What Next for Open Access? Open Science Essentials
2025-11-04 08:00 - 09:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Virtual
Sponsored by ACS Publications
8:00-9:00 am, Online, Free, Learn more and register

Applications of New Z-Polymers Filament and Fiber (Tullomer)
2025-11-04 17:00 - 19:00 | Virtual
Dr. Mike Zimmerman, CEO-Founder of Z-Polymers, Founder of iQLP Incubation Lab;
Professor of Practice, Mechanical Engineering, Tufts University
Sponsored by Golden Gate Polymer Forum (GGPF)
Details TBA, see https://ggpf.org/

Mini-Chemical MBA: Corporate Structures & Corporate Fundraising
2025-11-05 11:00 - 12:30 | Virtual
Sponsored by ACS Webinars and ACS Small Chemical Businesses Division
11:00 am-12:30 pm, Online, Free, Registration required

ACS Virtual Office Hours: Finding and Securing an Internship
2025-11-06 09:00 - 22:30 | Virtual
Sponsored by ACS Careers
9:00-10:30 am, Online, Free, Registration required

Mapping Heavy Metal Contamination in Chicago’s Neighborhoods
2025-11-08 10:30 - 12:30 | Virtual
Assoc. Prof. Shelby Hatch, Northwestern University
Sponsored by California Section ACS, Women Chemists Committee
10:30 am-12:30 pm, Online, Free, Registration required | Download flyer

Please register before Thursday, November 6, 2025, 12 noon. Your email address is needed to send the ZOOM link, which will be shared with attendees on or before the day of the event.
Questions? Please contact Elaine Yamaguchi at eyamaguchi08@gmail.com
Abstract:
For over two decades, I have partnered with undergraduate students, environmental justice organizations, Chicago Public School (CPS) teachers and their students, and faculty from various Chicago universities to study heavy metal contamination across the city of Chicago. Projects have ranged from examining contamination caused by particular industries – including the now-shuttered Crawford and Fisk coal-fired power plants – to exploring specific neighborhoods with differing demographics, to zooming in on areas where students live and go to school. Despite this, when we took a comprehensive view of our data, we realized that there were areas of the city where we had never collected even one sample. As a result, we set a goal to collect samples from all 77 community areas in Chicago to aid in answering the broad research question: to what extent is heavy metal contamination in our city correlated with socio-economic, racial, and ethnic demographics?
In this talk, I will discuss our research methods (analytical chemistry, ICP spectroscopy, and geospatial analysis), the collaborative, participatory, nature of the work, and how it is shared publicly, particularly with those most affected, through StoryMaps.
About the Speaker:
Shelby Hatch (she/her) is a scientist focused on the intersections of chemistry, sustainability, and social justice. Shelby is a Weinberg College Adviser and an Associate Professor of Instruction in the Department of Chemistry at Northwestern University. Her research incorporates environmental justice and Youth Participatory Science (YPS), which centers and involves students in the entire research process, from creation of a hypothesis through disseminating results once data has been collected and analyzed. Shelby’s primary research focus is on the distribution of heavy metal contamination in Chicago in relation to where low socio-economic status and communities of color are located. She enjoys teaching undergraduate chemistry courses that incorporate sustainability and environmental justice into the curriculum. Shelby is also very passionate about teaching in the Northwestern Prison Education Program (NPEP). She developed a course and compiled an open educational resource textbook for her NPEP chemistry courses and has taught several cohorts of incarcerated men and women through NPEP. Shelby developed a “Chemistry of…” series in collaboration with the Illinois Science Council (ISC) and local Chicago businesses to give adults hands-on opportunities in learning the chemistry of coffee, chocolate, and more! She received her BA from The College of Wooster and her PhD from the University of Rochester.

Kid Makers: Pop Up Chemistry
2025-11-08 14:00 - 15:00, 2025-11-13 14:00 - 15:00 | In-person (Redwood City Public Library-Downtown Library), 1044 Middlefield Road, Redwood City, CA, 94063, United States
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

Strategies for Visually Accessible Science Communication
2025-11-13 11:00 - 12:00 | Virtual
Sponsored by ACS Webinars and ACS Office of Inclusion and Belonging
11:00 am-Noon, Online, Free, Registration required

Citations That Save Lives: The Power of Publishing Safety Research
2025-11-20 11:00 - 12:15 | Virtual
Sponsored by ACS Webinars and ACS Publications
11:00 am-12:15 pm, Online, Free, Registration required

2YC CHAS Chat: You are Now in Charge of Safety, Now What?
2025-11-20 13:00 - 14:00 | Virtual
Sponsored by the ACS Chemical Health & Safety Division
1:00-2:00 pm, Online, Free, Registration required

Catalytic Adventures in an X-ray Playground
2025-11-20 19:00 - 20:00 | In-person
Adam Hoffman, Staff Scientist, SSRL
Sponsored by SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory
7:00-8:00 pm, In-person, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Kavli Auditorium, 2575 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025, Free, Registration required

New Therapies for a World Without HIV
2025-12-01 10:00 - 11:15 | Virtual
Sponsored by ACS Webinars, Science History Institute, and ACS Publications
10:00 am-11:15 am, Online, Free, Registration required

Silicon Valley ACS Executive Committee Meeting
2025-12-01 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-12-01 19:00 - 20:30, 2026-01-05 19:00 - 20:30, 2026-02-02 19:00 - 20:00 | Hybrid
Sponsored by the Silicon Valley ACS local section
7:00-8:30 pm, Hybrid Event, Free, Guests welcome: contact Chair to attend

Kid Makers: Pop Up Chemistry
2025-12-13 14:00 - 15:00 | In-person (Redwood City Public Library-Downtown Library), 1044 Middlefield Road, Redwood City, CA, 94063, United States
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.

Pacifichem 2025 - The International Chemical Congress of Pacific Basin Societies
2025-12-15 - 2025-12-20 | In-person
Honolulu, Hawaii, In-person, Learn more
The 2025 International Chemical Congress of Pacific Basin Societies will be held 15-20 December 2025. Pacifichem 2025 will be the ninth in the series of successful cosponsored scientific conferences of Pacific Basin Chemical Societies. Founded in 1984, these conferences have been held in Honolulu, Hawaii about every five years.

Making the Most of Your Interview: Outshine the Competition (ACS Career Pathways Virtual Workshop)
2025-12-17 09:00 - 10:30 | Virtual
Sponsored by ACS Careers
9:00-10:30 AM, Free, Online, Registration required

This virtual live, 90-minute workshop prepares participants to take on different question types often encountered in interviews. Participants will practice answering these types of questions as well as formulating your own questions for your interviewer.
After completing this workshop, participants will be able to:

Identify and answer behavioral-based interview questions
Anticipate and answer difficult interview questions
Prepare insightful questions to ask

The first hour of the workshop will feature a presentation by an ACS Career Consultant, while the last 30 minutes will be a dedicated Q&A session between participants and the facilitator.

ACS Virtual Office Hours: LinkedIn Profiles for Chemists
2026-01-08 09:00 - 10:30 | Virtual
During this free virtual career guidance session, ACS Certified Career Consultant Katie Leach will provide invaluable insights on optimizing your LinkedIn profile. Discover strategies to attract new career opportunities in the chemical sciences and set yourself apart from the competition.
What You Will Learn:

Tips and tricks for creating an impactful LinkedIn profile tailored specifically for chemists.
How to utilize LinkedIn to expand your professional network and attract the attention of potential employers.

The first half of the workshop will feature a presentation by an ACS Career Consultant, while the last half will allow participants the opportunity to ask questions and network in small breakout groups led by ACS Career Consultants.

Finding Your Path: Evaluating and Introducing Yourself
2026-01-21 09:00 - 10:30 | Virtual
This virtual live, 90-minute workshop will answer common questions and provide expert insight about charting your career path, creating a professional development plan, and networking yourself to potential employers.
After completing this workshop, you will be able to:
• Identify and describe your values and strengths in terms of employability
• Describe the purpose of networking.
• Apply questioning strategies to explore career paths and career opportunities.
The presentation will be followed by the opportunity for attendees to network in small groups led by ACS Career Consultants and receive personalized career advice.

Organic Origins: The Chemistry Hidden in an Asteroid
2026-01-22 11:00 - 12:30 | Virtual
Sponsored by ACS Webinars and ACS PHYS Astrochemistry Subdivision
11:00 am-12:15 pm, Online, Free, Registration required

“In a stunning feat of precision and chemistry-driven exploration, NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission intercepted a speeding asteroid more than 200 million miles from Earth, collected samples from its surface, and returned them home, making history as the first U.S. mission ever to do so.

Join Scott Sandford of the NASA Ames Research Center as he tells the fantastic true story of the mission to the Asteroid Bennu and how it brought the oldest chemical record in the Solar System. Register now to learn about the striking discoveries including Asteroid Bennu’s samples which contain a rich and diverse array of organic compounds, potentially unlocking molecular clues to how planets and life began.
This ACS Webinar is moderated by Michel Nuevo of the NASA Ames Research Center and coproduced with the ACS PHYS Astrochemistry Subdivision.”

What You Will Learn

The OSIRIS-REx mission to Asteroid Bennu: its design, flight, sample collection, and successful return to Earth
The discovery and characterization of the complex population of organic materials found
Insights from the pristine samples that reveal the chemistry of our early Solar System

Event Details

Thursday, January 22, 2026 @ 2-3:15pm ET
Free to attend
Slides will be available on day of the webinar

Co-Produced With

ACS PHYS Astrochemistry Subdivision

Diagnose, Adjust, Advance: Job Search Strategies for Scientists
2026-01-29 11:00 - 12:00 | Virtual
The current job market can make even the most qualified candidates find their carefully planned career paths disrupted by unexpected variables. For scientists and technical professionals, the job search can feel less like a linear process and more like an experiment that refuses to behave as expected.
Join Patricia Simpson of the School of Chemical Sciences at the University of Illinois as she diagnoses setbacks in the job search the way you would troubleshoot an unexpected reaction by identifying new variables, adjusting conditions, and intentionally refining your approach. Register now to discover tips for refining your application materials, expanding your search into adjacent roles, leveraging your technical strengths, and building momentum even when conditions feel unpredictable. Whether you’re early in your career or facing an unexpected detour, this webinar will equip you with tools to regain momentum and move toward your next opportunity with confidence.

What You Will Learn

How to strengthen your application materials so they communicate your value clearly and stand out to the recruiting team in competitive conditions
How to broaden your search into adjacent or related roles while also expanding where and how you look to uncover pathways you may not have considered
How to leverage your technical strengths effectively, translating them into language and stories that resonate with employers

Plastics Know No Bounds: Engineering Polymers for Satellites in Outer Space
2026-02-04 14:00 - 15:00 | Virtual
Prof. Timothy E. Long, Professor & Biodesign SM3 Center Director, School of Molecular Sciences Arizona State University
Sponsored by Golden Gate Polymer Forum
Feb. 4th, 2 pm, Online, Free/$5 donation, Registration required by Feb. 3rd at 1 pm

Abstract
There are nearly 15,000 active and inactive satellites orbiting in low earth orbit (LEO) today and the total number continues to grow exponentially; most of these high-performance polymer-containing space structures were launched only in the past five years.1 Satellites enable many critical activities on Earth from GPS navigation and global communication to weather forecasting and military operations. Satellites make the world a smaller place, however, now is the time to impose lenses of sustainability and resiliency. Their outer space performance demands polymeric compositions that resist harsh environments from radiation and atomic oxygen exposure to extreme temperature changes and reactive particle impact. All aromatic polyimides, poly(arylene ether ketones), polyarylates, various fluorinated polymers, and their corresponding composites collectively provide this exquisite performance. Furthermore, engineering polymers replace heavier metallic structures to minimize energy consumption, enable precision form factors, and ensure a metal-free safer demise upon atmospheric reentry, e.g., aromatic polymers convert to carbon at high temperatures. Our research has focused on the printing of high-performance engineering polymers whose thermal, rheological, and chemical characteristics generally complicate legacy processing modalities; however, 3D printing micron-scale precursors allows polymerization in the printed structure with process intensification. Aromatic polyimides and polyethers offer exceptional thermal, chemical, flame, and radiation resistance for many emerging transportation, electronic, and aerospace applications. Printed aromatic polyimides enable conversion to carbonaceous objects upon pyrolysis as confirmed with various measurements. The lecture will conclude with the potential for solvent-free polyimide ionic liquid precursors, thus envisioning a light-driven polyimide manufacturing process for outer space.
1. Outer Space Objects Index, United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA).
Speaker Background
Tim received his Ph.D. in Chemistry from Virginia Tech, and he subsequently joined both Eastman Kodak and Eastman Chemical companies for eight years upon graduation. He joined the faculty in the Department of Chemistry at Virginia Tech, where he also served as the Director of the Macromolecules Innovation Institute until 2019. In 2020, Prof. Long accepted an interdisciplinary faculty position across the School of Molecular Sciences (SMS) and the School for Engineering Matter, Transport, and Energy (SEMTE) at Arizona State University (ASU) where he launched and now leads the Biodesign Center for Sustainable Macromolecular Materials and Manufacturing (BCSM3). In addition to over 450 peer-reviewed publications, his research awards include the 2023 3M Excellence in Adhesion Award, 2022 Paul J Flory Award, 2020 Virginia Outstanding Faculty Award, 2015 Virginia Scientist of the Year, 2010 Virginia Tech Alumni Research Award, ACS PMSE Collaborative Research Award, PSTC Carl Dahlquist Award, 2019 ACS Rubber Division Thermoplastic Elastomer Award, and the ACS POLY Mark Scholar Award. His most recent research efforts address the need for tailored advanced macromolecules for advanced manufacturing (3D printing), including vat photopolymerization, direct ink write, binder jetting, powder bed fusion, and melt extrusion. His research ranges from controlled polymerization processes for block copolymers to high performance engineering polymers for emerging technology with a lens of earth sustainability.

ACS Virtual Office Hours: Skydiving into Retirement
2026-02-05 09:00 - 10:30 | Virtual
Led by a certified ACS Career Consultant Bill Carroll, this presentation will examine and provide guidance on how to manage the mental and physical transition of retirement.
After attending this session, you will be able to:
• Make the most of your roughly 2,000 hours of annual ‘free time’ you gain in retirement
• Avoid common retirement pitfalls such as a loss of feeling of identity and purpose
• Proactively plan to engage in meaningful and purposeful activities
The presentation will be followed by the opportunity for attendees to network in small groups led by ACS Career Consultants and receive personalized career advice.

Reading the Circuits: What Global Data Reveals About Microelectronics Innovation
2026-02-05 11:00 - 12:30 | Virtual
Microelectronics can be found at the core of nearly every modern breakthrough from artificial intelligence to renewable energy, and the research landscape is evolving at unprecedented speed. Knowing which materials and technologies are gaining momentum, and where microelectronics research is headed next, is essential for anticipating opportunity and staying competitive in a rapidly shifting market.
Join a panel of experts as they reveal insights from a global analysis of scientific literature and patents using CAS’s comprehensive databases and advanced NLP techniques. Register now to learn which companies and institutions are leading innovation and discover what emerging topics will be shaping the future including the materials that will advance device performance.
This ACS Webinar is co-produced with CAS, a division of the American Chemical Society.

What You Will Learn

How global research and patent trends reveal the innovation leaders and emerging players in microelectronics
Key emerging topics identified through NLP analysis and what they mean for future technologies
Next-generation materials (such as MXenes, 2D materials, hybrid perovskites, and smart polymers) and their potential applications (semiconductors, substrates, TENGs, memristors, solar cells)

Event Details

Thursday, February 5, 2026 @ 2-3:30pm ET
Free to attend
Slides will be available on day of the webinar

Co-Produced With

CAS, a division of the American Chemical Society

The Chemistry of Romance, Flavor, and Drink: Roses, Chocolate, and Wine
2026-02-06 10:00 - 11:15 | Virtual
What do roses, chocolate, and wine make you think of…elegance, romance, or indulgence? Think again. It’s chemistry!

From the precision of fermentation to the artistry of distillation, each of these iconic pleasures is the product of centuries of molecular insight, technical refinement, and scientific mastery. Join master flavorist Sam Tharpe, essential-oil expert Kim Bleimann, and chocolate and wine pairing guide, Jim St. John as they reveal the hidden molecular architectures that shape aroma, flavor, and sensory experience. Discover the science that makes these timeless favorites possible just in time to impress your loved ones for Valentine’s Day.
This ACS Webinar is moderated Keith D. Wing and co-produced with the Science History Institute.

What You Will Learn

How 60,000 roses become an ounce of rose oil
How a handful of cacao beans become a Hershey bar
What are the molecules that make them so appealing to us all

Event Details

Friday, February 6, 2026 @ 1-2:15pm ET
Free to attend
Slides will be available on day of the webinar

Co-Produced With

Science History Institute

Global Women's Breakfast 2026: Many Voices, One Science
2026-02-10 17:00 - 18:00 | Virtual
On 11 February 2025, the IUPAC GWB2025 connected 449 events in 78 countries. Held in conjunction with the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, the goal of “The Breakfast” is to establish an active network of people to overcome the barriers to gender equality in science. Over the last seven years, nearly 2500 GWB have been held in 100 countries. GWB2026 is coming on February 10, 2026. Learn more
Cal ACS will host an online networking event at 5 PM on Tuesday evening, February 10th, followed by an in-person networking event at the Emeryville Public Market starting at 6:30 PM. Stay tuned for registration details.

Finding Your Path: Introduction to Careers in Chemistry
2026-02-18 09:00 - 10:30 | Virtual
In this live, 90-minute virtual workshop, participants will learn how to analyze the four key job sectors and evaluate which sector best matches their skill set.
The presentation will provide you with:
• Insight into the four primary job sectors in chemistry – academia, government, industry, and entrepreneurial
• Information on the latest employment trends and data
• A framework to help identify the sector best suited to your strengths and interests
The first hour of the workshop will feature a presentation by an ACS Career Consultant, while the last 30 minutes will be a dedicated Q&A session between participants and the facilitator.

ORCID 101: The ORCID iD and Record
2026-02-18 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
Are you applying for a grant? Submitting a manuscript for publication? Want to make your professional activities and contributions visible? With research organizations increasingly requiring and using ORCID, knowing how to get and use your free ORCID iD and ORCID record will help you save time and get recognition for your work and contributions.
In this webinar, we will cover:

What is ORCID and the Benefits of ORCID for Users
How to populate your ORCID record
How to keep your ORCID record up-to-date

No prior experience with ORCID necessary. The session recording will be sent to all who register. See you there!
Learn more about ORCiD: https://guides.library.stanford.edu/orcid
