As we approach the final weeks before the 102^nd Florida Annual Meeting and Exposition, here are the latest updates to help you plan your participation. FAME 2026 offers an excellent program of symposia, research presentations, poster sessions, and networking at the Innisbrook Golf Resort, September 18–20. Highlights include the plenary lecture by Dr. Lisa McElwee-White and the presentation of the 2026 ACS Florida Award to Dr. Steven A. Benner.

This issue includes a message from the Section Chair, comments from several session chairs, information about volunteer opportunities, details on student workshops, and information about accommodations and pricing at Innisbrook Resort. Registration and abstract submission remain open. We encourage faculty, students, industry colleagues, and others who have been considering attending to secure your spot soon and book your stay at Innisbrook Resort at our discounted conference rate.

We look forward to seeing many of you there.

Dr. Ajeet Kaushik, 2026 FL-ACS Chair

Serving the Florida Section of the American Chemical Society as a Chair is exciting and full of adventure. On behalf of FL-ACS, we look forward to welcoming you to the 102^nd Florida Annual Meeting and Exposition (FAME), September 18–20, 2026. Following FL-ACS's vision, “Inspiring Scientific Excellence in the Sunshine State”, FAME 2026 will be an excellent opportunity to share, exchange, and discuss advanced chemical science to advance knowledge and foster innovation. One of the objectives of FL-ACS and FAME is to promote chemistry for everyone, especially quality education, next-generation research, and the economic growth of Florida through collaborations and innovations. To achieve these goals, FAME is well supported by universities, industries, institutions, FL-ACS, field experts, and volunteers. I am sure that your presence will motivate and encourage us to promote cutting-edge science and chemistry for everyone. 

Dr. Subramanian Ramakrishnan, Additive Manufacturing Session Chair

Additive Manufacturing has advanced considerably over the last four decades. Originating from investigations in automated welding, the technology is now capable of fabricating complete devices and resolutions on the order of tens of nanometers. These capabilities promise to significantly reduce the costs, time, and complexity of fabricating devices out of a wide range of materials, including metals, polymers, ceramics, and even living cells. Applications for additive manufacturing include rapid prototyping; microfluidics and lab-on-a-chip systems; stretchable electronics; bio-scaffolding and medical/health care; metamaterials and optoelectronics; and more.

Due to the breadth of materials, processes, and applications of additive manufacturing, the set of physics, chemistries, and biology involved with additive manufacturing continues to expand at an increasing rate. This session will be dedicated to the latest advances in novel additive manufacturing technologies, including nano-scale printing, printable electronics, and bio-applications. Additionally, the symposium will incorporate topics in designing for additive manufacturing, the reliability of materials printed using these techniques, and STEM outreach opportunities for 3D printing.

Topics will include:

• Micro- and nano-scale additive manufacturing
• Biological and bio-inspired applications of additive manufacturing
• Device fabrication with additive manufacturing
• Design optimization: computation/simulation, strategies, challenges, and scaling
• Novel polymeric materials and their self-assembly for 3D printing
• Advances in polymer printing
• Printable electronics
• Reliability of printed materials
• 3D printing and the classroom: STEM and beyond

Dr. Wen Zhu, Biochemistry and Chemical Biology Session Chair

The focus of the Biochemistry and Chemical Biology track of FAME this year is Chemical Insights into Biology. We will showcase how chemical approaches are transforming our understanding of biological systems, from fundamental molecular mechanisms to emerging therapeutic strategies.

This year's program features an outstanding lineup of invited speakers, including Drs. James Leahy (USF), Nigel Richards (FfAME), Elisa Biondi (FfAME), Xinggui Liu (UF), Chen Zhao (UF), and Edward Kalkreuter (FSU), highlighting advances in enzymology, chemical biology, natural product biosynthesis, biomolecular mechanisms, and drug discovery. The session will conclude with contributed talks that provide students and early-career researchers an opportunity to present their latest work and engage with leaders in the field.

I'm particularly excited to see discussions that bridge chemistry and biology, reveal new mechanistic insights, and spark collaborations across disciplines. Whether your interests lie in fundamental biological chemistry or translational applications, this track will offer an exciting forum to explore how chemistry continues to illuminate biology.

Gina Pedro, Inorganic Chemistry Session Chair

Join us in the Inorganic Chemistry session for a dynamic showcase featuring developments in catalysis, redox-active polymeric materials, and supramolecular chemistry! Attendees can expect a highly interdisciplinary symposium ranging from applications in bioinorganic chemistry to investigations of semiconductive materials presented by a diverse group of student researchers as well as regional faculty. We are especially excited to share that Dr. Santa Jansone-Popova from Oak Ridge National Laboratory will be joining us to discuss her work in lanthanide/actinide separation. Dr. Jansone-Popova has been a Research Staff Scientist in the Chemical Sciences Division at ORNL since 2014 as well as a Principal Investigator whose research interests include novel functional materials for metal-ion separation and stable anion-conducting materials.

Melisa Gonzalez, Organic Chemistry Session Chair

The Organic Chemistry Oral Session at FAME will showcase innovative research spanning synthetic methodology, natural product synthesis, medicinal chemistry, catalysis, and mechanistic studies. Our goal is to bring together undergraduates, graduate students, post-docs, and faculty members to a welcoming and relaxed environment, which will foster engaging discussions, spark new collaborations, and provide attendees with fresh perspectives. Whether participants are presenting their work or learning from others, we envision this session as an opportunity to celebrate scientific curiosity, the exchange of ideas across diverse subdisciplines and career stages, and the hardworking community that drives the future of organic chemistry. We look forward to seeing you and learning from you!

Lauren Mann, POLY/PMSE Session Chair

The polymer science oral session will include presentations spanning polymer synthesis, characterization, processing, sustainability, and applications. Whether showcasing fundamental discoveries or innovative technologies, this session will highlight the creativity and interdisciplinary nature of polymer research. We are excited to bring together students and researchers to share ideas, foster collaborations, and spark discussions that will help shape the future of polymer science.

FL-ACS is still accepting volunteer and scholarship applications for FAME. The deadline is August 1^st. Student volunteers can assist with materials transport, set-up and takedown, and the registration table, and a limited number of volunteer scholarships are available; senior scientists are invited to serve as poster judges.

Click Here to Learn More and Apply

We’re excited to offer focused workshops for undergraduate and graduate attendees at this year’s Florida Annual Meeting and Exposition. Dr. Nicholas Conti, CEO and Principal of Parabellum Advisors, will lead a Career Workshop drawing on his path (B.S. Chemistry, Notre Dame; Ph.D. Organic Chemistry, University of Florida; MBA, Wharton) and executive leadership across industry.

Dr. Michelle Nolan, Chemical Sciences Librarian at the University of Florida, and Dr. Nicholas Ruhs, Research Data Management Librarian at Florida State University, will lead a crash course in "Navigating the Scientific Literature" for budding researchers looking to hone their library skills. We may also add an additional surprise workshop to the program. All students registered for FAME will receive an invitation to register for workshops once meeting registration has closed.

Enjoy the convenience and resort atmosphere of staying on-site at the beautiful Innisbrook Golf Resort. For just $145 per night plus taxes and fees, you’ll have everything you need right at your doorstep — spacious accommodations, multiple dining options, pools, and scenic grounds — without the hassle of cooking, cleaning, or taking out the trash that often comes with vacation rentals. Being immersed in the resort setting also makes it easy to connect with other attendees between sessions and fully enjoy the FAME experience.

Click Here to Book Your Stay