Upper/Advanced Undergraduate or Graduate Students

Poor indoor air quality poses a significant threat to human health, with various construction products such as paint, furniture, wood flooring and carpets being potential contributors to unhealthy indoor air. These materials often release harmful chemicals into the environment, posing risks to occupants over an extended period after installation. The resultant health issues are diverse and underscore the multifaceted impact on individuals within built environments.

Addressing these risks necessitates a strategic shift towards the utilization of soy and other bio based building materials, which not only enhance indoor air quality but also align with sustainable practices. Biobased materials offer a myriad of advantages, including a reduced carbon footprint, lower volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions, and improved performance compared to their petrochemical-based counterparts. Beyond their environmental benefits, these renewable and low-toxicity materials actively contribute to meeting compliance standards, such as the International Green Construction Code and the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED certification system.

Thrust Areas

Green Chemistry

Nanomaterials & Nano Chemistry

Computational Chemistry

Supramolecular Chemistry

Atmospheric Chemistry

Photocatalysis

Sustainable Cement Production

Organic Synthesis and catalysis

Chemical Biology

Biodegradable Plastics & Polymer Composites

Bio-catalysis & Biomaterials

Biosensors

Biofuels & Biorefining

Computational Modelling and AI in Drug Development

Toxicology & Narcotics

Natural Products and Phytochemicals

Groundwater and Wastewater Remediation

Water Quality and Research

Air quality Monitoring

Agrochemicals & Agro-contaminants

Bioremediation

Green Building Materials

Photovoltaics and Supercapacitors

Environmental Education and Awareness

Hydrogen Energy

Efficient Energy Materials

Nanoelectronics and Battery Research

Sensor and Electrochemical Sensing

Drinking and waste Water chemistry and related Technology

Electrocatalysis

Nano Emulsions, Coatings & Adhesives

Alternative Energy Resources

Sustainable Energy Policies

Drug Designing & Pharmacology

Drug Development and Formulations

Process Development

Sustainable Production & Management in Industries

Advances towards Net Zero

Rain Water Harvesting

Air Quality Monitoring

Symposium:

The GCI is a student organization focused on raising awareness and promoting green chemistry practices within the chemistry community. In partnership with McGill University, we are currently organizing our 9th annual GCI Symposium, “Making Greener Choices: A more sustainable approach to chemistry”, that aims to encourage students to implement more sustainable practices in their research, teaching and careers. 

Our events are designed to connect students, post-doctoral fellows, and faculty members interested in Green Chemistry with current leaders in the field to discuss advances in chemical processes and the future of sustainable research practices.  This year we will be featuring speakers from academia and industry, as well as a student-led panel discussion and a workshop with ACS Green Chemistry Institute. 

Posters:

We will also be hosting a poster session which we encourage your students to submit an abstract for. Abstracts are limited to 200 characters. The inclusion or mention of Green Chemistry elements or aspects is not a prerequisite for the submission of poster abstracts. However, all presenters are invited to look for opportunities to talk about Green Chemistry within the context of their research. Posters from previous conferences are welcome!  

Travel Scholarships:

We are offering travel scholarships to contribute towards the commute and accommodation expenses. The amount awarded will depend on the total estimated expenditure of each attendee.

Speaker Lineup:

Additional Information:

• Free Lunch and Refreshments: Enjoy complimentary meals during the event.
• Interactive Sessions: Engage in discussions and activities to enhance your understanding.

Don’t miss this webinar to learn about the world of certifying soy and other bio-based materials for sustainable product programs. Our speakers will provide you with valuable insights into the certification process and its benefits within the sustainable products market. Discover the intricacies of certification for programs such as:

1. USDA BioPreferred
2. CleanGredients
3. EPA Safer Choice
4. The Sustainable Packaging Coalition’s (SPC’s) CleanPackage
5. ChemFORWARD SAFER
6. GreenScreen
7. Cradle to Cradle

Our expert presenters will break down the essential steps and requirements for obtaining these certifications. They'll demystify each program, guide you through the process, and address common challenges that may arise along the way. Whether you're a manufacturer, producer, or supplier, this webinar is your compass to navigate the certification landscape successfully

The Beyond Benign Team is happy to share that our members will be attending the 2024 Canadian Chemistry Conference and Exhibition in Winnipeg! More information including featured talks is forthcoming. We hope to see you there! See the official conference description, sourced from the CSC 2024 website, quoted in part below:

"...Our conference theme, “The Central Science”, is inspired in part by our recognition that Chemistry touches upon all scientific disciplines, and we hope that scientists studying every aspect of chemistry and its applications will gather to share their knowledge and experiences. Appropriately, Winnipeg is situated near the longitudinal centre of Canada and the geographical centre of North America, thus we will draw scholars, industry experts and early career talents from all directions to enjoy this meeting.

We look forward to welcoming you to CSC 2024 next June!"

Professor David Palmer, Department of Chemistry, University of Saskatchewan
Conference Chair

A one-day Youth Forum will be hosted in Bonn (Germany at the eagerly anticipated Fifth Session of the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM5). Sessions will include four thematic panel presentations, a moderated intergenerational dialogue between youth and key decision-makers, and the official launch of the “Global Youth Declaration on Chemicals and Waste.”

The Youth Forum at ICCM5 will mark a historic moment for the UN and governments to hear directly from children and young people about their needs and priorities for the future of chemicals governance. Young people want to see targeted policies and programmes developed that will specifically address youth/children’s environmental health, rights, and justice in the context of chemical exposures, monitoring and risk assessments. Come join us at the Youth Forum!

Featured Panel

Educational Needs for the Transition to a Green and Sustainable Chemistry Revolution 

11:30AM-12:20PM CET

With Dr. Juliana Vidal, Higher Education Program Manager at Beyond Benign

Official Session Description:

“Remember, please remember reinforcements are on the way – they’re sitting in lecture halls now, venturing into the field for the very first time, writing theses, leading marches, organizing communities, learning to turn passion into progress, potential into power.” – Harrison Ford

With ambition high to complete the final stages of negotiations and deliver a new, effective global chemicals management framework at ICCM5, the imminent focus will soon shift to implementation. How do we couple the goals of SAICM Beyond 2020 with transformations in chemistry education already underway, that will empower current and future chemists with the skills to put sustainability and safety at the center of their work – from research, to industry, to start-up initiatives? Moreover, how can we strengthen the role of academia in capacity-building efforts for chemicals management across countries and regions?

In this session, a panel comprising young professionals/scientists, chemistry students, and representatives of institutions who are building resources and increasing access for students in green chemistry education, will reflect on the challenges and opportunities in educational systems “meeting the moment.”

Event Details

• Who: Youth, Governments, Industry, Scientists
• When: September 25th-29th
• Where:World Conference Center Bonn (WCCB)

This premier conference is convened by the ACS Green Chemistry Institute to advance green chemistry and engineering through scientific exchange, professional development opportunities, and community networking. The conference starts with a day of workshops on Sunday, June 2 and the GC&E Awards Ceremony Dinner on Sunday night. The technical sessions kick off Monday morning. 

The Green Chemistry & Engineering Conference (GC&E) holds around 42 technical sessions covering a wide variety of research areas and industrial applications. This year, the conference explores the forefront of technology with its theme, Artificial Intelligence (AI)-Enabled Green Chemistry.

Chemistry education sessions and workshops are a central part of the conference.

Key Dates:

• Call for Abstracts is open through February 12. 
• Early registration opens February 14 and runs through April 30. 

Beyond Benign Talks:

Teaching Green Chemistry: Systems Thinking, Assessments, and Curricular Design

Use of ChemForward for Chemical hazard evaluation and assessment in academic settings (30 mins) during the Teaching Green Chemistry: Systems Thinking, Assessments, and Curricular Design

8:00am - 5:00opm - June 2, 2024 | Room: Maplewood Room (A&B)

Monica Mame Soma Nyansa, Cynthia Woodbridge

Exploring and championing professional education in Green Chemistry and Toxicology

04:25pm - 04:45pm EDT - June 4, 2024 | Room: Ravinia Ballroom (DEFG) (Crowne Plaza Atlanta Perimeter at Ravinia)
Monica Mame Soma Nyansa, Presenter; Natalie O'Neil; Amy Cannon

Reimagining chemistry education: The green chemistry commitment at Beyond Benign

05:05pm - 07:05pm EDT - June 4, 2024 | Room: Ravinia Ballroom (ABC)

Juliana Vidal, Presenter; Natalie O'Neil; Amy Cannon

Utilizing Drupal and CiviCRM to optimize an open-access database of green chemistry educational materials on the new GCTLC platform

10:15am - 10:35am EDT - June 5, 2024 | Room: Camellia (Crowne Plaza Atlanta Perimeter at Ravinia)

Jonathon Moir, Presenter; Sarah Prescott; Nimrat Obhi; Amy Cannon

Uniting and engaging a diverse, global community of green chemistry educators and practitioners through a virtual open-access platform

10:35am - 10:55am EDT - June 5, 2024 | Room: Camellia (Crowne Plaza Atlanta Perimeter at Ravinia)

Nimrat Obhi, Presenter; Jonathon Moir; Sarah Prescott; Amy Cannon

20th ACS GCI Summer School

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