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The Puget Sound Chemist
Please read below for the most recent news and events of the ACS Puget Sound Section.
Please see our PS Chemist Blog page for these and previous posts in The Puget Sound Chemist.
2026 Linus Pauling Medal Nominations Open
The American Chemical Society Portland, Puget Sound, and Oregon Local Sections together are accepting nominations for the 2026 Linus Pauling Medal Award until May 1, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. (PDT). These local sections jointly present the award annually to acknowledge outstanding contributions to chemistry that merit national and international recognition—in the spirit of and in honor of Linus Pauling, who grew up in the Pacific Northwest. They will present the medal at a symposium in the fall of 2026 in the Portland area. Nominations of women and other people from historically marginalized groups are especially welcome. Submit nominations as PDF…
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Distinguished Educator, Author, and Mentor
The Puget Sound Section of the American Chemical Society is deeply saddened to share the passing of Dr. George S. Kriz, Jr., longtime member, mentor, and professor of chemistry at Western Washington University. George passed away on July 8, 2025 at the age of 85 in Bellingham, Washington. A native of Santa Cruz, California, George earned his B.S. in Chemistry from UC Berkeley and his Ph.D. from Indiana University, followed by postdoctoral studies at The Ohio State University and the University of Montpellier. He joined the faculty at Western Washington University, where he spent his entire career inspiring generations of students and colleagues. George served as a Councilor for…
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ACS PSS Fall 2025 Election Results
The results of our fall election are in! Thank you to all ACS members who voted, and congratulations to the newly elected officers and re-elected ongoing officers whose terms will begin on the ACS PSS Executive Committee in January 2026. Chair-elect (proceeds to Chair in 2027 and then Past-Chair for an overall three-year term): Sam Lohse, Ph.D., Central Washington University Treasurer (Two-year term): Kerry Fowler, Ph.D. Councilor Position Three (Three-year term): Craig Fryhle, Ph.D., Pacific Lutheran University Alternate Councilor Position Three (Three-year term): Dean Waldow, Ph.D., Pacific Lutheran University And welcome to Steven Emory, Ph.D. Western Washington University, who proceeds…
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Book Discussion
Book Discussion: The next book is New Prize for These Eyes by Juan Williams. The group will meet virtually to discuss the book on December 9, 2025. Details will be posted at the website and in upcoming newsletters as information becomes available.
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22nd Annual Careers in Chemistry for Undergraduates – February 18th, 2026
Mark you calendars for the 22nd Annual Careers in Chemistry for Undergraduates! The event will be held on February 18th, 2026, from1-5 PM at the US-EPA Region 10 Laboratory (7411 Beach Dr E, Port Orchard, WA 98366) Deadline for registration is February 4th, 2026 (or until spaces fill up, whichever comes first). Registration information is below. Download a flyer. Keynote Speaker: Dr. Mark Jankowski|“The environmental and toxicological challenge of 6PPD and6PPD-quinone ” The event includes a Career Panel & tour of the EPA Laboratory Free and open to all. Limited to first 40 registered participants. Recommended for all undergraduate science…
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Pacific Lutheran University to Host the 2026 ACS PSS Undergraduate Research Symposium
The 2026 ACS Puget Sound Section Undergraduate Research Symposium will be hosted by Pacific Lutheran University (PLU, Tacoma, WA) on Saturday April 25th. Please visit the ACS PSS Undergraduate Research Symposium Web Page for further information as details become available. Thank you in advance to our colleagues at PLU for hosting this key event of the ACS PSS in 2026.
Read the full post with active links here.Scholarship, Grant, and Award Opportunities for Students
The Education Committee of the ACS Puget Sound Section is pleased to manage a number of scholarship, grant, and award opportunities for students in our section, including a new scholarship available for historically underrepresented students. Detailed information is at the Education Committee website, including the application forms, deadlines, and answers to FAQs. Student applicants must be enrolled in an institution within the ACS Puget Sound Section (please see this link for a list). Please feel free to distribute this information far and wide. For any questions, please contact:Jennie MayerACS Puget Sound SectionEducation Committee Chairjmayer@bellevuecollege.edu
Read the full post with active links here.Postings of Chemistry-Related Employment and Internships
Please see our Employment page for chemistry-related employment or internships. Please use this form to submit information that you would like us to consider for posting. The ACS PSS will post the title of the position and the organization’s URL at which an applicant can find further information. We will endeavor to update this page near the beginning of each month, using information that we have received during that month or the month prior. Information will remain posted for about two months from the date of submission. This is a volunteer service and we will do our best to maintain it.
Read the full post with active links here.You Can Help Create Additional Scholarship Opportunities
Over the past 11 years, the Puget Sound Section has awarded fifty scholarships to students interested in chemistry. The funds come from the annual section budget, and we now hope to expand our scholarships to award additional scholarships to diverse students. We have received a $850 challenge grant from the ACS, and Executive Committee members have pledged $850 in matching funds. If we can raise $2150, we can award two additional scholarships to help historically underrepresented minority chemistry students*pursue undergraduate degrees. For each $1500 received, we will award an additional scholarship! Students may use the funds for tuition, lab fees,…
Read the full post with active links here.Our PS Chemist Blog page carries an ongoing record of Puget Sound Chemist postings, including those that are currently featured on our homepage.
Archived issues of the Puget Sound Chemist from January 2014 through May 2022 can be found here.
An historical archive of The Puget Sound Chemist dating back to the 1940s can be accessed through the University of Washington Library at this link. Many thanks to our UW library colleagues for preparing the historical archive.
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Other News
ACS Spring 2026
Atlanta, GA
March 22-26
Registration Opens December 2025
More Information about our scholarships is at our Education Committee Page and here.
ACS Fall 2025
Washington, D.C.
August 17-21
for ACS members
Past Events
Professor Princess Imoukhuede, Hunter and Dorothy Simpson Endowed Professor and Chair of Bioengineering at the University of Washington, presented Shaping the Future Through Science: A Personal Story of Innovation, Education, and Community Building
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