Kalamazoo Section of the
American Chemical Society
Our mission is to advance the broader chemistry enterprise and its practitioners for the benefit of Allegan, Kalamazoo, and Van Buren counties.
KACS is committed to improving people’s lives in our community through the transforming power of chemistry.
Elements of Kalamazoo Movie link (YouTube)
Our Monthly Newsletter Keeps You Informed
Here are some of our latest articles:
2026 KACS Awards Ceremony Summary
This year, the 2026 KACS Awards Gathering was held on May 11th at WMED Innovation Center. The event was attended by members, students, awardees, and guests from across the Kalamazoo area.
The gathering once again provided an opportunity for the Kalamazoo Section to recognize excellence in chemistry and to celebrate the accomplishments of students, educators, and long-standing members of the American Chemical Society. A highlight of the evening was hearing directly from several 50- and 60-year members, who shared insights into their career paths. Their stories illustrated how their experiences have shaped their development and reinforced their commitment to the chemical sciences.
Southwest Michigan Chemistry Network Visits Pfizer
We give a hearty thank you to Carl Stachew and his colleagues for an exciting tour of the Pfizer lab facilities in Portage on May 13. Carl is a founding member and co-chair of our Southwest Michigan Chemistry Network (SWMCN) in partnership with Pfizer, Kalamazoo College, and Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency (KRESA). Our tour included local high school instructors and was led by principal scientists Robert Ingalls and Dr. Viraj Thanthirige.
KACS Retiree Makes Impact with Butterfly Research
A shout-out to one of our long-time KACS members, Ilse Gebhard, who in her retirement has been making an impact with her research in the world of butterflies …