2008-01-30:
January Dinner Meeting: Close to the Edge with Paul Shin

Abstract: Chemical, biological and radiological agents comprise what are now known as “weapons of mass destruction”- a phrase we are all too familiar with. The “unknown white powder” threat has been made at the Mayor’s office and found at Bradley International Terminal at LAX. These are just some of the issues the Los Angeles Police Department’s Hazardous Materials Unit has to handle on a daily basis. The need for accurate and efficient assessment that each and every individual incident requires can often demand knowledge and skill beyond the advanced training these highly skilled officers obtain. As a chemist, Dr. Shin serves as a consultant to the LAPD HazMat Unit and is on call 24/7 to help when unusual circumstances arise or should a routine incident “go south!” Learn about this extraordinary unit of the LAPD and hear about some of the calls he has participated on. Find out why Dr. Shin’s service is both challenging and rewarding as a Specialist Reserve Officer.

Biography: Dr. Paul Shin is a proud “slug” graduate of UC Santa Cruz. He earned his doctorate at Colorado State University and conducted post-doctoral research at UCLA. Paul has worked in both academia and industry and refers to himself as an analytical bioinorganic chemist. His diverse background includes teaching chemistry at the high school through doctoral level. A brief stint in industry as an applications engineer and then sales representative for a major chemical instrumentation company has provided invaluable experience that he relies on for every call. An extensive wet chemistry experience, his comprehensive chemical instrumentation practical knowledge and his commitment to serving his community make Paul an asset as a LAPD HazMat Specialist Reserve Officer.

Cost: There is a choice of Coq au Vin (chicken cooked in red wine sauce with mushrooms and pearl onions) or Beef Bourguignon (tender pieces of beef in burgundy wine mushroom sauce). Vegetarian entrée available upon request. The cost is $30 including wine with dinner, tax, tip, and valet parking.

Reservations: Please call Nancy Paradiso in the Section Office at (310) 327 – 1216 or email office-at-scalacs-dot-org by Monday, January 28th, 2008. Note: Please honor your reservation. If you make a reservation and do not attend, you will be liable for the cost of the luncheon.

Directions: From the 101 Freewary Northbound: Exit Alvarado, right on Alvarado, right on Sunset. From the 101 Southbound: Exit Alvarado, left on Alvarado, right on Sunset.