AOCS Analytical Division
Newsletter September 2007
Message from the Chair
Jerry King
My comments for the AOCS Analytical Division Newsletter this cycle are twofold. Firstly, I would like to report to our members on the programmatic activities and results during the Québec City meeting, and secondly, to comment on the status of the division and future activities, particularly with respect to next year's annual meeting in Seattle, Washington. I can say with confidence that our division's program was well received judging by the attendance at the individual sessions. However, membership participation in the division's planning meetings was disappointing.
All of the Analytical Division's programs in Québec City had excellent attendance, and in some cases the assigned rooms overflowed their capacity. Sessions on trans fatty acid (co-organized with JOCS), triacylglycerol molecular structure characterization, biodiesel analysis (co-sponsored with IOC), and the novel process control/analytical methods session (co-sponsored with PROC), as well as our general oral and poster sessions, were appreciated as was apparent from the divisional and general feedback I received on our programming. The divisions had 37 posters listed in the abstract book, which was an excellent addition to the oral program.
The Dutton Award luncheon was well-attended with approximately 90 members at the luncheon to hear Dr. Yutaka Itabashi's award address entitled, “HPLC Resolution of Stereo- and Regiosiomeric Glycerolipids.” The Dutton Award plaque was presented to Dr. Itabashi by Vice-Chair Fred Eller, who also presented our division's student awards to Cynthia Boudrault and Sandra A. Reza Lopez, both from the University of Toronto. We encourage you to nominate deserving candidates for the Dutton Award as well as our division's student awards for next year's meeting in Seattle.
The student award is presented to Sandra A. Reza Lopez.
The Dutton Award is presented to Dr. Itabashi.
The student award is presented to Cynthia Boudrault.
A special note of thanks is due to our division member-at-large, Gary List, who made a special presentation during the luncheon honoring Dr. Herbert J. Dutton, for whom our division's annual award is named. Dr. Dutton passed away on September 12, 2006 in Cable, Wisconsin at the age of 92. Gary, who worked with Dr. Dutton for many years at USDA's Peoria, Illinois research center, reflected on Dr. Dutton's contributions to lipid science and technology, his personal development, and Dr. Dutton's commitment to science throughout his entire career.
Our Analytical Division Board Meeting on Sunday in Québec City was sparsely attended. Two major initiatives were discussed that involved providing divisional travel grants for academic attendees as well as access to on-line AOCS analytical methods for students. It was generally agreed upon by those in attendance that funding these initiatives on a trial basis would be desirable. Rick Della Porta noted that our divisional budget is around $20,000 even after partially supporting the Dutton award luncheon. The division was encouraged to seek external sponsorship for targeted sessions at future meetings, such as the $3275 raised by Craig Byrdwell for the division's session in mass spectrometry at the St. Louis AOCS Meeting.
My attendance at the AOCS Divisional Council Meeting on Sunday in Québec City had one item of note for divisional members. In the past, student award nominees have been able to apply for multiple awards across several divisions. The council voted to end this practice and limit student award nominees for one award across all divisional awards. This policy, however, would not apply to foundational or named student awards.
Moving on to our division's planned activities for next year's AOCS meeting in Seattle, May 18-21, 2007, session topical themes were suggested and approved by the limited members in attendance at the Analytical Division's Roundtable Discussion Meeting. The sessions scheduled for the Seattle meeting are as follows: