Join us on Thursday, February 14th, for the Chemical Society of Washington (CSW) dinner meeting, including presentation of the College Achievement Awards. These awards are presented annually to outstanding seniors majoring in chemistry and biochemistry from each of the area colleges and universities. Following the awards presentation, Dr. Daniel Glavin will present Follow Your Curiosity: The Search for Signs of Life on Mars.
Dr. Daniel Glavin
Astrobiologist and Associate Director
Science in the Solar System Exploration Division
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Biography
Daniel Glavin is an Astrobiologist and Associate Director for Science in the Solar System Exploration Division at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. Dr. Glavin first became involved in Astrobiology research in 1996 when a meteorite from Mars found in Antarctica, called Allan Hills 84001, revealed possible remnants of an ancient martian life form. Although Glavin’s research suggested that some of the chemical evidence for life was compromised by terrestrial contamination in Antarctica, the ALH 84001 discovery energized the Astrobiology community and the red planet continues to be one of the primary targets for exploration and the search for life beyond Earth. Dr. Glavin helped develop and test the wet chemistry experiment that is part of the Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument onboard the MSL rover Curiosity. SAM, a microwave oven-sized instrument suite that includes a mass spectrometer developed at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center is currently investigating the martian atmosphere, rocks, and soil to look for water, organic compounds, and other biologically important elements required by life.
Abstract
In this talk, Glavin will describe the concept of a “habitable environment” and the requirements for life as we know it. Understanding the basic requirements for life and the prebiotic chemistry that led to the emergence of life on Earth helps guide our search for life on Mars. Glavin will also give an overview of NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory mission with an update on the progress of the Curiosity rover in Gale Crater and a summary of the results from the SAM instrument, including the detection of methane in the atmosphere and complex organics in an ancient lake mudstone. The discovery of preserved organic matter in Gale Crater is an important milestone in the search for chemical biosignatures on Mars.
Meeting Logistics
Date: Thursday, February 14, 2019
Time: 6:00 p.m. Check-in/Social Hour
6:30 p.m. Dinner
7:00 p.m. College Achievement Awards Presentation
7:30 p.m. Presentation
Location: ACS Headquarters – Marvel Hall
1155 16th St., N.W., Washington, DC
Menu: Meal will be catered by Windows Catering and will feature lemon pepper chicken and shrimp (Florida Gulf shrimp and boneless breast of chicken, marinated in Meyer lemon and served with a julienne of yellow squash and zucchini on pearl pasta).
Vegetarian Option: Porcini ravioli (ravioli stuffed with wild mushrooms, tossed with toasted pine nuts and sweet peas in an Alfredo sauce).
Sides include: Asparagus spears (fresh, tender asparagus with navel oranges and toasted pine nuts, in a citrus dressing) and garden salad (romaine, radicchio, red leaf and limestone bibb lettuce with tomatoes, chick peas, matchstick carrots, cucumber and broccoli with choice of dressing)
Dessert: Coconut-crusted key lime pie
Assorted beverages will be provided.
Cost: $22 (Members and guests) / $11 (Students and High School Teachers)
RSVP by noon Tuesday, February 12, to [email protected] (preferred) or by phone (messages only: 202.659.2650). Please provide the names in your party when you RSVP, and if you wish to have the meat or vegetarian option. The public is invited to attend. You may attend the talk only, but reservations are appreciated. If you need any further information or would like to make a reservation, please contact the CSW office by email at [email protected] or by voicemail at 202.659.2650.
Parking: Parking is available in nearby commercial parking garages. Please be aware that garage closing times vary. Parking is also available on the street after 6:30 pm, but be aware that most parking meters are in effect until 10:00 pm and may be limited to 2 hours. You should check the individual meters for details and payment methods as some are no longer coin-operated.
Metro: Blue/Orange/Silver Line: McPherson Square or Farragut West. Red Line: Farragut North
