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Samuel Conway

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Samuel Charles Conway is a versatile American professional known for two very different worlds. In the scientific community, he is a researcher specializing in organic chemistry. Organic chemistry is the study of carbon-based compounds that make up living things and many medicines. In the social world, he is a prominent leader within the furry fandom. He has served as the chairman of Anthrocon, one of the world's largest furry conventions, since 1999. His life combines rigorous scientific study with community leadership and creative storytelling.

Conway's scientific career is built on a deep foundation of academic study. He graduated from Ursinus College in Pennsylvania in 1986. Later, he moved to New Hampshire to study at Dartmouth College. He earned his Ph.D. in chemistry there in 1991. His doctoral thesis focused on the attempted generation of indolyne, which is an aromatic compound related to indole. This specialized research helped prepare him for a long career in the pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries.

Throughout his career, Conway has worked in many different specialized roles. He held a postdoctoral appointment in Chicago after finishing his Ph.D. He worked as a contractor for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). He also served as a researcher for Bionetics and a medicinal chemist for Avid Therapeutics from 1995 to 1997. Later, he worked for Message Pharmaceuticals until 1999. He also spent two years working in organ distribution at the National Disease Research Interchange. From 2001 to 2007, he worked as a regulatory chemist for the crop protection company Cerexagri.

Anthrocon 2007 Kage Bennie Rigel KP Giza closing ceremonies
Anthrocon 2007 Kage Bennie Rigel KP Giza closing ceremonies

Conway has made significant technical contributions through his published research and patents. He has authored eleven professional publications in scientific journals. These include titles like *Heterocycles*, *Water Research*, and *Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy*. He also holds two patents. One patent involves compounds designed to treat hepatitis B when used with lamivudine. The other patent is for a recyclable cellulosic packaging material. This shows his ability to apply chemistry to both medicine and environmental sustainability.

As the chairman of Anthrocon, Conway has managed massive organizational growth. He was invited as a guest of honor in 1998 and became chairman in 1999. Under his leadership, the convention incorporated and moved to Philadelphia. As attendance climbed, the convention moved again to Pittsburgh. In 1999, the convention had 842 attendees. By 2006, that number grew to 2,489. By 2008, the attendance reached 3,390 people.

KageTalksToReportersAC2006
KageTalksToReportersAC2006

Conway acts as the public face of the Anthrocon community. He handles public relations, negotiates hotel contracts, and manages the convention's finances. He also manages media relations, which can be a delicate task. He has historically advised members to be cautious with the media to avoid sensationalist coverage. However, he changed this approach when the convention moved to Pittsburgh in 2006. He began inviting local newspapers, such as the *Pittsburgh Tribune-Review*, to cover the event.

LastBrickOfAdamsMarkAtAuctionAnthrocon2006
LastBrickOfAdamsMarkAtAuctionAnthrocon2006

Beyond administration, Conway is a celebrated entertainer and author. He is known as "Furrydom's Storyteller" and performs "Uncle Kage's Story Hour." He also works as an auctioneer to support wildlife charities. At Anthrocon alone, his auctions have raised over $66,000. As a writer, he has published several short stories in various publications. His story "Six" was even nominated for a 2002 Ursa Major Award.

KageTalksToReportersAC2006
KageTalksToReportersAC2006

Conway has also dedicated much of his time to humanitarian efforts. In 1990, he was a successful experimental bone marrow donor for a four-year-old boy named Mark. This was a landmark case because it was the first involving an unrelated donor. He also used social media to help a local restaurant, Fernando's, stay in business. In 2012, he helped raise over $21,000 through Twitter and YouTube. These actions demonstrate how his skills in communication and organization can serve the wider public.

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