Greetings Puget Sound ACS members,

     Thank you for entrusting me with the responsibility of being your Chair Elect in 2008.  The following is a brief description of my background.  By training, I am a medicinal chemist (Ph.D. U.C. Riverside, MS Georgia Institute of Technology) with a background in natural product synthesis and organic methodology.  I worked in biotechnology in the San Francisco bay area until 1995, when I relocated to the Puget Sound along with my spouse, Julie, who is also a chemist (bio-analytical / NMR, mass spec.).  On a personal note, I might also mention that Julie and I have just begun our greatest experiment with the birth of our first child, Andrew, on December 13, 2007.

     I consider myself a product of the Puget Sound Biotechnology industry since I have evenly divided the last 12 years of my laboratory research and research management between downtown and east-of-Lake Washington drug discovery companies.  Over the last eight years, I have managed a group of medicinal chemists at Amgen’s Seattle research site (formerly Immunex Corp.).  I enjoy opportunities to reach out to the local community.  For instance, I have been actively involved with the Student Biotech Expo organized by NWABR (www.nwabr.org), which offers local high schools the opportunity to have students work with local scientists in the Puget Sound.  At the end of 2007, I joined the ranks of the unemployed when I declined to relocate with my job out-of-state in favor of remaining in the Puget Sound area, that I have grown to love.

     Being a member of ACS for over 20 years and the Puget Sound Section for the last several years is something I have valued.  As Chair Elect of the Puget Sound ACS, I will listen and learn from the counsel of our experienced officers.  My main responsibility in 2008 will be to continue the ACS speaker series.  I am also interested in hearing from member chemists and chemical engineers from industry, government and academia and especially with ideas that I may bring to the attention the Chair and other officers. 

     The Puget Sound area enjoys great primary through university science education, world renowned non-profit research foundations and a history of scientific innovation.  The local chapter of the ACS represents an important common element in all of this success.  I look forward to seeing what comes next and to serving as your Chair Elect in 2008.                                                   Sincerely,
                                                                 Jim Petigru Boyce, Ph.D.