SVACS

Chemists Celebrate Earth Week 2025 - Glaciers: Hot Topic, Cool Chemistry
2025-04-26 11:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | In-person
Sponsored by Martin Luther King, Jr. Library and Silicon Valley ACS
11:00 am-2:00 pm, King Library, 150 E. San Fernando St., Children’s Room, 1st floor, 150 E San Fernando St, San Jose, CA. Suitable for Kids ages 5-10, Free, Learn more

A FREE, interactive experience for kids of all ages and their families featuring:

Hands-on chemistry activities for kids exploring ice, glaciers and salt water. We will make saltwater rainbows and much more.
Free print copy of “Celebrating Chemistry” the ACS publication for kids.
PRIZES for every child who participates!

No registration required. Learn more | ADA Accommodation Requests
Educational Resources
Download the online version of Celebrating Chemistry in English or Spanish (PDF). Explore more Educational Resources and General Interest Resources related to this year’s CCEW theme.

Illuminating the Biochemical Activity Architecture of the Cell: A Virtual Seminar
2025-04-29 15:00 - 16:00 | Virtual
Jin Zhang, Ph.D., UC San Diego
Sponsored by Southern California Section ACS
April 29 from 3-4pm, Online, Free, Registration required
This presentation is made possible by the LSAC IP Grant.

Abstract
The complexity and specificity of cellular processes require spatial microcompartmentation and dynamic modulation of the underlying biochemical activities, such as dynamic phosphorylation and dephosphorylation catalyzed by specific protein kinases and phosphatases, respectively. We hypothesize that cellular biochemical activities are spatially organized into an “activity architecture” and reorganization and restructuring of this activity architecture lead to disease. In this talk, I will introduce a series of genetically encoded or chemigenetic fluorescent biosensors that we have developed to monitor biochemical events in living cells, and then present a couple of studies where we combine quantitative fluorescence imaging with targeted perturbations as well as biochemical and functional assays to probe the spatiotemporal regulation of cell signaling.
Biography
Dr. Jin Zhang received her Bachelor’s degree from Tsinghua University and her PhD in Chemistry from University of Chicago in 2000. After completing her postdoctoral work in the laboratory of the late Roger Tsien at UC San Diego, she joined the faculty of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in 2003. She was promoted to Professor of Pharmacology in 2013. In 2015 she moved back to UC San Diego and is currently Professor and vice Chair in Department of Pharmacology. Research in her lab focuses on developing enabling technologies to probe the active molecules in their native environment and characterizing how these active molecules change in diseases including cancer. Dr Zhang is a recipient of the Biophysical Society Margaret Oakley Dayhoff Award (2009), NIH Director’s Pioneer Award (2009), John J. Abel Award in Pharmacology (2012), Pfizer Award in Enzyme Chemistry (2012), NCI Outstanding Investigator Award (2015 and 2022), Robert R. Ruffolo Career Achievement Award in Pharmacology (2022), Protein Society Christian B. Anfinsen Award (2022) and Biophysical Society Carolyn Cohen Innovation Award from (2023). She was elected as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 2014, a Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering in 2019 and a Fellow of American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics in 2021. Dr. Zhang also received UC San Diego Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Postdoctoral Scholar Mentoring in 2019 and UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering Outstanding Graduate Student Mentoring Award in 2022. She currently serves on the Scientific Advisory Board for Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, on the External Advisory Board for Biophysics of the Johns Hopkins University and on the Basic Sciences External Advisory Council (BSEAC) of Vanderbilt University.

The Quest for Painstakingly Perfect Painkillers: A Virtual Seminar
2025-05-05 16:00 - 17:00 | Virtual
Prof. Corey R. Hopkins, Ph.D., University of Nebraska Medical Center
Sponsored by Southern California Section ACS
May 5 from 4-5 pm, Online, Free, Registration required
Funded by the Local Section Activities Committee (LSAC) of the American Chemical Society

ABSTRACT
Work in the Hopkins Laboratory centers around the synthesis and optimization of novel chemical tool compounds aimed at tackling unmet medical needs. This talk will cover two projects in my lab: 1. Characterization of novel GIRK1/2 activators for the treatment of neuropathic pain, and 2. The synthesis, optimization and biological characterization of a series of sigma 1 modulators derived from dopamine 4 antagonists and their use in animal models of pain.
GIRK1/2 activators are a class of compounds that can modulate G-protein-coupled inwardly rectifying potassium channels, which are involved in pain signaling pathways. By enhancing GIRK channel activity, these activators have shown potential in reducing pain perception and providing analgesic effects in preclinical animal models. The work presented herein outlines the ongoing structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies centered around a potent, efficacious, and selective positive allosteric modulators (PAM) of the GIRK1/2 channel. Sigma 1 antagonists have gained attention for their potential to modulate pain by blocking the sigma-1 receptor, which is involved in various cellular processes, including pain transmission. Preclinical studies suggest that these antagonists may reduce nociceptive signaling, offering a novel approach to pain management. In the second part, I’ll describe our efforts at the identification of novel dopamine 4 receptor antagonists and how that effort morphed into the discovery of potent and selective sigma 1 modulators.
BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Hopkins is a Professor and Interim Chair in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences in the College of Pharmacy at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and the Director of the newly designated UNMC Center for Drug Design and Innovation (CDDI). Corey completed his doctorate in 2002 at the University of Pittsburgh in the area of natural product total synthesis and he developed a novel ring expansion methodology to make pharmacophore analogs of dnacin. Dr. Hopkins moved to Aventis Pharmaceuticals in 2001 and later became Senior Research Investigator in Medicinal Chemistry. In 2008, Dr. Hopkins served as Associate Director of Medicinal Chemistry for the Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery where he led the chemistry efforts on multiple projects that led to pharmaceutical partnerships and a first-in-class clinical candidates. He is the author of more than 110 peer reviewed articles and an inventor on >25 patents. In addition, he has been named to Stanford/Elsevier’s Top 2% scientist rankings for the past 8 years.
Dr. Hopkins has expertise in medicinal chemistry and drug discovery. Dr. Hopkins’ laboratory focuses on the development of chemical probes to elucidate the mechanisms in therapeutic areas such as pain, Parkinson’s disease and cancer.

Silicon Valley ACS Executive Committee Meeting
2025-05-05 19:00 - 20:30, 2025-06-02 19:00 - 20:30, 2025-07-07 19:00 - 20:30, 2025-08-04 19:00 - 20:30 | Hybrid
Sponsored by the Silicon Valley ACS local section
7:00-8:30 pm, Hybrid Event, Free, Guests welcome: contact Chair to attend

From the Laboratory to the Marketplace: The Development of a New Drug
2025-05-10 10:30 - 12:00 | Virtual
Natalie McClure, Senior Regulatory Affairs and Product Development Consultant
Sponsored by California Section ACS, Women Chemists Committee
10:30 am-Noon, Online, Free, May 10, 2025. Registration required by May 8th at Noon
Download the flyer for this event

Abstract
Drug development requires a delicate balance between innovation, efficacy, safety, and regulatory compliance. This talk will explore the multifaceted process of bringing a new drug from the laboratory to the market, focusing on the critical role of regulatory affairs in ensuring patient safety and product quality. We will examine the key stages of drug development, including pre-clinical studies, clinical trials, and risk-benefit analysis. We will also discuss how to interpret the package insert. We will discuss how drug developers can work with the FDA to bring the new drug to the market.
Speaker Bio
Natalie McClure is a regulatory affairs consultant with extensive experience in drug development, regulatory affairs and quality assurance. She obtained a BS in Chemistry from the University of Michigan in 1974 followed by a PhD in Organic Chemistry from Stanford University in 1979. She started her career at Syntex Research, working in the process development laboratories on new synthetic approaches to prostaglandin and large-scale peptide synthesis and then changed career direction to drug regulatory affairs.
Over the past 40 years, she has worked at several different companies, big and small, as an individual contributor and executive, and helped get over 6 drugs approved for marketing. She has filed more than 50 INDs (Investigational New Drugs), orphan drug applications and conducted many pre-IND meetings with the FDA. Natalie is an instructor at St Mary’s University and the UC Berkeley Extension program offering several courses in drug development and regulatory affairs. Natalie is also very active in the American Chemical Society serving as chair and councilor of the Silicon Valley local section.

Kid Makers: Pop Up Chemistry
2025-05-10 14:00 - 15:00
Sponsored by Silicon Valley ACS & Redwood City Public Library (RCPL)
2:00-3:00 pm, In-person for ages 8-12, RCPL Downtown Location, 1044 Middlefield
Road, Redwood City, Free, Learn more

Young scientists explore different aspects of chemistry! Once a month, join members of Silicon Valley ACS and take part in hands on experiments. For ages 8-12. This program takes place in RCPL’s Makerspace on Saturday, April 12, 2025, from 2:00-3:00 pm. Learn more

Polymers for Capacitors, Transistors, and Fun
2025-05-14 17:00 - 19:00
Dr. Yi Liu, Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley Lab
5:00-7:00 pm, Free, Hybrid: In-person at Stanford Chemistry Department or virtual, Registration required.
Abstract
Polymers with engineered functionalities play a crucial role in electronics and energy applications. Advancing materials discovery in this space requires tailored molecular design and innovative polymer architectures. My recent research focuses on designing molecular and macromolecular systems that either inhibit or facilitate charge transport—key factors in defining a polymer’s insulating or semiconducting properties. In this talk, I will discuss dielectric polymers designed for capacitors operating under extreme electric fields and temperatures, highlighting strategies to enhance their breakdown strength and capacitive energy storage performance. In contrast, for applications such as field-effect transistors, where efficient charge transport is critical, I will present new classes of low-bandgap conjugated polymers enabled by a versatile quinoidal unit. Beyond their electronic applications, the unique reactivity of the quinoidal unit allows for the formation of single-crystalline polymers, opening new avenues in polymer science. Through these examples, I will showcase how molecular design can be leveraged to expand the functionality and versatility of polymers.
Short Bio
Yi Liu is a Senior Staff Scientist and director of the Organic Facility at the Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, USA. He earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry in 2004 from the University of California, Los Angeles. After his postdoctoral research at the Scripps Research Institute, he joined the Molecular Foundry in 2006 as a staff scientist, launching his independent research career. His research interests include design and self-assembly of functional organic and organic-inorganic hybrid framework materials, materials chemistry for organic electronics, and fundamental understanding of the associated electronic processes.

Kid Makers: Pop Up Chemistry
2025-06-14 14:00 - 15:00, 2025-07-12 14:00 - 15:00
Sponsored by Silicon Valley ACS & Redwood City Public Library (RCPL)
2:00-3:00 pm, In-person for ages 8-12, RCPL Downtown Location, 1044 Middlefield
Road, Redwood City, Free, Learn more

Young scientists explore different aspects of chemistry! Once a month, join members of the ACS and take part in hands on experiments. For ages 8-12. This program will take place in the Makerspace.

Silicon Valley Minerals Forum 2025
2025-06-17 08:30 - 18:00
Sponsored by Stanford Mineral-X
8:30 am-6:00 pm, Free, In-person at Simonyi Conference Center, CoDa, 389 Jane Stanford Way, Stanford, CA 94305. Learn more and register

How to Find and Apply for a Position in the Federal Government: ACS Career Pathways Virtual Workshop
2025-06-18 09:00 - 10:30 | Virtual
Sponsored by ACS Careers
9:00-10:30 am, Online, Free, Registration required

Protecting the Formula: The Role of Trade Secrets in Chemical Research
2025-06-18 11:00 - 12:15 | Virtual
Sponsored by ACS Webinars and ACS Chemistry & the Law Division
11:00 am-12:15 pm, Online, Free, Registration required

Mastering Materials Durability for Next-Generation Energy Technologies: Workshop
2025-06-25 - 2025-06-26 | In-person
Sponsored by SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory
Free, In-person at SLAC, Kavli Auditorium, 2575 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, CA, Visitor User ID requirements, Learn more and register by June 19, 2025

Break Into STEM as a CTP: No Bachelor’s Required
2025-06-25 11:00 - 12:00 | Virtual
Sponsored by ACS Webinars and ACS Chemical Technical Professionals Committee
11:00 am-Noon, Online, Free, Registration required

2025 Silicon Valley ACS’ Annual Picnic and Awards
2025-07-06 16:00 - 19:00 | In-Person in Mountain View at Cuesta Park Group BBQ Areas #1-2, 615 Cuesta Drive, Mountain View, CA, United States
Cuesta Park, Group BBQ Areas #1-2, Mountain View, California
4:00-7:00 pm, In-person. $10 regular, children free. Register by July 8, 2025

Different Minds, Shared Goals: Building Supportive Mentoring Relationships for Neurodivergent Students in Grad School
2025-07-09 11:00
Sponsored by ACS Webinars and ACS Chemists with Disabilities Committee
11:00 am-Noon, Online, Free, Registration required

Some Polymers Like It Hot: Tuning Thermal Transport in 2D Polymers and COFs
2025-07-10 11:00 - 12:30 | Virtual
Sponsored by ACS Webinars and ACS Division of Polymer Chemistry
11:00 am-12:30 pm, Online, Free, Registration required

Kid Makers: Pop Up Chemistry
2025-07-12 14:00 - 15:00, 2025-07-19 14:00 - 15:00
Sponsored by Silicon Valley ACS & Redwood City Public Library (RCPL)
2:00-3:00 pm, In-person for ages 8-12, RCPL Downtown Location, 1044 Middlefield
Road, Redwood City, Free, Learn more

2025 Annual BBQ Picnic and Awards Ceremony
2025-07-12 16:00 - 19:00 | In-person
A family-friendly event, please join us for our annual picnic and awards ceremony! Download flyer

Date and Time: July 12, 2025, 4-7pm

4:00-5:00 pm: Wine-tasting with hors d’oevres
5:00 pm: Awards and Recognitions – SVACS Ottenberg Award and celebrating 50-, 60- and 70-year ACS members
Catered by Armadillo Willy’s, dinner will immediately follow Awards & Recognitions

Location: Cuesta Park Group BBQ Areas #1-2, Mountain View, California (view map, get directions)
Registration required by July 8th
Cost: $10.00/person. Children: free. Payment by cash or check at the door. If paying by check, please make it out to “Silicon Valley ACS.”

View the list of Silicon Valley ACS Members with 50+ Years of ACS Membership.

Working for Yourself: Your Idea, Business, and Marketing Strategy: ACS Careers Pathway Virtual Workshop
2025-07-16 09:00 - 10:30 | Virtual

How to use AI to Supercharge your Research and Communication
2025-07-17 11:00 - 12:30 | Virtual
Sponsored by ACS Webinars and ACS Committee on Public Relations and Communications
11:00 am-12:15 pm, Online, Free, Registration required

Glassy Gels via Ionic Liquids
2025-07-17 17:00 - 18:00 | Virtual
Prof. Michael D. Dickey, North Carolina State University
Webinar sponsored by the Golden Gate Polymer Forum
5:00-6:00 pm, Online, Free/$5 donation, Register by July 15 at 1:00 pm

ACS Western Regional Meeting Deadline for Submitting Abstracts
2025-07-21
Learn more

Working Worlds Apart: How to be Successful on Global Teams
2025-07-31 08:00 - 21:30 | Virtual
Sponsored by ACS Webinars and ACS Industry Member Programs
8:00-9:15 am, Online, Free, Registration required

ACS Fall 2025 National Meeting
2025-08-16 - 2025-08-21 | Hybrid
ACS Fall 2025
August 17 – 21
Washington, DC and Online
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ACS Fall 2025 National Meeting
2025-08-17 - 2025-08-21
Washington DC and Online, Learn more
