ChemEd Summit 2024

Learn more about first ChemEd Summit, which was held in 2024 on the NC State campus.

2024 ChemEd Summit Overview

As the field of chemistry undergoes significant advancements — the growing importance of interdisciplinary research, the integration of artificial intelligence, and an increasing emphasis on sustainability, among others — the undergraduate chemical sciences curricula must evolve. We must ensure that students are well-prepared to meet the demands of the new market.

With that in mind, NC State and its Integrative Sciences Initiative held a one-day ChemEd Summit that aimed to bring together members from the industrial, academic and state and federal chemical sciences community.

Date: March 8, 2024
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Location: NC State University, Talley Student Union, Coastal Ballroom

The event had the following goals:

Identify the essential knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) required in the dynamic landscape of the chemical/molecular sciences today
Collaboratively develop a shared vision for the future of chemical/molecular sciences education, considering the evolving needs and challenges in the field
Outline practical steps and initiatives that can be taken to realize our shared vision for advancing chemical sciences education in collaboration with the broader campus and industrial community

2024 Agenda and Program

8:30 – 9 a.m.
Check-in and Networking
Coffee and bakery items will be served.

9 – 9:30 a.m.
Welcome and Introductions

Ghada Rabah, Teaching Professor of Chemistry and College of Sciences Dean Faculty Fellow
Alun Lloyd, Professor of Mathematics and College of Sciences Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
Joshua Pierce, Howard J. Schaeffer Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Executive Director Integrative Sciences Initiative
Gavin Williams, Chemistry Professor and Department Head
Melanie Simpson, Professor and Department Head, Molecular and Structural Biochemistry

Introduction to the College of Sciences, Integrative Sciences Initiative and the Departments of Chemistry and Biochemistry.

Overview of the meeting objectives and the importance of collaboration between industrial, academic and government sectors in the chemical sciences community, plus a summary of results of the pre-summit survey.

9:30 – 10:15 a.m.
Student Perspectives on Transitioning to the Workforce
Panel of recent graduates from NC State’s Departments of Chemistry and Biochemistry, followed by audience Q&A.

Panelists

Sydney Andersen, BASF, Residue Scientist
Drew Moore, KBI Pharma Analytical development, Research Associate
Jake Nelson, Parker Hannifin Corp, Scientist II, Structural Adhesives Product Development.
Whitney Pesce, Syngenta, Research Technician
Christina Stansell, Enthalpy Specialty Labs, Quality Assurance Associate I

Facilitators

Trino Ascencio-Ibanez, Teaching Associate Professor of Biochemistry and Genetics and Director of Undergraduate Program
Marion Martin, Associate Teaching Professor of Chemistry and Co-Director of Undergraduate Program

10:15 – 10:30 a.m.
Break

10:30 – 11:15 a.m.
Current Landscape of Chemistry as a Profession
Panelists from industry and government sectors will share their perspectives on the current state of the chemical sciences profession, focusing on expectations of current employees and where the profession is headed in the future, followed by audience Q&A.

Panelists

Timothy Fornes, Parker Lord, Technology Fellow
Dawn Mason, Eastman Chemical company, Global External Innovation & LIBRIS Manager
Nikolette McCombs, KBI Biopharma, Associate Director
Damaris Perez, Catalent Pharma Solutions, Senior Scientist
Elin M. Ulrich, U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Supervisory chemist

Facilitator

Joshua Pierce, Howard J. Schaeffer Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Executive Director, Integrative Sciences Initiative.

11:15 a.m. – Noon
Current Landscape of Chemical Sciences Education
Panelists from diverse backgrounds will share their perspectives on the current state of chemical sciences education and how institutions can adapt to better prepare students for future careers in the chemical sciences, followed by audience Q&A.

Panelists

James MacCord, U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Chemist
Ashley Mahoney, Director, Minnesota Innovation Corps and member, American Chemical Society, committee on Professional Training (ACS-CPT)
Tomeka Oubichon, U. S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Eastern Regional outreach officer
Samuella B. Sigmann, American Chemical Society Committee on Chemical Safety, Chair
Bhaskar Venepalli, President and CEO, CiVentiChem and Subcommittee Chair, ACS Committee on Economic and Professional Affairs (CEPA)

Facilitator

Jeremiah Feducia, Teaching Professor of Chemistry and Director of Undergraduate Program, Integrative Sciences Initiative

Noon – 1 p.m.
Lunch

1:00-1:05 p.m. Introduction to the Office of Undergraduate Research, Janet Goins, Director.

1:05 – 1:45 p.m.
Identifying Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs)

Using the morning panel discussions as a framework, we will revisit the results of the pre-summit survey in an effort to identify specific KSAs to create a vision of collaboration between NC State and local industry and government partners. The session will feature Interactive discussion among participants to identify key areas and challenges.

Facilitators

Kirsten Kramer, Assistant Teaching Professor of Chemistry and Co-Director of Undergraduate Program
Ghada Rabah, Teaching Professor of Chemistry and College of Sciences Dean Faculty Fellow

1:45 – 3:45 p.m.
Creating a Shared Vision
This session will feature an introduction to the Office of Undergraduate Research followed by panel and group discussions to define a shared vision for the future of chemical sciences education. These conversations will include practical steps and strategies to achieve this shared vision.

1:45 – 2:45 p.m
Panel session

Panelists

Volker Bornemann, Avazyme, President and CEO, Adjunct Professor of Chemistry, and Chair NC American Chemical Society section
Michelle Brooks, American Chemical Society, Assistant director, Higher education
Sean Ekins, Collaborations Pharmaceuticals, Inc., CEO and Founder
James Harrington, RTI International, Fellow
Brian Heasley, Cambrex, Director of Chemical Development
Ann Yolish, Merck, Operation Director

Facilitators

Melanie Simpson, Professor and Department Head, Molecular and Structural Biochemistry
Gavin Williams, Professor and Department Head, Chemistry

2:45 – 3:45 p.m.
Discussion session

3:45 – 4 p.m.
Break

4 – 4:30 p.m.
Wrap-up and Next Steps
Final presentation on immediate next steps and actionable items and continued collaboration

Facilitators

Jeremiah Feducia, Teaching Professor of Chemistry and Director of Undergraduate Program, Integrative Sciences Initiative
Ghada Rabah, Teaching Professor of Chemistry and College of Sciences Dean Faculty Fellow

4:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Networking and Dinner

About the Organizers

The ChemEd Summit 2024 was hosted by NC State University’s Integrative Sciences Initiative in partnership with the Departments of Chemistry and Molecular and Structural Biochemistry and under the auspices of the College of Sciences Dean’s Faculty Fellow Program.