International symposium to honour late chemistry professor

Nov 25, 2005

A range of international speakers and scientists will converge on the University of Wollongong next week (28-30 November) to participate in the Halpern Symposium.

The conference will celebrate the life and legacy of Bert Halpern - the former Foundation Professor of the Department of Chemistry who had research interests in biological applications of mass spectrometry, organic synthesis and drug design.

Now 25 years since the death of Professor Halpern, the University continues to honour his memory and contributions to science through an annual lecture presented by a distinguished scientist.

This lecture will be the central feature of the conference next week and will be presented by Professor Roger Summons -- Professor of Geobiology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the United States.

Professor Summons studied his Bachelor of Science and PhD in Chemistry at Wollongong University College (then part of the University of NSW) and worked for 18 years at the Australian Geological Survey Organisation where he was a member and then leader of a research team studying the distinctive nature and habitat of Australian petroleum systems and the evolution of the biogeochemical carbon cycle.

The conference will also feature guest speakers from institutions including UOW, University of California at Santa Barbara, University of Kiel, University of Manchester, and a number of Australian universities.

Speakers will discuss the advances in mass spectrometry technology, of which Professor Halpern was a pioneer. He developed a computer controlled quadruple mass spectrometer and applied gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS) techniques to screen for inborn metabolic disorders.

While at Wollongong, he also developed methodology to sequence protein using a combination of simple chemistry and GC-MS.

The symposium is presented by UOW's Department of Chemistry and jointly supported by the Australian and New Zealand Society for Mass Spectrometry and the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (Organic, NSW).

When: The Halpern lecture is from 6-7pm on Monday 28 November

Where: UniCentre Function Rooms

Cost: The lecture is FREE and open to the public

**Media please note: Photo/filming/interview opportunities will be available at 9am on Monday when Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Margaret Sheil, officially opens the Halpern Symposium in the UniCentre Function rooms.

For further information: Contact Associate Professor Will Price on 4221 3509.

For more information, contact:

media@uow.edu.au
University of Wollongong
Ph: (02) 4221 5942; fax (02) 4221 3128