Cleveland Poison Symposia| Event
The Dark Side of Chemistry” co-sponsored by Lake Erie College and the American Chemical Society
One Night Only: November 2, 2023
On November 2, for one night only, Lake Erie College and members of the American Chemical Society will sponsor the first event in a series of special topic symposia on the history, usage, and power of special poisons. Experts representing higher education, corporations, government, and research will reflect on the topic of arsenic, its power and many uses, and the role it played in local history as part of the Cleveland Mousetrap. This 1918 chemical weapons facility was built in Willoughby and may likely be the first Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) factory in the world.
The symposia includes a special presentation at 5 p.m. on the LEC campus for the Choose Ohio First STEMM Scholars and all interested students. The community is welcome to attend this FREE event, featuring speakers from The Poison Book Project, an interdisciplinary research initiative at Winterthur Museum and the University of Delaware.
The evening’s agenda brings a walking tour of Willoughby with experts stationed at three popular eateries to discuss and explain the power of poisons and their use in world culture. Some costs may apply.
November 2 Agenda 5:00-5:45 p.m. The Poison Book Project – Dr. Rosie Grayburn, Lead Scientist & Dr. Melissa Tedone, Lead Conservator, co-chair an interdisciplinary research initiative at Winterthur Museum and the University of Delaware. Location: Austin Hall, LEC Campus, Painesville. Special presentation for LEC’s Choose Ohio First STEMM Scholars, all students, and is FREE and open to the public.
6:00 p.m. The History of Arsenic – Mike Fricke, Akron ACS Arsenic Poisoning – Michael Kenney, Cleveland ACS Location: “Spirits in Willoughby,” 3872 Erie St., Willoughby (park for the night)
7:30 p.m. Arsenic in Foods – Kevin Kubachka, US FDA Arsenic Analysis by ICP-MS - Abe Gutierrez, Agilent Location: "Nora's Public House," 4054 Erie St., Willoughby (0.2 miles from Spirits)
9:00 p.m. Before Manhattan: The Dew of Death – Reid Kirby, Z-Day Center The Poison Book Project – Dr. Melissa Tedone, U of Delaware Location: "The Wild Goose," 4144 Erie St., Willoughby (0.1 miles from Nora's)
About American Chemical Society Founded in 1876 and chartered by the U.S. Congress, it is one of the world’s largest scientific organizations with more than 173,000 individuals in our global community across 140 countries. It is a champion for chemistry, with a mission to advance the broader chemistry enterprise and its practitioners for the benefit of Earth and all its people.
About Lake Erie College Guided by hope and care, our students are empowered to lead lives of personal significance and professional success as global citizens. We offer 35 undergraduate majors and master’s programs in business administration, professional studies, education, and physician assistant studies. Our students compete in 19 NCAA Division II varsity sports and on three intercollegiate equestrian teams.