 2009

SCI's BioResources Group is creating an Early Careers Network for, and run by, younger members studying or researching in universities and industry.

Contemporary Catalysis in Organic Synthesis was held on 29 November 2010 at SCI HQ, London, UK.

Biocatalysis was held on 14 October 2010 at SCI HQ, London.

Introduction to ADMET: Solving Problems Chemically was held on 20 October 2010 at SCI HQ, London.

Clare gained a distinction for her Master of Research degree in Protein and Membrane Chemical Biology, and was awarded the Sir Alan Fersht Prize for producing the best overall thesis.

Organised by SCI’s Young Chemists' Panel of the Fine Chemicals Group, 'Young Chemist in Industry XIX' was held on Tuesday 27 April 2010, SCI HQ, London, UK.

Organised by SCI’s Young Chemists' Panel, 'Key Elements in Organic Synthesis: Recent Advances in p-Block Chemistry' was held on 4 December at SCI HQ, London.

Organised by SCI’s Young Chemists' Panel, 'What a Chemist needs to know about Patents' was held on Friday 29 January at Eli Lilly, Windlesham, UK.

Simon is doing a PhD at Cambridge on the heterogeneous catalysed enantioselective hydrogenation of alkenes under the supervision of Prof Richard Lambert

How is synthetic chemistry applied to solve real world problems? The upcoming one-day event ‘Applied Synthesis’, hosted by the SCI Young Chemists’ Panel aims to demonstrate the power of synthetic chemistry in an applied environment. The event will take place on 21 September 2009 at the Department of Chemistry in University College London.

Lighting a bunsen burner sparked Rekekah's love of chemistry

This one day taught course was held on 17 September 2009 at Syngenta and was organised by SCI's Young Chemists' Panel.

A chemical mystery for children

Heterocycles form the core of many natural products of great interest. They are often motifs in important catalysts, and are increasingly used to prepare polymeric materials with unique properties.

The meeting aimed to showcase the organic chemistry being undertaken in an industrial setting by younger chemists, and represents a unique opportunity for such chemists to present their science to an audience outside their own organisation.

The ADMET meetings highlight the challenges associated with ADMET (absorption, distribution, metabolism, elimination and toxicity) in medicinal chemistry.

Once again members of the Scotland Group committee were flying the SCI flag at the Science and the Parliament event held on Wednesday 5 October 2008 at Our Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh.

My first ambition is to strengthen SCI membership among the 30-45 age group, particularly those working in industry.

The event took place at the Portico Library and Gallery in Mosley Street, central Manchester on Thursday, 15 November 2008

A small but active group, SCI’s Republic of Ireland Group (RoI) organises, and gives, continued support to a wide range of events.

The Annual North of England Young Scientists Research Competition was held at Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) on Tuesday 24 March 2009.

Karen Masters and Andy Kerridge travelled to the delightful surroundings of Burton Manor in Cheshire, UK to attend the Young Scientists Meeting, and take part in the judging of the competition.

Statistics show the numbers of new drugs making it onto the market are in relentless decline, while research and development costs are soaring.

Each year, the undergraduate chemists from the University of Bristol who have ventured into industry to undertake a year-long placement return to their department for the Rothwell Symposium, where they each give a short presentation on their experiences of working in an industrial environment.

The close links between the University of Bristol School of Chemistry and the Bristol and South-West Regional Group are well-established, and one of the major events held throughout the year by the two bodies is the Mike Rothwell Symposium

At the very end of summer 2007, Bristol University held the first in what is hoped to be an annual meeting bringing together industrial and academic chemists working in catalyst design and application.

Sen Lin's Biomaterials PhD project is about Protein adsorption onto tissue engineering scaffolds made of nano-porous bioactive glass.

Moira was awarded the Edgell Sheppe project prize for her work on non-invasive cancer therapy using focused ultrasound