CHAMPAIGN,Ill. — Four University of Illinois chemistry professors are among the 192 distinguished scientists elected 2010 fellows of the American Chemical Society. Peter Beak, Theodore Brown, Jeffrey Moore and Kenneth Suslick were recognized by their peers for their outstanding contributions to the field of chemistry and to ACS.
Beak, the James R. Eiszner Endowed Emeritus Chair in Chemistry, investigates reaction pathways. A leader in physical organic chemistry, Beak has advanced the characterization and understanding of organic reactions. He has made significant contributions to stereochemistry through his study of reaction geometry at nonstereogenic atoms. He also is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Brown, an emeritus professor of chemistry, was the founding director of the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology at Illinois. He has been an active leader and adviser within the scientific community, including service on the ACS Governing Board for publishing and co-chairing a National Academy committee on interdisciplinary research. His research group pioneered several research areas in organometallic chemistry. He has written books on philosophical, social and cognitive aspects of science and co-wrote a best-selling general chemistry text.
Moore, the Murchison-Mallory Professor of Chemistry, is an alumnus of the U. of I. who returned to join the faculty.
His research focuses on large organic molecules and polymers in three main areas: macromolecule construction, self-healing polymers, and materials for energy storage. He also is a professor of materials science and engineering, a member of the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology and a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Suslick, the Marvin T. Schmidt professor of chemistry, has made advances in the study of the chemical effects of ultrasound waves, such as nano-materials synthesis and sonoluminescence, including plasma formation in imploding bubbles. His team also is at the forefront of chemical sensing, and developed an artificial “nose” capable of molecular recognition. He also is a professor of materials science and engineering and a member of the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology.
Inaugurated in 2009, the fellows program recognizes those among the 161,000 ACS members who have made exceptional achievements in both science and society. The world’s largest professional society, ACS will honor the 2010 fellows at its annual meeting in Boston on Aug. 23.