Dr. Javier García-Martínez, a professor of inorganic chemistry at the University of Alicante in Spain and President of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC), visited the JSNN on Thursday, August 25.  It was quite an honor since it was the first time ever that an IUPAC President is in town and visits the JSNN.  Dr. García-Martínez had lunch with graduate students from the Science and Technologies for Phosphorus Sustainability (STEPS) program, met with members of the JSNN chapter of the Materials Research Society (MRS@JSNN), and presented an inspiring seminar on circular chemistry and sustainability.  He also highlighted some current outreach activities sponsored by the Union, including the Periodic Table Challenge and the Global Women’s Breakfast.

IUPAC, founded in 1919, is the umbrella organization that works for the advancement of the chemical sciences throughout the world, especially by developing standardized chemical nomenclature and terminology.  It currently consists of 55 national members, which are typically chemical societies or other scientific organizations (such as the National Academy of Sciences in the case of the USA), and a network of nearly 4,500 individual volunteers engaged in various committees and projects.