Event Highlights

ARCS Foundation Atlanta Chapter wrapped up its year by holding its annual meeting and luncheon on May 11 at the Piedmont Driving Club. Following Board Member reports and the introduction of the Board of Directors Slate for 2016-2017, Chapter President Jane Dolinger concluded the business portion of the meeting by turning the gavel over to incoming President Sara Jean Burke. Atlanta Chapter members and guests enjoyed chatting over a lovely lunch until the highlight of the gathering: a panel discussion with four current ARCS Scholars -- Anastasia Bobilev (UGA), Kerri Lynn Coon (UGA), Jason Frieman (Georgia Tech), and Jessica Petree (Emory University). Each of the presentations reinforced the commitment of audience members to the mission of ARCS Foundation and reminded them of potential outcomes of advancing science in America.

On Wednesday, March 30, the Atlanta Chapter of ARCS Foundation honored its Century level donors and above at its second annual Donor Appreciation Reception. Emory University President Jim Wagner and Debbie Wagner hosted the event at the Miller-Ward Alumni House on the Emory University campus. Attendees included current Emory University ARCS Scholars, advisors, and Dr. Michael Zwick, Assistant Professor in the Departments of Human Genetics and Pediatrics at Emory University, Assistant Dean of Research at the Emory University School of Medicine, and Assistant Vice President for Research at the Robert W. Woodruff Health Sciences Center. Dr. Zwick, an ARCS Scholar at the University of California at Davis during the 1997-1998 academic year, described the importance of the financial support and encouragement provided by ARCS Foundation to our nation's future scientists. Donors enjoyed the beautiful setting, the delicious refreshments and, most of all, having an opportunity to chat informally with ARCS Scholars, Emory University professors and administrators, and each other.

Photos courtesy of Emory University

On March 2, 2016, the University of Georgia helped ARCS Foundation Atlanta Chapter kick off its yearlong 25th anniversary celebration in style by hosting Chapter members at its Athens, Georgia campus. Provost Pamela Whitten welcomed the group and expressed UGA's appreciation of the support provided by ARCS Foundation over the years. Three ARCS Scholar presentations followed:

Anastasia Bobilev, a Franklin Foundation Neuroimaging Fellow and Ph.D. candidate in Neuroscience, discussed the PAX6 gene, a transcription factor in brain and eye development, and its role in human brain structure and auditory processing function.

Kerri Coon, a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Entomology, presented her research on how gut bacteria contribute to the development and reproduction of disease-transmitting mosquitoes. Comments related to the Zika virus were especially timely.

Jeremy Yatvin, a Ph.D. candidate in Chemistry, introduced his work on antimicrobial surfaces and their mechanism of action, as well as the grafting of fire retardant materials.

Another highlight of the day occurred when President Jere Morehead hosted everyone at an elegant luncheon that included remarks from ARCS Atlanta Chapter President Jane Dolinger and Dr. Toby Graham, University Librarian and Associate Provost.

Attendees to this event wish to thank all involved for their time and generosity, and the wildflower honey from the UGA Honey Bee Farm!

Photos courtesy of UGA

The Atlanta Chapter of ARCS Foundation held its annual Fall Cocktail Party on Sunday, September 27th, the night of the Super Blood Moon eclipse! Although it had rained earlier in the day, more than 100 members and guests were able to spend the lovely fall evening together mingling outdoors. Chapter President, Jane Dolinger, welcomed everyone and thanked our hosts, Leslie and Skip Petter, for their generosity and willingness to share their home with us once again. The remainder of the program focused on VP for Membership, Sally Hinkle, who introduced our special guests: 7 of the Chapter's 8 new members.

Photos by Randy McDow, Atlanta, GA

ARCS Foundation Atlanta Chapter held its annual meeting and luncheon on May 13 at the Piedmont Driving Club. The traditional close to the year began with Chapter President, Jane Dolinger, congratulating the 2014-2015 Board members on a job well done: “Each committee report illustrates once again how dynamic, productive, and successful our Chapter is at building support for outstanding scholars in science and technology.”

The highlight of the event consisted of brief presentations by four of Atlanta Chapter’s current scholars, each representing a different academic partner. Jessica Knight of Emory University, talked about her research on the long-term effects of congenital heart disease. Temi Olubanjo, a fourth year electrical engineering student at Georgia
Tech, reported on her work toward developing of a piece of “wearable technology” that will be able to estimate the amount and texture of food being consumed to assist in reaching a healthy balance between energy intake and expenditure. Steven Summers, a chemistry major who graduates from Morehouse College this year, described a summer research project which focused on a peptide hormone known to regulate body weight and appetite, and play a role in the regulation of autonomic physiological activities that control blood pressure. Finally, Farah Samli, a first year ARCS scholar studying infectious disease at the University of Georgia, has focused her research on vaccines.

On April 1, 2015, Georgia Tech President G.P. ‘Bud’ Peterson and First Lady, Valerie, opened the historic Georgia Tech President’s Residence to honor ARCS Foundation Atlanta Chapter Century level and above donors. In addition to the donors, celebrants included current Georgia Tech ARCS Scholars and distinguished scholar alumnus, Dr. Alejandro Toriello.

Val Peterson, ARCS Atlanta member and past president of the ARCS Foundation Denver Chapter, spoke of Bud’s and her enthusiasm for Georgia Tech, the city of Atlanta, and their continuing support of our organization. Jane Dolinger, Atlanta Chapter President, introduced the scholars and briefly recapped Atlanta Chapter successes: awarding over $3.8 million to almost 380 scholars over 23 years; and, committing to award $345,000 to 48 scholars at our 2015 Scholar Luncheon. Dr. Toriello, now a Georgia Tech Assistant Professor, spoke about his work in the field of industrial engineering focused on the mathematical optimization of supply chain and logistics management. He affirmed how important his scholar award was to his academic success.

Funds Development Chair, Nancy Chambers, and her committee, including Anne Easterly, Libby Jones, Sally McDaniel, Frances Swensson, Sherry Lundeen, Mitzi Hill, Sarah Batts, Lee Doyle, Lisa Bankoff and Robin King organized the inaugural Donor Appreciation Event. The location and perfect springtime weather provided an ideal setting for mingling and discussions among members, scholars, donors, and hosts.

Photos by Kimberly Link, Atlanta, GA