Soma Dhakal receives "University Fellowship Award" at Kent State University

Soma N Dhakal, PhD student at the department of chemistry of Kent State University received University Fellowship Award recently for his outstanding performance in graduate research.

University Fellowship award is one of the prestigious awards that is awarded to PhD student by the Graduate School. Scientific publication is one of the main criteria to be qualified for this award. However, other factors like academic standing and leadership are also taken care for most of the fellowship awards. Soma was initially nominated by the Department of Chemistry and finally approved by Graduate School on the basis of the recommendations from graduate coordinator and his advisor. He will be financially supported by the Graduate School for the academic year 2010-2011. 

He has authored and co-authored 3 peer reviewed research journal articles.

NepaChem would like to congratulate Soma jee, best wishes for your future success.

Why did the chicken cross the road? Science Jokes

Scientists have different answers for the same question.

Archimedes
A1 : To actualize its potential.
A2 : She was buoyant and excited at the thought of new adventures.
A3 : Eureka!

Robert Boyle : She had been under too much pressure at home.

Marie Curie : She was radiating with enthusiasm as she crossed the road.

Albert Einstein : Whether the chicken crossed the road or the road moved beneath the chicken depends upon your point of view. The chicken did not cross the road - it transcended it.


Galileo : To get a better look at the stars.

Newton
1) Chickens at rest tend to stay at rest. Chickens in motion tend to cross the road.
2) It was pushed on the road.
3) It was pushed on the road by another chicken, which went away from the road.
4) It was attracted to a chicken on the other side of the road.

Ohm : There was more resistance on this side of the road.

Wolfgang Pauli : There already was a chicken on this side of the road.

 More here

Humboldt Research Fellowship for Postdoctoral Researchers

Submit an application if you are a researcher from abroad with above average qualifications, at the beginning of your academic career and only completed your doctorate in the last four years. A Humboldt Research Fellowship for postdoctoral researchers allows you to carry out a long-term research project (6-24 months) you have selected yourself in cooperation with an academic host you have selected yourself at a research institution in Germany.

Scientists and scholars of all nationalities and disciplines may apply to the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation directly at any time. The Humboldt Foundation grants approximately 600 Humboldt Research Fellowships for postdoctoral researchers and experienced researchers annually. Short-term study visits, participation in congresses and training courses cannot be financed.

Requirements:

1. Doctorate or comparable academic degree (Ph.D., C.Sc. or equivalent), completed less than four years prior to the date of application. Candidates who have nearly completed their doctoral degrees are eligible to apply provided that they submit the manuscript of their dissertation or publications containing the results of their dissertation.
2. Academic publications reviewed according to international standards and printed in journals and/or by publishing houses.
3. Confirmation that research facilities are available and a detailed expert's report by an academic host at a research institution in Germany. Details of the research project and the proposed timetable must be discussed with the prospective host prior to application.
4. Expert references from the doctoral supervisor and other academics qualified to comment on the applicant's eligibility, preferably including reviewers not working at the applicant's own institute.
5. Language skills: scholars in the humanities or social sciences and physicians must have a good knowledge of German if it is necessary to carry out the project successfully; otherwise a good knowledge of English; scientists and engineers must have a good knowledge of German or English.
6. The applicant may not have spent an extended period in Germany prior to application. Applications to continue a research stay already underway can only be considered in exceptional cases. If in doubt, candidates who have been in Germany for more than six months at the time of application should consult the FAQs and check with the Humboldt Foundation (info@avh.de) whether formal requirements have been met before submitting an application.
7. The Humboldt Foundation assumes that candidates will abide by the Rules of Good Scientific Practice and the ethical rules of the 7th EU Framework Programme during the application and sponsorship periods.

More info: http://www.humboldt-foundation.de/web/humboldt-fellowship-postdoc.html

Chemistry of the World Football Cup Trophy

 

FIFA world cup is going to start soon in South Africa. Each and every teams target is to get the trophy. In this post I will write something about the chemistry of the trophy. Chemically this trophy is quite interesting.

The present day trophy was commissioned in 1974 by FIFA. The trophy stands 36.5 cm tall and is made of 5 kg gold. This means that it is hollow inside. Otherwise it would weigh ~ 70-80 kg, considering high density of gold. The gold used in the trophy is not pure gold. Gold is an unusual metal. Pure gold is very soft. If the trophy was made by pure gold, then when the winner holds it would bend. Thats why they used 18 carat (75%) gold. Other metals are mixed with gold to make it stronger.

This trophy is interesting for second point. There are two stripes of green at the base. These are made from a mineral called malachite, which is a copper compound (basic copper carbonate-Cu2CO3(OH)2.)

Whoever wins the trophy, good luck to every team. Enjoy world cup games. Don't forget to watch video above.

ACS Analytical Chemistry Fellowships

• Fellowships for graduate students in analytical chemistry are sponsored by various companies/organizations and are awarded through the ACS Division of Analytical Chemistry. The number of fellowships awarded may vary from year to year, depending on the number of sponsoring companies.
  
  
• The purposes of these Fellowships are to encourage basic research in the field of analytical chemistry, to promote the growth of analytical chemistry in academic institutions and industry, and to provide recognition of future leaders in the field of analytical chemistry.
  
  
• The Graduate Fellowship Committee of the ACS Division of Analytical Chemistry, which evaluates the applications and makes the fellowship awards, is comprised of representatives from the sponsoring companies, analytical faculty from undergraduate institutions and scientists from national laboratories.
  
  
• Both nine-month ($21,000) and summer ($7,000) Fellowships are available. Most applicants apply for both awards unless mitigating circumstances (previous summer commitments, impending completion of degree requirements, etc.) exist.
  
  
• Nine-Month Fellowships ($21,000)
  • These Fellowships provide for nine months of graduate study and research in analytical chemistry at any ACS accredited institution of the appointee's choice.
  • The Fellowship may not be accepted concurrently with any other external fellowship. Because the purpose of the Fellowship is to provide opportunity for research, the holder will not engage in outside work for added compensation during the period of the Fellowship.
  • These stipends are paid in nine monthly installments, beginning either on June 1, July 1, August 1 or September 1 of the year awarded, at the recipient's option. Tuition is not to be paid out of the grant, nor is the university permitted to deduct any administrative costs.
  • It is expected that the Fellow will be engaged in full-time research for the duration of the Fellowship and be in residence at the home institution (except when performing collaborative experiments which are part of the funded project).
  • It is requested that any publications which result from the studies done during the Fellowship period bear the following statement: This work was supported by the American Chemical Society, Division of Analytical Chemistry Fellowship, sponsored by (Company or group name).
  • At the end of the Fellowship period, a brief report of the accomplishments or achievements made by the student should be submitted to the Chair of the Graduate Fellowship Committee and to the sponsor.
    
    
• Summer Fellowships ($7,000)
  • Summer Fellowships provide stipends to support research in analytical chemistry during the summer months.
  • These stipends are paid in three monthly installments beginning on June 1 of the year awarded. The university is encouraged to pay fees and summer tuition when these are required.
  • The acknowledgment and report procedures are the same for summer Fellows as for nine-month Fellows. (See above.)
    
    
• Completed applications are due in early December. The committee members read and evaluate the applications in January and February and meet during PittCon in early March to select the fellowship recipients. Applicants are notified of the results of the Committee's deliberations after the PittCon meeting, in late March or early April.

More info: http://www3.wabash.edu/acsgraduatefellowship/

Environmental Chemistry post-doc position @ University of Illinois at Chicago

Nominations and applications are invited for three (3) Postdoctoral Research Associates in the College of Engineering (CoE) and School of Public Health (SPH) at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). The successful candidates will play key roles in potentially long term, collaborative, exciting and challenging environmental research projects involving aquatic sediments in lakes and rivers. We are looking for self-motivated, energetic, highly responsible professionals with team‐work spirit.

In addition to the Post‐doctoral Associate Positions below, we are also looking for PhD student research
assistants for the same projects. 

Postdoctoral Associate Position #1 ‐ Environmental Organic Chemistry. The Responsibilities include: (1) participating and coordinating environmental sampling activities, (2) developing laboratory procedures and quality control protocols for the analyses of hydrophobic and hydrophilic organic pollutants in sediment samples, (3) carrying out laboratory work and providing analytical results on the concentrations of the analytes in collected sediment samples in a timely manner, (4) supervising PhD or MS level research assistants working on the same project, (5) preparing and maintaining program documents, safe data storage and bookkeeping, and preparing preliminary progress reports. Qualifications includes a PhD degree in Environmental Sciences, Environmental Engineering, Analytical Chemistry, and related fields, with extensive experience in analytical method development for complex environmental samples, including the use of GC/MS and LC/MS. Experience with triple quadruple or time‐of‐fly MS is preferred. Knowledge of MS spectra interpretation as well as computer skills in database management is highly desired. A good record of publications and project management experience are helpful. Compensation includes annual salary of $46,500, plus full fringe benefit. The starting date will be in summer 2010. The initial appointment will be one year, with possible extensions.

For consideration, please email or send a cover letter with a Curriculum Vita and three letters of
recommendation to:

Dr. An Li
Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences (MC‐922)
School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago
2121 West Taylor St., Chicago, IL 60612, USA
Phone: 312‐996‐9597, Fax: 312‐413‐9898, Email: anli@uic.edu

Post‐doctoral Associate Position #2 ‐ Metals analysis. The Responsibilities include sampling and analysis of mercury, methyl Hg, and other metals in aqueous water, wastewater and solids samples; speciation modeling, fate and transport modeling; supervising PhD research assistant(s) working on the same project; assisting the PI in the coordination and management of the project; and preparing and maintaining program documents, safe data storage and bookkeeping. Possibilities exist for utilization of advanced imaging and analytical work at the Advanced Photon Source at the nearby Argonne laboratory, as well as environmental magnetic resonance imaging using a newly acquired MRI system. Qualifications include a PhD degree in Environmental Sciences, Environmental, Chemical or Bio‐Engineering, Analytical Chemistry, and related fields, with extensive experience in chemical analysis in environmental samples. A good record of publications and project management experience are helpful. Compensation will be commensurate with experience. The starting date will be in summer 2010. The initial appointment will be one year, with possible extensions.

Post‐doctoral Associate Position #3 ‐ Microbial population analysis. The Responsibilities include analysis of microbial population dynamics in mercury‐impacted systems using molecular biological techniques; supervising PhD research assistant(s) working on the same project; assisting the PI in the coordination and management of the project; and preparing and maintaining program documents, safe data storage and bookkeeping. Qualifications include a PhD degree in Environmental Microbiology, Environmental Sciences, Environmental, Chemical or Bio‐Engineering, and related fields, with extensive experience in molecular tools such as qPCR, DGGE, tRFLP, etc. A good record of publications is helpful. Compensation will be commensurate with experience. The starting date will be in summer 2010. The initial appointment will be one year, with possible extensions.

For consideration for positions 2 and 3, please email or send a cover letter with a Curriculum Vita and
three letters of recommendation/contact information to the address below.

Dr. Karl J. Rockne
Department of Civil and Materials Engineering
842 West Taylor St., M/C 246
University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 413‐0391; krockne@uic.edu

ACS Organic Division Graduate Fellowships

The Division of Organic Chemistry plans to award the 2010-2011 academic year fellowships for Ph.D. students to be held during their third or fourth year of study. Sponsors of the fellowships awarded for the current academic year are: Amgen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly, the Genentech Foundation, GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Organic Reactions, Inc., Organic Syntheses, Inc., Roche, Sanofi-Aventis, and Schering-Plough Research Institute.

Applicants must meet all of the following criteria: (1) be starting their 3rd or 4th year of Ph. D. studies in Fall 2010, (2) be US citizens or green card holders, and (3) be members of the ACS Division of Organic Chemistry. Applications from women and minorities are especially encouraged.

Applications will consist of:

1. An application form (MS Word) completed by the applicant with details about the applicant's background and training.
2. A short essay on a research area of the candidate's choice and prepared by the candidate. Directions for preparing the essays can be found here.
3. Three letters of recommendation (the Ph. D. advisor's and two others). Letters of reference should comment on the academic record, productivity, and career potential of the applicant.

Submittal process: The student candidate should complete this application form and write the short essay. The candidate's Ph.D. thesis advisor should then submit 1) this application form, 2) the short essay, and 3) their letter of recommendation each as a separate pdf file (pdf file names should include the applicant’s last name as part of the file name) using the Online Submission Form. Please note that the submitter needs to be a Member of the Division of Organic Chemistry to access the Online Submission Form.

The other two letters of recommendation should be sent directly by the other recommenders to sebrown@emory.edu. Please use the title "DOC graduate fellowship –nominee’s name" for all e-mail correspondence related to the nomination.

Evidence of research accomplishment will be an important factor in the selection of the fellowship holders.

All application materials must be received by May 28, 2010. Announcement of the awards will be made in August 2010.

For questions, contact Professor Melanie Sanford (mssanfor@umich.edu; Tel: 734-615-0451).

The fellowship stipend for 2010-2011 is $26,000, which includes $600 for travel to the 2011 National Organic Symposium to present a poster on their work. Each of the fellowships is sponsored by a prominent company, organization or individual endowment. Awardees are selected by an independent committee, and evidence of research accomplishments is an important factor in the selection process.

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The Division of Organic Chemistry congratulates the 2009-10 award winners, gratefully acknowledges the sponsors, and thanks Organic Letters for the opportunity to publish their biographical sketches.

The Division of Organic Chemistry annually awards fellowships to outstanding third and fourth year graduate students in organic chemistry. The program has awarded over 360 fellowships since 1981 (See the comprehensive list of the award winners).

We welcome contacts from companies, individuals and organizations interested in sponsoring annual fellowships or wishing to endow a fellowship. There are always many more deserving applicants than there are fellowships! Please contact Professor Melanie Sanford (mssanfor@umich.edu); Tel: (734) 615-0451) if you would like to sponsor a fellowship.

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Emmanuil Troyansky Fellowship

In 2003, the ACS Division of Organic Chemistry established an endowed fellowship this year in the name of Emmanuil Troyansky. The Troyansky Fellowship is identical to all of the other fellowships in terms of stipend and other features. The only difference is that the funds come from an endowment made by the family rather than from an annual donation of a company.