Greetings loyal BITeS readers. I just got back from an amazing visit to the Sunshine State for the ACS spring meeting. It was an amazing conference, but I must admit, I am slightly tired from the very long slither from my hotel to the rooms in the conference center. The Undergraduate Research at the Frontiers of Inorganic Chemistry sessions were amazing. We had some outstanding talks from faculty and undergraduate students, including the three winners of the Division of Inorganic Chemistry Undergraduate Research Award. We had a really prime location (thanks Nora and Steve) and that led to very full sessions. One thing I don't understand is "Undergraduate Research at the Frontiers of Inorganic Chemistry". Who came up with this name? More importantly, why don't we refer to it in element symbols? I mean it is kind of our thing. And it does work. Let it be written that henceforth this session shall be refered to as URfIC, although I must admit, it doesn't really roll off the tongue. And for a snake, that is kind of a big deal.

We also had another super successful social hour on Monday. I'll admit, I was a little skeptical when Chip told me the place he booked. I was expecting really bad food and tons of kids running around and screaming, but I was pleasantly surprised. The folks at Main Event gave us a great spot with really yummy food. We had at least 60 people (I lost count) show up and I think a great time was had by all. The pictures below probably don't do justice to this community time. I know I enjoyed talking with several people I had never met before. We consider this to be an incredibly valuable community building event and hope that if you have never joined us at one before you will consider doing so in the future.

The only downside to the trip was that I stayed an extra day to go to the House of Mouse. I was anticipating a serpent friendly Smorgasbord of all kinds of delectable rodents, but I was rather disappointed.