A noted researcher in nanomedicine — preventing, diagnosing and treating disease with particles so small that thousands fit across the width of a human hair — will deliver the inaugural presentation in "The Kavli Foundation Emerging Leader in Chemistry Lecture" at the next National Meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS).
ACS, the world's largest scientific society, announced today that Christy L. Haynes, Ph.D., will deliver the lecture at its 245th ACS National Meeting & Exposition in New Orleans. Haynes is an associate professor of chemistry at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. The meeting, April 7-11, 2013, has the theme "Chemistry of Energy and Food," and is expected to attract more than 10,000 scientists and others.
Haynes' lecture will include the latest findings from her lab on how nanoscale materials interact with both the human body and the environment. Other areas of research in the Haynes lab include measurement from single platelets (the blood components responsible for clotting), characterizing immune cell interactions in asthma/allergy and sensors for use in food and blood. Popular Science in October included Haynes, 35, on the magazine's "Brilliant 10" list, a group of "geniuses shaking up science today."
"Dr. Haynes is an emerging leader in the study of nanoparticles in medical applications," said 2013 ACS President Marinda Li Wu, Ph.D. "She pioneered a technique using carbon fiber electrodes to study how nanoparticle uptake affects cellular function. Her work puts her at the forefront of research on the impacts of the rapidly growing nanotechnology field."
The new Kavli emerging leaders lectures recognize the work of outstanding young chemical scientists. These new presentations will shine the spotlight on scientists younger than 40 years old and not more than 10 years removed from earning their Ph.D.s when nominated, and who have made exceptional achievements in scientific or engineering research. Haynes was selected by the ACS' Multidisciplinary Program Planning Group (MPPG). She was one of 13 nominations submitted by 9 ACS Technical Divisions for this inaugural lecture. This lecture series will run from 2013 to 2015 and joins the existing "Kavli Foundation Innovations in Chemistry Lecture" series. The Call for Nominations issued to the ACS Divisions for the autumn ACS National Meeting in Indianapolis, Ind. (September 8-12, 2013), will occur in early January 2013.
"The Kavli Foundation is delighted to support a series that brings attention to exceptional young researchers in chemistry. Recognizing these outstanding young chemists will inspire others and help create a vibrant future in the field," said Fred Kavli, founder and chairman of The Kavli Foundation. Added Bob Conn, president of the foundation, "Bright young researchers possess the energy, motivation and a 'can do' attitude to move science forward. It is often at this stage that scientists do their most innovative work."
The Kavli Foundation is dedicated to advancing science for the benefit of humanity, promoting public understanding of scientific research and supporting scientists and their work. The Foundation implements its mission through an international program of research institutes in the fields of astrophysics and theoretical physics, nanoscience and neuroscience, and through the support of conferences, symposia, endowed professorships, journalism workshops and other activities.
The "Kavli Foundation Innovations in Chemistry Lecture" series debuted at the Anaheim meeting in March 2011 and will continue through 2013. They will address the urgent need for vigorous, new, "outside-the-box" thinking, as scientists tackle many of the world's mounting challenges, like climate change, emerging diseases, and water and energy shortages. The Kavli Foundation, an internationally recognized philanthropic organization known for its support of basic scientific innovation, agreed to sponsor the lectures in conjunction with ACS in 2010.
Wu also praised The Kavli Foundation for its support of the lectures and leadership on a broad range of other activities in advancing science. "The Kavli Foundation and the American Chemical Society are excellent partners with remarkably similar missions," Wu said. "ACS' mission statement speaks of advancing the science of chemistry 'for the benefit of Earth and its people.' I am delighted that these two organizations can work together in their dedication to achieving these goals."