Sara Narayan, Ph.D., a former Professor of Chemistry at Stevenson University is pleased to announce the 48th anniversary of the Student Awards Ceremony (SAC), taking place on Sunday, April 19, from 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM at the Knott Science Center Lounge, Notre Dame of Maryland University. The event will be hosted by Dr. Jason Labonte, Assistant Professor of Chemistry at NDM. As chair of the Student Awards Committee, Dr. Narayan is honored to oversee this distinguished event.
Join us as we recognize and celebrate the achievements of outstanding students in chemistry with an afternoon of inspiring speeches, awards presentations, and a formal lunch. This ceremony serves to highlight the dedication and hard work of talented chemistry students. We eagerly anticipate your presence on this special occasion.
Join us for the 2026 ACS Student Awards Ceremony 48th Anniversary
featuring a talk by Dr. Sandra Kay Young titled
Career Opportunities for Young Scientists Around the World
April 19, 2026
11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Notre Dame of Maryland University, Knott Science Center Lounge
Speaker Biography
Dr. Sandra Young is currently a contracts and supply chain specialist with LufCo, a software and materials engineering solutions company in Aberdeen, MD. In June 2025, she returned to the U.S. after a six-year stint in Japan, where she served as the head of the U.S. Army’s Basic and Applied Research Office. In that role, she regularly met with scientists, engineers, and students throughout Asia, Southeast Asia, and Oceania, discussing their research, establishing collaborations with scientists back in the US and, sometimes, funding their research.
Dr. Young has wide-ranging previous experience in hands-on STEM education, scientific strategy, and science through small and large-scale materials development. She previously served as an advisor at the Pentagon for basic research programs and managed the Engineering and Scientist Exchange Program for the US Army. Dr Young also taught undergraduate chemistry for 15 years. Early in her career, she participated in a young scientist exchange with the UK and has been a long-time advocate for internships and mentoring programs. As a dedicated member of the American Chemical Society, Dr. Young has twice served as chair of the Maryland Section, where she also led various outreach programs. She was selected as an ACS Fellow in 2016.
Dr. Young believes deeply in continuous learning, mentoring and harnessing change to make career pivots. Her presentation today is titled “Career Opportunities for Young Scientists Around the World.”
Questions? Contact the organizing committee:
Dr. Sara Narayan
Former Professor of Chemistry
Stevenson University
snarayan5@yahoo.com
410-967-9525
Dr. Jason Labonte
Assistant Professor at NDM
Knott Science (KNO) 235
jlabonte@ndm.edu
410-532-5713
Directions
To reach Knott Hall Science Center at Notre Dame of Maryland University, follow these directions:
- Start on I-95 and take exit 47 for I-695 toward Towson.
- Merge onto I-695 and continue for about 10 miles.
- Take exit 30B to merge onto I-95 South toward Washington.
- Take exit 47 for MD-295 South toward Washington.
- Continue on MD-295 and take the exit for I-95 South.
- Follow signs for Notre Dame University and enter the campus.
- Knott Hall Science Center will be on your right; look for campus signage.
Parking
There are 5 small and medium parking areas around the Science Center building. See the map below for 4 best places to park.