Alumni

UCR Chemistry Alumnus Richard R. Schrock wins the 2005 Chemistry Nobel Prize !

Anonymous — Thu, 10 Oct 2019 11:42:19 +0000

UCR Chemistry Alumnus Richard R. Schrock wins the 2005 Chemistry Nobel Prize ! Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 10/10/2019 - 04:42 More News October 05, 2005

RIVERSIDE, Calif — UC Riverside alumnus Richard R. Schrock has won the 2005 Nobel Prize in chemistry. Schrock graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in chemistry from UCR in 1967.

Schrock won the Nobel Prize for the development of a chemical reaction now used daily in the chemical industry for the efficient and more environmentally friendly production of important pharmaceuticals, fuels, synthetic fibers and many other products.

"UCR congratulates Dr. Schrock, who is among our most distinguished alumni," Chancellor France Córdova said. "He is a shining example of the outstanding quality of our undergraduate degree recipients and the faculty who nurture them."

Schrock, the Frederick G. Keyes Professor of Chemistry at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, shares the prize with Yves Chauvin of the Institut Français du Pétrole and Robert H. Grubbs of Caltech "for the development of the metathesis method in organic synthesis." Each will share one third of the $1.3 million prize money that accompanies the award.

In metathesis reactions, molecules exchange fragments under the influence of a catalyst, which is a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction, but remains unchanged itself. Double bonds between carbon atoms are broken and made in a manner akin to a dance in which the dancers swap partners.

Together, the laureates' contributions "have already assumed major significance in the chemicals industry, opening up new opportunities for synthesizing molecules that will streamline the development and industrial production of pharmaceuticals, plastics and other materials," according to the Nobel committee.

Thanks to the work of the laureates, production is also cheaper and more environmentally friendly, an MIT press release notes. Catalytic metathesis shortens the synthesis routes for these materials, which means fewer byproducts. Further, the control made possible by the reaction allows more efficient manipulation of raw materials.

Chris Reed, Distinguished Professor of chemistry and a contemporary of Schrock, once served on a National Institutes of Health committee with him. “Richard is an excellent scholar and a testament to UCR’s Department of Chemistry,” Reed said. “The department has known of his work for a long time, recognized its importance and invited him to our campus on several occasions.” Schrock served as the department’s Bryan Kohler Memorial Lecturer in 2003.

Having become interested in chemistry at the age of eight when his brother gave him a chemistry set, Schrock, 60, began serious scientific work as a UCR undergraduate, engaging himself in physical chemistry. He then went to Harvard University, where he received his Ph.D. in 1971. He spent a year as a National Science Foundation postdoctoral fellow at Cambridge University followed by three years at the Central Research and Development Department of E.I. duPont de Nemours and Co. before joining the MIT faculty in 1975.

He is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the National Academy of Sciences. He was associate editor of Organometallics for eight years and has published more than 400 research papers.

While at MIT, Schrock was a Camille and Henry Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar (1978-1983) and a recipient of an Alfred P. Sloan Fellowship (1976-1978). In 1996 he received the American Chemical Society Award in Inorganic Chemistry for his efforts to develop cleaner and more efficient ways to manufacture chemicals. In addition, he has received the ACS Award in Organometallic Chemistry (1985), the Harrison Howe Award of the Rochester ACS section (1990), an Alexander von Humboldt Award (1995), the Bailar Medal from the University of Illinois (1998), an ACS Cope Scholar Award (2001) and the Sir Geoffrey Wilkinson Medal (2002).

Schrock was born Jan. 4, 1945, in Berne, Ind. He and his wife, Nancy F. Carlson, have two children.

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Dr. Ricardo Morales (Ph. D. UCR 07) appointed Assistant Professor at the University of La Verne

Anonymous — Thu, 10 Oct 2019 11:40:17 +0000

Dr. Ricardo Morales (Ph. D. UCR 07) appointed Assistant Professor at the University of La Verne Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 10/10/2019 - 04:40 More News January 01, 2007

In the fall of 2007, he joined the Department of Chemistry at the University of La Verne as Assistant Professor. At this position, he has taught a large number of courses, including: General Chemistry I & II, Analytical Chemistry (Theory & Lab), Inorganic Chemistry, Instrumental Analysis (Theory & Lab), Physical Chemistry I & II (Theory & Lab).

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UCI Prof. Barbara Finlayson-Pitts (UCR Ph.D. 1975) has been awarded the Tolman Medal

Anonymous — Thu, 10 Oct 2019 11:27:27 +0000

UCI Prof. Barbara Finlayson-Pitts (UCR Ph.D. 1975) has been awarded the Tolman Medal Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 10/10/2019 - 04:27 More News January 01, 2007

Barbara J. Finlayson-Pitts was awarded Tolman Medal on 2007. The Tolman Medal is awarded each year by the Southern California Section of the American Chemical Society in recognition of outstanding contributions to chemistry. These contributions may include achievements in fundamental studies; achievements in chemical technology; significant contributions to chemical education; or outstanding leadership in science on a national level. The nominee need not be a Southern California resident; however, most of the award-related accomplishments must have been made in this area.

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Willian H. Fenical, `68 Ph.D., has been honored with an UCR Alumni Award

Anonymous — Thu, 10 Oct 2019 11:25:21 +0000

Willian H. Fenical, `68 Ph.D., has been honored with an UCR Alumni Award Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 10/10/2019 - 04:25 More News April 11, 2007

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Zhen Ma (UCR PhD 2008) Associate Professor at Fudan University

Anonymous — Thu, 10 Oct 2019 11:23:08 +0000

Zhen Ma (UCR PhD 2008) Associate Professor at Fudan University Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 10/10/2019 - 04:23 More News December 01, 2009

Zhen Ma (UCR PhD with Zaera in 2008) has been appointed Associate Professor at Department of Environmental Science and Engineering at Fudan University in Shanghai, one of the top five Chinese Universities.

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Charles Thompson - 2012 AAAS Fellow

Anonymous — Thu, 10 Oct 2019 11:21:24 +0000

Charles Thompson - 2012 AAAS Fellow Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 10/10/2019 - 04:21 More News December 01, 2012

In October 2012, the AAAS Council elected 701 members as Fellows of AAAS. These individuals will be recognized for their contributions to science and technology at the Fellows Forum to be held on 16 February 2013 during the AAAS Annual Meeting in Boston, Massachusetts. Among the recipients is Dr. Charles Thompson, a Ph.D. UCR Alumni and currently Professor of Medicinal Chemistry at the University of Montana.

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Dr. Tas Dienes

Anonymous — Thu, 10 Oct 2019 11:17:02 +0000

Dr. Tas Dienes Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 10/10/2019 - 04:17 More News January 01, 2013

Dr. Tas Dienes is currently Chief Technology Officer at SmartAction, a software company providing intelligent call automation systems via a software-as-a-service (SAAS) model. SmartAction provides an automated system that answers phone calls for other companies, and it uses artificial intelligence to do so in a much smarter, friendlier, and more helpful way than the common and annoying touchtone menu driven systems with which everyone is familiar. Most of his work is centered on connecting the AI “brains” to the real world – building the infrastructure that they run on, and getting phone calls and data in and out of them.

SmartAction was started in 2009 for the purpose of commercializing the artificial intelligence technology that has been developed over the previous several years by the parent company, Adaptive AI, Inc. Their ultimate goal is to continue developing the AI technology to make it ever more intelligent and more useful, and to develop other commercial products around this technology in the future.

Previously Tas was CTO of Forval International, a startup which developed an all-in-one network server for small businesses. While at UCR, he was co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of I/O Software, a company which developed information security software that enabled companies to use biometric authentication devices and cryptographic tokens to secure access to computer systems and applications.

Tas completed his Ph.D. in analytical chemistry at UCR in 2002 in the research group of Dr. Kim Prather, working on the design, construction, and characterization of the first field-portable aerosol time-of-flight mass spectrometers (ATOFMS).

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Dr. Ryan Pedigo

Anonymous — Thu, 10 Oct 2019 11:15:19 +0000

Dr. Ryan Pedigo Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 10/10/2019 - 04:15 More News January 01, 2013

Dr. Ryan Pedigo graduated from UC Riverside in 2008, receiving his B.A. in Chemistry. During his time at UC Riverside, he taught chemistry through the Learning Center and also participated in research in Dr. Francisco Zaera's lab. Upon graduating, he was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa and received the Rosemary S.J. Schraer Award for his academic achievement and contributions to the campus. Subsequently, he attended the UCR/UCLA Thomas Haider program in pursuit of his doctorate degree. There, he was president of the Student Run Health Clinic, a clinic serving Riverside County that provides no-cost services to those in need. He received his M.D. from UCLA in June 2012, was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society, and is now a resident physician in Emergency Medicine at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in Torrance, CA.

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Sarah Totten

Anonymous — Thu, 10 Oct 2019 11:10:26 +0000

Sarah Totten Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 10/10/2019 - 04:10 More News February 01, 2013

I attended UCR from 2004 to 2009 and majored in chemistry. Studying chemistry at UCR was stimulating and presented a lot of opportunities to participate in undergraduate research. It was here I discovered I had a knack for analytical chemistry and began doing research in Professor Larive’s bioanalytical lab where I learned a variety of analytical techniques and their application to biomolecules. While being involved in research at UCR, I learned of many other types of programs and opportunities out there for undergraduates to participate in scientific research, such as the National Science Foundation’s Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) programs. It was through this program that I was able to participate in analytical chemistry research at the University of Cincinnati in Ohio in the summer of 2008.

Being involved in research as an undergraduate inspired me to pursue a PhD degree in analytical chemistry. Having undergraduate research experience was key to succeeding in the graduate program at the University of California Davis where I am currently studying. Under the mentorship of Prof. Carlito Lebrilla, I develop mass spectrometry based methods for the analysis of glycans. My research has focused on milk glycomics, which involves the extraction, identification, and quantitation of the free oligosaccharides and glycoproteins that are present in human breast milk. Nearing the end of my fourth year of study, I am excited to see what the future holds! Currently my career goal is to continue with academic research as a postdoctoral researcher in the field of analytical chemistry, specifically in mass spectrometry, with application to glycomics and proteomics in nutrition and food sciences.

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Dr. Dennis Owsley

Anonymous — Thu, 10 Oct 2019 10:52:27 +0000

Dr. Dennis Owsley Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 10/10/2019 - 03:52 More News March 01, 2013

UCR Alumni Dr. Dennis Owsley received his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry under the direction of Prof. George Helmkamp. After his graduation he started work at Monsanto in St. Louis where over the next 27 years he participated in successful projects in photochemistry, gas phase/solid state chemistry, process chemistry and discovery, enzyme inhibitors, microbiology, and protein chemistry. He also taught college level chemistry as an adjunct professor in the 1970’s and 1980’s. In 1996, Dr. Owsley retired from Monsanto as a Senior Science Fellow, 1 of 30 individuals to hold that position. He has had a parallel career since 1983 in jazz radio and will achieve 30 years of bringing a jazz radio show, “Jazz Unlimited” to St. Louis on St. Louis Public Radio 90.7 FM. His show has won “Best in St. Louis” six of the last eight years. He also published a book, “City of Gabriels: The Jazz History of St. Louis 1895-1974” in 2006 which has won a national award. Dr. Owsley is also known for his photography of jazz musicians that have landed in album covers, photo exhibits, websites and a music textbook. Occasionally, he writes pieces for St. Louis Magazine and the St. Louis Beacon. On a final note, he has always said, “People trained as organic chemists can do anything” and Dr. Owsley has aptly demonstrated that ideal.

You can visit Dr Owsley’s websites at the url’s listed below:

Radio - http://www.news.stlpublicradio.org/programs/jazz-unlimited

Photography - http://www.umsl.edu/~owsleydc/

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