Our newsletter has a new look! After years of PDF editions, we’re excited to bring you a more engaging and accessible experience that highlights the energy and accomplishments of our community across the state.

Inside this issue, you’ll find inspiring stories of achievement, educational outreach, upcoming events, and the dedicated work of our members and subsections. We hope this new look makes it even more enjoyable to stay connected with the vibrant activities happening throughout Florida.

Thank you for being part of the Florida Section of the American Chemical Society. We look forward to your feedback on the new format and to seeing you at future events!

The 2026 Florida Award honors Dr. Steven A. Benner, a pioneer whose chemistry reshaped genetics, evolution, and origins-of-life research. A Yale (BS/MS) and Harvard (PhD) alumnus, he held faculty posts at Harvard, ETH Zurich, and the University of Florida as the V.T. & Louise Jackson Distinguished Professor. In 2005 he founded FfAME and TWIST, and later companies including EraGen and Firebird; his technologies power platforms in diagnostics, drug discovery, and biotechnology. His lab synthesized the first gene encoding an enzyme, expanded DNA’s alphabet beyond four letters, and helped launch synthetic biology. A founder of paleogenetics and a leader in astrobiology, he holds Dreyfus and Sloan honors and fellowships in AAAS and ISSOL. He authored Life, the Universe, and the Scientific Method; a new Mars book arrives Summer 2026.

On Friday, February 13, 2026, the Florida Section of the American Chemical Society joined the Capital Regional Science and Engineering Fair at the Tucker Civic Center in Tallahassee. Local members served as judges as middle and high school students competed, evaluating posters for creativity, presentation, scientific rationale, and significance. Cash prizes were awarded in science and engineering for both grade levels. This annual event is a regular volunteer effort for the Florida Section, which proudly recognizes outstanding student work each year.

Dr. Beni Dangi (2nd from left) with award-winning students

The USNCO 2026 local examination concluded successfully across Florida. Coordinated by FL-ACS Local Section Secretary Pranshu Puri, the effort ran seamlessly thanks to careful logistics and strong engagement with students, parents, and teachers. We thank F.W. Buchholz High School (Gainesville) for hosting, the University of Florida and Frazer School for surplus supplies, and the FL-ACS Local Section for funding. On-site support from Narender Kumar (UF Ph.D. student) and steady assistance from Malgorzata Thatcher (ACS USNCO Program Manager) and Ann Thomas (Buchholz High School) ensured smooth administration. Congratulations to all national nominees—carry forward the rigor and curiosity that brought you here. The FL-ACS Local Section remains committed to supporting young scientists statewide.

Pranshu Puri (2nd from right) and Ann Thomas (right) with USNCO 2026 national nominees

On April 18, 2026, the Florida Section of the American Chemical Society hosted Chemists Celebrate Earth Week at Bonnet Springs Park, partnering with the Florida Southern College Student Chapter and students and faculty from Florida Polytechnic University. Sixteen volunteers engaged 78 children and 112 adults in hands-on activities linking chemistry and the environment. Highlights included demonstrating how soil pH influences hydrangea flower color, identifying trees by their leaves, modeling cellulose to show the role of sugars in wood, and reading pine and walnut tree rings to estimate age and infer past climate. The day concluded with an invitation for participants to enter the CCEW poetry contest.

On April 24, 2026, we were proud to support Chemathon, hosted by the University of Florida Department of Chemistry with support from the UF Student Chapter of the American Chemical Society. High school students from across Florida came to campus for a full day of chemistry, including hands-on experiments, a competitive written exam, a lively quiz bowl, guided research lab tours, panel discussions with UF chemistry students, and live demonstrations that brought core concepts to life.

Thanks to a grant award by ACS, the Florida Section will hold its next Strategic Planning Retreat on July 10–11, 2026, at Florida Polytechnic University in Lakeland. Building on the success of our 2023 retreat, this gathering will bring together the executive committee and members to refine our vision, strengthen member engagement, and enhance our flagship events like FAME. Stay tuned for updates and volunteer opportunities as we shape the future of FL-ACS!

Join us for the 102^nd Florida Annual Meeting and Exposition (FAME 2026)—FL-ACS’s premier statewide gathering for chemists in academia, industry, and education. Look forward to dynamic technical sessions, posters, workshops, awards, student programming, an active exhibitor hall, and abundant networking. Details on the program, registration, lodging, and exhibitor opportunities are available at fl-acs.org/fame-conference. Let’s celebrate Florida chemistry and spark new collaborations at FAME 2026.

FL-ACS has approved the creation of a Lakeland Subsection to strengthen regional coordination and program delivery. This subsection will be led by Dr. Micah Brown (Florida Southern College) and Dr. Jessica Martin (Florida Polytechnic University), dynamic early-career chemistry faculty dedicated to education, training, and community engagement.

Dr. Micah Brown is an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Florida Southern College (FSC) in Lakeland. He earned his PhD in Analytical Chemistry from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, completed a postdoctoral appointment at Duke University, and taught as a visiting assistant professor at Elon University before joining FSC. His research group develops electrochemical sensors for environmental monitoring and water quality assurance. In the classroom, he connects chemistry with the community through case studies and field trips to municipal services. He has twice been named Faculty/Staff Member of the Year by Student Life at FSC. As faculty mentor to the ACS student chapter, he has organized volunteer events that enhance public awareness of, and engagement with, chemistry.

Dr. Jessica Martin is an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Florida Polytechnic University and a Florida native, with degrees from Florida Gulf Coast University and the University of South Florida. She is dedicated to science education, student mentorship, and community engagement, fostering enthusiasm for chemistry and participation in STEM. As a member of the American Chemical Society, Dr. Martin is excited to strengthen outreach, promote public appreciation of chemistry, and build connections among scientists, students, educators, and local communities across Florida.