The Lehigh Valley Section of the American Chemical Society (ACS), in partnership with Lehigh University, will present the 4th annual Ned D. Heindel Lecture on Tuesday, November 17, 2026, at Lehigh’s Mountaintop Campus.
This year’s keynote address, titled "A Career in Drug Discovery," will be delivered by Nicholas Meanwell, a scientist, innovator, and entrepreneur at the Baruch S. Blumberg Institute.
The Ned D. Heindel lecture was established to honor the memory of the late Ned D. Heindel, professor emeritus of chemistry, who passed away in 2023 at age 85. Heindel was a former national president of the American Chemical Society. The award recognizes leaders in medicinal chemistry who demonstrate outstanding scientific innovation and dedication to mentorship.
Meanwell brings more than four decades of expertise in drug design and discovery, leaving an indelible mark on the field through a prolific record of research and leadership. Over the course of his distinguished career, he has authored or co-authored more than 300 scientific publications, book chapters, and reviews, while securing 144 issued U.S. patents. His major contributions have earned him prominent industry honors, including induction into the ACS Division of Medicinal Chemistry Hall of Fame in 2015, designation as an ACS Fellow in 2022, and the 2022 Alfred Burger Award in Medicinal Chemistry. Recognized both nationally and internationally, he is a two-time co-recipient of the ACS "Heroes of Chemistry" Award (2017, 2023) and was awarded the 2024 Antonín Holý Memorial Award by the International Society for Antiviral Research. Beyond his scientific breakthroughs, Dr. Meanwell actively shapes the discipline through his role as an Associate Editor for the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry.
The event will take place in the Wood Dining Room at Lehigh University's Mountaintop Campus.
- 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Social Hour
- 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Dinner
- 7:00 PM – 7:30 PM: Section Business Meeting & Awards Presentation
- 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM: Ned D. Heindel Lecture
Admission is $25 for ACS members; $15 for students, retirees, and unemployed attendees.
Registration is required: register HERE by Nov 10.
Founded in 1876 and chartered by the U.S. Congress, the American Chemical Society (ACS) is a non-profit organization committed to advancing scientific knowledge and championing scientific integrity. With more than 230,000 members worldwide, ACS is dedicated to improving lives through the transforming power of chemistry.