Meeting Logistics
Date: Thursday, September 17, 2026
Time: 6:00 p.m. Check-in / Social Hour
…………..6:30 p.m. Dinner
…………..7:00 p.m. Speaker Presentation
Menu:
Meal will be catered by St. Germain and will feature Grilled Steak with au Poive sauce and pan seared Tilapia with Champagne Buerre Blanc Sauce, grilled balsamic marinated vegetable medley, Caesar Salad. Dessert and Beverages are included.
Vegetarian option available by request only: Orecchette Pasta with Bay Spinach, suash, and roasted red peppers in a rose pasta sauce.
Cost: $24 (1/2 price for students and high school teachers)
An RSVP is required for dinner so we can plan appropriate seating and meals. Deadline to register is 3p Monday, September 14.
Registration is required if you wish to participate virtually via Zoom –
https://american-chemical-society.zoom.com/meeting/register/Eci_sXzRQXusfKiAisTgaw?optimizely_user_id=cfeea49752ac40bf9fdc79ec771af5f2
RSVP by 3:00 p.m. (ET) Monday, September 14, to csw@acs.org. Please provide the names in your party as well as your contact information when you RSVP. The public is invited to attend. You may attend the talk only at no charge, 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 csw@acs.org.
Bio:
Dr. Rigoberto Hernandez is the Gompf Family Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the Johns Hopkins University since 2016, and the Director of the Open Chemistry Collaborative in Diversity Equity (OXIDE). He is also a Professor, by courtesy, in the Departments of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, and Materials Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University. He is the 2026 President of the American Chemical Society. He was born in Güines, La Habana, Cuba and is a U.S. Citizen by birthright. He holds a B.S.E. in Chemical Engineering and Mathematics from Princeton University (1989), and a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley (1993). He has published over 190 articles in theoretical and computational chemistry and discipline-based diversity research in chemistry.
Abstract:
As we celebrate the 150th year anniversary of the American Chemical Society, we are focusing not just where we have been, but also where we will go over the next 150 years. Our aim is to advance chemistry, its practitioners, and everyone who is touched by chemistry. During my Presidential year I have been promoting ACS First, ACS for Life, ACS for All and their alignment with our sesquicentennial celebration of the ACS. Through ACS First, I am aiming to ensure that the ACS is the first place that everyone comes to for advocacy and advisory for advancing chemistry globally. Through ACS for Life, I have advocated for the notion that once a chemist, always a chemist, and aim to make it easier for members to remain members for life. Through ACS for ALL, I have supported and advocated for policies open to all scientists who self-identify as chemists (broadly defined!), and those who wish to engage with chemists. As a membership society, we should meet chemists where they are because together we are truly better.
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