Recap: 28th Annual GC&E Conference

[ACSGCI]

By ACS Green Chemistry Institute

It’s hard to believe it’s been over a month since we gathered in Atlanta and online for the 28th Annual Green Chemistry & Engineering Conference to explore AI-Enabled Green Chemistry. We welcomed 910 participants over six days of technical, social, and service-oriented programming. Here are some highlights from this year's event!

By ACS Green Chemistry Institute

It’s hard to believe it’s been over a month since we gathered in Atlanta and online for the 28th Annual Green Chemistry & Engineering Conference to explore AI-Enabled Green Chemistry. A big thank you to our conference co-chairs, Jared Piper (Pfizer) and Alexi Lapkin (University of Cambridge); our organizing committee and session organizers; our sponsors and exhibitors; and not least, our 910 participants.

2024 Highlights

A large contingent of students and ACS staff gathered on the Saturday before the conference to participate in our first GC&E Service Project with the West Atlanta Watershed Alliance. We discussed connections between chemistry and environmental justice issues while helping remove invasive plant species from a local forest.

Teams of students collaborated on a toxicology-focused project during the AI Hackathon

On Sunday, the AI Hackathon, a thematically aligned workshop, took place. Student teams worked with a dataset to develop predictive models for chemical toxicity. Graduate students from the University of Cambridge guided participants throughout the day and teams presented their final results at the close of the event—with one team recognized for their outstanding efforts.

The first GC&E Awards Ceremony and dinner brought attendees together during the opening night of the conference to bring recognition to shining stars of the green chemistry community with awards presented to outstanding educators, industrial innovators, and excellent student researchers.

ACS GCI’s Isamir Martinez (left) presented representatives from the Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) Sustainability Team with the first-ever Data Sciences and Modeling Award for Green Chemistry at the GC&E Awards Ceremony

Starting on the first “official” day of the conference, dynamic Keynotes kicked off each morning's programming. This year’s plenary session speakers were Prof. Alexei Lapkin (University of Cambridge), Anna Marie Wagner (Ginkgo Bioworks), and the ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering Lectureship winners, Prof. Federico Bella (Politecnico di Torino), Prof. Marta C. Hatzell (Georgia Tech), and Prof. Hui Zhou (Tsinghua University).

Technical sessions, poster sessions, and workshops —including all-day workshops, “Knowledge Transfer and Common Metrics: How Can We Achieve Circular Polymers” and “Teaching Green Chemistry: Systems Thinking, Assessments, and Curricular Design”—were the heart of the conference. Judges of the student poster competition recognized excellent posters. You can still watch the archived recordings of the hybrid sessions and keynotes on the virtual platform. Login to view these before they expire!

Engaging technical sessions ranged from talks on computer-aided design to environmental justice and from improved manufacturing processes to the future of chemistry education

The Green Expo engaged participants in learning about organizations, businesses, and university offerings, while the Innovation Hub introduced green chemistry tools through hands on displays. Many attendees enjoyed trying their luck at the Molecular Maker Lab Institute’s Escape Room, where they had to work side by side with AI to unlock clues to synthesize a molecule and reboot lab 217. 

Networking and social events at GC&E included morning Yoga in the Garden, a Fun Run, a BIPOC luncheon, and a gathering at Coca-Cola World in downtown Atlanta. There were plenty of opportunities to make connections.

Attendees enjoyed networking and refreshments at the Industry Roundtable Poster ReceptionThe Green Chemistry for Sustainability site was also launched at GC&E and many attendees signed up. We invite everyone to use this platform to continue to form connections, share resources and events, and explore the green chemistry toolkit.

Save the Date!

Every year, the ACS GCI team looks forward to the GC&E, with its energizing and inspiring days packed full of amazing people, research, and ideas.

We can't wait to welcome you to the 29th Annual GC&E Conference! Next year’s meeting will take place June 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Look out for updates on calls for symposia, venue information, and more details coming soon!

After a busy day at the GC&E Service Project removing invasive plant species, students relaxed and connected in downtown Atlanta during the Student Networking Reception

Photography by Next Level Photo Video