Charles Bolden, NASA Administrator and Joseph Francisco, ACS President Scheduled to Speak at NOBCChE 2010

Washington, DC – January 6, 2010 – The National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE) announces its 37th Annual Conference March 29 – April 2, 2010, in Atlanta, Georgia.


The conference, “NOBCChE 2010 – SUSTAINABILITY” fosters collaborations and strategic partnerships between minority scientists in academia, government, and industry. It will be held at the Marriott Marquis Hotel, Atlanta, Georgia.

“NOBCChE 2010 – SUSTAINABILITY”, provides a forum for minority scientists and engineers, offering technical sessions, exhibitions, professional development workshops, awards and recognitions, student competitions and networking opportunities. Keynote speakers include:


Charles F. Bolden, Jr., NASA Administrator nominated by President Barack Obama and confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the twelfth Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. As Administrator, he leads the NASA team and manages its resources to advance the agency's missions and goals;

Dr. Joseph Francisco, President of the American Chemical Society (ACS) is also a William E. Moore Distinguished Professor of Earth & Atmospheric Science & Chemistry at Purdue University. In his current role as President of ACS – Dr. Francisco is only the second African-American to hold this position.


The annual conference also supports the mission of NOBCChE to prepare young people to excel academically and to pursue careers in science and technology. In support of this mission, the conference will host the 22nd NOBCChE Annual Science Bowl and Science Fair competitions for middle and high school students, as well as an undergraduate research competition.