February Meeting

Green Chemistry and Sustainability

Speaker: Mary Kirchoff, Director of the ACS Green Chemistry Institute

When: Monday, February 17th

6:00pm - Buffet dinner and social hour

7:00pm - Presentation

Where: Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion at Augsburg University

2211 Riverside Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55454

Campus map

Parking is free is designated Augsburg lots. Permits will be emailed to all registered guests. Lot G offers the shortest walk for handicap parking.

Menu: Buffet dinner - Mediterranean chicken breast and vegetarian/gluten free pasta Fagioli

Cost: $20 / $10 students; presentation only is free

We prefer all payments using PayPal, however, we will accept payment at the door for those unable or unwilling. Please contact the treasurer, Shelby Auger (link to email address found on "Officers" page), prior to the event to let her know and we can plan accordingly.

 RSVP: Please register by noon on Thursday, February 13th

We expect a large turnout; early registration is suggested if attending buffet dinner as there is maximum seating of 50. For teachers and faculty brining students to the meeting, we suggest signing up for the presentation only. If you have any questions, please contact Bruce Bear (link to email address found on "Officers" page).

Abstract: Green chemistry will play an essential role in achieving the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those at the food-water-energy nexus. Green chemistry and engineering solutions are needed to provide adequate nutrition, clean water, and sustainable energy to the more than seven billion people on the planet. Achieving the targets articulated under each of the SDGs will require the development of new materials and processes, increased use of renewable feedstocks, and the development of affordable sources of clean energy. A new education paradigm will also be needed so that students can employ a systems thinking approach in applying chemistry to solve global challenges. Minnesota has a strong commitment to sustainability through science, as demonstrated by the University of Minnesota’s Center for Sustainable Polymers and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s focus on green chemistry. This presentation will highlight current research and education initiatives in chemistry targeting achievement of the SDGs, as well as the work of GCI in advancing green and sustainable chemistry. 

Bio: Mary Kirchhoff is the Executive Vice President of the American Chemical Society (ACS) Scientific Advancement Division and the Director of the ACS Green Chemistry Institute®.  She received her Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of New Hampshire and joined the Chemistry Department at Trinity College in Washington, DC, in 1992.  She began working in green chemistry as an AAAS Environmental Fellow and Visiting Scientist with the U.S. EPA's green chemistry program.  Mary joined the ACS in 2001, serving as Director of the Education Division for 11 years.  Mary is an AAAS Fellow and currently serves on the National Academies' Chemical Sciences Roundtable.