Upper/Advanced Undergraduate or Graduate Students

In this webinar, Hanover Research will present our newly released asset, "Top Career Skills for New Grads in 2024," as well as proven best practices in higher education in order to think strategically about aligning to workforce needs. Additionally, during this webinar, higher education leaders highly skilled in working with workforce alignment strategies will present on their own institution’s goals and plans; and provide insight into how other institutions are thinking about the topic. Federal, state, and provincial governments around the world are increasingly demanding that colleges and universities demonstrate workforce outcomes from their students. Meanwhile, employers often report a misalignment between the skills needed in their employees and what graduates possess. To promote the success of graduates, many institutions are eager to improve their workforce alignment strategies. You won’t want to miss this all of the good stuff that will be presented during this webinar. 

Speakers: 

• Dr. JoAnn Lighty - Dean of the College of Engineering, Boise State University (ID)
• Dr. Lewatis McNeal - Vice Provost for Regional Higher Education and Partnerships, Ohio University (OH)
• Dr. Michael Rodgers - Higher Education Senior Research Advisor, Hanover Research

Registration closes Monday, July 15, 2024

On the territories of the lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ First Nations of the Pacific Northwest, the trees are deep in conversation and negotiation via mycelial networks. The salmon return to make the stream bed fresh and cool for the next generation, while coastal nurseries provide a place to rest where old meets new and salty meets sweet.

Join us for a week to observe and explore how Nature creates the richness and complexity of life through chemistry. Adventure through the ecotones to learn the ways in which Nature operates at the molecular scale to communicate, assemble/ disassemble, purify, clean, colorize, protect, detect, repair, and a host of other functionalities that parallel those needed in commerce.  

Tune your senses through exploration, experience, and experts to understand the critical ways in which Nature’s chemistry differs from modern commercial chemistries to achieve the same functional end, and how this learning can broaden and benefit your approach to Nature-positive R&D.

The fields of chemistry and biomimicry will converge to explore the profound lessons nature offers for shaping a world characterized by high-performing chemistry strategies and materials that benefit the people and places in which they are made, used, and managed. Sip tea and watch the eelgrass sway while you practice Biomimicry Thinking with Nature’s recipes and methods.

While the content is designed with the non-chemist in mind, chemistry professionals will gain valuable insights into Nature’s life-friendly chemistry principles and hands-on training using the biomimicry research methodology.

Throughout this workshop, our world-renowned biomimicry instructors will teach participants to: 

• Recognize the roles chemistry plays in the natural world and their relevance to the roles chemistry plays in commerce and industry,
• Distinguish between biotic and abiotic chemistries in the natural world,
• Discover the principles underlying Nature’s elegant and sophisticated life-friendly chemistries,
• Understand the principles underlying Nature’s multifunctional, life-friendly chemistry-based materials,
• Use Biomimicry Thinking tools to abstract chemistry design principles and deep patterns from specific, function-based natural strategies, and
• Apply Biomimicry Thinking tools to solve a chemistry-related challenge.

This workshop is open to professional and university-level participants from all backgrounds and levels of experience with biomimicry. The agenda is designed for:

• Innovators within commercial sectors touched by chemistry, such as chemicals, cosmetics, packaging, textiles, electronics, personal care, medical, and energy, who are interested in bringing Nature’s Chemistry and materials genius to their project work and innovation strategies through Biomimicry Thinking.
• Innovators without chemistry training who are interested in gaining the knowledge that would allow them to be productive partners alongside professional chemists as they work to bring Nature’s Chemistry and materials genius to their project work and innovation strategies.
• Sustainability champions who want to be inspired by the natural world at the molecular scale as they work to solve humanity’s toughest sustainability challenges.
• Educators who want to bring Nature’s Chemistry and materials genius into the classroom.
• Students enrolled in the Graduate Certificate in Biomimicry program with Arizona State University interested in the Biomimicry Specialist Certification. This Immersion Workshop counts as one of two required in-person units. Learn more about the requirements for the Biomimicry Specialist Certification here.

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