Olympiad

California Institute of Technology chemistry professor and Nobel Laureate Ahmed H. Zewail will serve as president of the 44th International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO), to be held at the University of Maryland, College Park, in July 2012. Zewail is shown (from left) with University of Pennsylvania chemistry professor Madeleine M. Joullié, ACS Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer Madeleine Jacobs, and Temple University medicinal chemistry professor Magid Abou-Gharbia at the Chemical Heritage Foundation, where Zewail recently received the Othmer Gold Medal. Begun in 1968, IChO is a chemistry competition for high school students representing more than 70 countries. In 1992, the U.S. hosted the 24th IChO. "After 20 years, the U.S. is delighted to host this prestigious event again in 2012," says Arden P. Zipp, chair of the U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad Subcommittee. "Professor Zewail's international stature as a researcher and educator will add immeasurably to the prestige of this global event." As president, Zewail's duties include delivering remarks at the opening and closing ceremonies, presenting medals to winners during the closing ceremony, and signing official letters of invitation to participating countries.