SERMACS 2009 Post Meeting News

SERMACS 2009 was a total success! We thank all speakers, students, participants, sponsors, exhibitors, workshop/symposia/scientific program organizers, award recipients, ACS staff, PR Convention Center staff, and the many volunteers that made the meeting possible.

The SERMACS 2009 Organizing Committee

Read below or click the links for post meeting information.

SERMACS 2009 Final Report and Final Report Appendices (28 Mb)

SERMACS 2009 Photo Gallery

Undergraduate Oral and Poster Presentation Award Winners

Participants

Registration totaled 1,335 participants. These included 337 ACS active members, 206 graduate students, 446 undergraduate students (both student categories are SERMACS records), 42 postdoctoral associates, 52 exhibitors, 33 precollege teachers, and 78 non-members. A total of 775 scientific papers were presented, including 185 undergraduate posters and 30 undergraduate oral presentations. Eighteen symposia and 6 workshops were also featured.

Undergraduate Program

SERMACS 2009 displayed a strong undergraduate representation. A total 185 undergraduate posters and 30 undergraduate oral presentations were given during morning and evening sessions. The output exceeded expectations. The evaluation of undergraduate posters and oral presentations was well organized and many volunteers from the local  section, in addition to a generous contribution from members from the southeastern region, served as judges. The best three presentations in each category (oral and poster) were awarded Click to see the winners.

NCW/Festival de Química

SERMACS 2009 coincided with the celebration of National Chemistry Week (NCW). This opportunity granted our ACS Student Member Chapters a chance to   demonstrate their strong commitment toward their future profession and how proud they are to be chemists. In spite of the incident of the fire at the Capeco refinery several miles from the convention center that threatened the possible cancellation of the activity, over 500 students, primarily from 9-12, were received during the celebration of the "Festival de Química". Thirteen student member chapters, four Chem Clubs and other university organizations (around 250 volunteer students) chose each an element of the periodic table and highlighted its importance in everyday life with hands-on activities. This activity was celebrated at the Convention District Water Fountains Park, in front of the Puerto Rico Convention Center. Click to see Festival de Química pictures.