Section News & Happenings

As I write this note for the Crucible, I am somewhat surprised that 2023 and my year of service are coming to a close! I have learned a great deal about ACS, ACS Pittsburgh, and our community in 2023. The year has been so much fun mostly due to all the wonderful people I have met and worked with through ACS Pittsburgh. The year has been amazing, as we hosted two award dinners at the Grand Concourse, hosted live meetings at Jadens in Monroeville (kickoff), at Levity Brewing in Indiana, at the University of Pittsburgh, at the Mount Lebanon
Public Library, and at Waynesburg University (On the Road). Once again, ACS Pittsburgh was active participating at the Carnegie Science Center for National Chemistry Week, sponsoring a Project SEED student, supporting the WCC events, and so much more. All because excellent volunteers are willing to take the time to commit to our community (locally, regionally, &
globally). Thank you to the ACS Pittsburgh Executive Committee and to our volunteers who have made an impact!

Yet there is so much more to do – and I ask you to consider becoming even more involved. Our new Chair Alysia Mandato and Chair-elect Sam Leung are excellent leaders (they have done so much for me this year!) but I know they could use your help to have even more impact! It doesn’t have to be a time sink but every little bit helps. Maybe you could become involved with Project SEED to encourage high school students from diverse identities and socioeconomic backgrounds to engage in the chemical sciences. Maybe it is to volunteer at the Carnegie Science Center during National Chemistry Week. Maybe it is to attend the virtual ACS Pittsburgh Environmental lectures (Thank you Ronghong!). Of course, I hope you will get more involved, even becoming an officer! My service to the Pittsburgh section has been personally rewarding and I hope to work with you in the future as we need active members to keep ACS Pittsburgh moving forward.

Thank You,

Edward P. Zovinka

We are pleased to provide the December 2023 Issue of The Crucible. If you have something you would like included in future issues, please email Sarah Scrivener at [email protected].

Get to Know a Member – Haitao Liu

1. What is your work and ACS (if applicable) title?

ACS: Councilor of ACS Pittsburgh Local Section | Work: Chair and Professor, Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh

2. How many years have you been in the ACS?

13

3. What is the biggest benefit of ACS Membership?

Meeting a lot of fantastic people outside my immediate work circle!

4. What did you want to be when you were a child?

I wanted to be a scientist, for real!!

5. What made you fall in love with Chemistry?

I was a very curious kid. My mom had some chemistry books from work. I read them because there was nothing else to read. Chemistry was fascinating to me because I realized that you can use chemistry to create new and transform materials.

6. What is your favorite part of your career or job?

As a university professor, you are surrounded by young students who are eager to learn. You have the rare opportunity to shape their professional growth.

7. What is your favorite book and why?

“But How Do It Know? – The Basic Principles of Computers for Everyone”- I have a computer science BS degree (in addition to Chemistry BS) but I never truly understood how computer works at the gate/transistor level. I bought this book for my son and end up reading it through myself. I finally understood how computer works and how it is built from transistors.

The 2023 Nominating Committee of the Pittsburgh Section of the American Chemical Society has submitted candidates for the Section Office for 2024. All persons nominated are members of the society and have agreed to serve if elected. Only members of the Pittsburgh Section of the American Chemical Society are eligible to vote. The polls will open November 9, 2023. Please note that all ballots must be received by November 16, 2023 when polls close.

Chair-Elect (vote for 1): Samuel Leung

Secretary-Elect (vote for 1): Ronghong Lin

Directors (vote for up to 2): Heather Juzwa, Kevin Noonan

Councilor (vote for 1): Haitao Liu

Assuming you are a member in good standing, you will receive your ballot electronically. The polls will open on at 8:00 AM on November 9 and close November 16 at 11:59 PM.

For ballot questions, please contact:
Kimberly Woznack
Immediate Past Chair – ACS Pittsburgh Section
[email protected]

Click here to access the candidate biographies.

Get to Know a Member – Mike Mautino

1. What is your work and ACS (if applicable) title?

ACS: Former Pittsburgh Section ACS Councilor (21 years) and Director (3 years), Work: Product Line Manager, Covestro (retired)

2. How many years have you been in the ACS?

Only 26 Years 😊In the fall of 1996 I volunteered to become the Recognition Committee Chair for the newly formed Western Pennsylvania Technician Affiliate Group of the Pittsburgh Section. In 1997 I was granted “National Affiliate” status due membership rules at that time not granting non-degree chemical technicians full membership in the national ACS. It wasn’t until a year later, with the help of former Pittsburgh ACS Councilor Dr. Gordon McCarthy, that I was granted full membership in the society.

3. What is the biggest benefit of ACS Membership?

The ability to develop a local and national network of people working in the chemical enterprise is invaluable. The ability to collaborate and develop professional relationships across the region, and nationally, is so very important in today’s job market.

4. What did you want to be when you were a child?

I thought I wanted to be an architect until I got into college and discovered I couldn’t draw!

5. What made you fall in love with Chemistry?

It was when I first started to work in the bench lab and discovered I had knack for formulating polyurethane rigid insulating foam chemistry.

6. What is your favorite part of your career or job?

My former employer greatly valued and supported my ACS volunteer efforts, allowing me to pursue my interests in promoting the applied chemical technician profession and community outreach at the local and national level.

7. Which chemist, past or present, would you like to meet and why?

My favorite chemist would be Michael Faraday. Faraday started his science career as a chemical technician and went on to have such an impact in multiple science disciplines.

We are pleased to provide the November 2023 Issue of The Crucible. If you have something you would like included in future issues, please email Sarah Scrivener at [email protected].

Join the Pittsburgh WCC for a Happy Hour at 5:30 PM on November 17 at Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen and Bar. We will provide appetizers and snacks. Please RSVP by Monday, November 10 here.

Download the flyer here.

Are you a junior chemist seeking to kickstart your career? Or a mid-career chemist looking for a fresh direction? Don’t miss this opportunity to meet a Pittsburgh Award recipient over a complimentary lunch and gain priceless insights!

• What to Expect:
  • Enjoy a FREE work lunch.
  • Engage with a Pittsburgh Award recipient and connect with 1-2 peers who share your passion.
  • Receive valuable guidance for success in both industry and academia.

• To Schedule Your Lunch: Contact Dr. Haitao Liu at [email protected] with a brief self-introduction and name(s) of the adviser you’d like to meet.
• Availability: Now – end of 2023. Space is limited – first come, first served.

Download the flyer for more information.

The Pittsburgh Section of the ACS is sponsoring a job fair at the University of Pittsburgh on November 10 starting at 9:00 AM. Download the flyer here. Register as an attendee by October 31 using this link.

October 2023 Issue of The Crucible

We are pleased to provide the October 2023 Issue of The Crucible. If you have something you would like included in future issues, please email Sarah Scrivener at [email protected].