American Chemical Society honors three chemistry professors

Three Arts and Science professors have been named to the American Chemical Society's (ACS) 2009 Fellows Program. The new program recognizes members of the ACS for "outstanding achievements in and contributions to science, the profession, and the society." Excellence in multiple activities are required for election as a fellow. The inaugural class of fellows will be recognized at the ACS national meeting in Washington, D.C., in August 2009. The society selected 162 members for this honor from a membership of 154,000.

M. Frederick Hawthorne

As a child, Hawthorne had an interest in chemistry. His education began at the Missouri School of Mines, in Rolla in 1943, where he studied chemical engineering. He received a bachelor's degree from Pomona College in 1947 and a doctorate from UCLA in 1953. Hawthorne began teaching at UCLA in 1968, was awarded the title University Professor in 1998 – the most distinguished title for faculty – where he continued to teach until 2006. For the past three years, he has served as the director of the new International Institute for Nano and Molecular Medicine and as professor of radiology, chemistry, and physics at MU.

Hawthorne has led in the creation of the field of polyhedral borane chemistry. An ongoing objective is the development of boron neutron capture therapy of cancer (BNCT). In the next few months, Hawthorne and his team will test mice to determine if the compounds used will be effective in treating cancerous tumors. If they are, the team will test terminally ill dogs with tumors and, if successful, will conduct a clinical trial with patients from Ellis Fischel Cancer Center. Hawthorne estimates the minimal time frame to be five years to get to this point. He is grateful to be back in Missouri – where he began his education – to conduct these trials.

"Columbia is a unique place," says Hawthorne. "We have the Medical School, the research reactor, the veterinary school, biologists, and engineering. It is a broad effort campus wide and the administration from the chancellor on down have been very supportive of this project."

Hawthorne, a member of the honorific U.S. National Academy of Sciences, served as the editor-in-chief of the ACS journal, Inorganic Chemistry, for 32 years and was recently named the 2009 Priestley Medalist, the premier award of the ACS. Throughout his career, he has been honored with national and international awards, honorary degrees, and lectureships.

"Before, there was no way of recognizing members of the ACS," says Hawthorne. "That is why the fellowship was invented. It is a good idea because these people have worked hard for chemistry and ACS, and now they are able to receive recognition."

John E. Adams

Adams, professor and associate chair for undergraduate studies, has been at MU since 1981. He received his bachelor's degree from the University of Missouri–Rolla and his doctorate from University of California, Berkeley.

Adams has been actively involved with ACS over the years and currently serves on three national ACS committees. In addition to being honored at this year's national meeting, Adams will present a final report of the Program Review Advisory Group and a subcommittee report on ACS program priorization to the Society Committee on Budget and Finance. He also just completed a review of the proposed bylaw amendments for a local section of ACS. Adams also attends regional meetings and committee meetings.

"I did not get involved in ACS for the sake of recognition, but rather, as a way of giving back to the profession," says Adams. "I remain involved because of the many wonderful friends I have made through ACS. It certainly is nice to know, though, that my efforts are appreciated and that the organization considers it a priority to recognize the contributions of the many volunteers who ultimately are the backbone of the organization. I was very pleased and surprised to have been awarded the E. Ann Nalley Midwest Region Award for Volunteer Service last October, but I am especially honored to have been chosen as one of the first group of ACS Fellows."

Richard N. Loeppky

Loeppky, Schlundt Professor of Chemistry, emeritus, received his bachelor's degree in chemistry from the University of Idaho and his graduate degrees from the University of Michigan. He is trained as an organic chemist and taught undergraduate and graduate students in that area during his 40-year career at MU.

Loeppky's research focus was to use mechanistic chemistry and biochemistry to prevent and/or reduce exposure to cancers from carcinogenic N-nitroso compounds, mainly nitrosamines, or substances that are likely to undergo endogenous N-nitrosation. Nitrosamines are potent carcinogens and can be found in many substances such as tobacco, cured meats, beer, rubber products, cosmetics, personal care items, and herbicides. Some of Loeppky's research resulted in products being removed from the market or resulted in big changes in formulation components and strategies.

His service to ACS has been vast. Loeppky has served in numerous divisions as a member and chair. His most significant activity in the organization was to develop the concept for and lead a new division called the Division of Chemical Toxicology (TOXI). The concept began in 1991, and the division attained official status in 1998.

"TOXI has grown significantly and has become one of the healthiest ACS divisions because of its interdisciplinary focus, the high scientific quality of its programming, the scientific prominence of its leaders, its attention to students and young scientists, and its diverse and growing membership," says Loeppky.

Loeppky says the credit for his nomination as an ACS Fellow goes to his former graduate students and his postdoctoral associates. "I was fortunate to have excellent students, most of whom are prospering in their occupational endeavors," says Loeppky. "I am also grateful to my former dean Larry Clark and Mike O'Brien, current dean, for their continuing support. I also thank the ACS Division of Chemical Toxicology for their nomination."

Laura Lindsey
Arts & Science Dean's Office

Links

John E. Adams
M. Frederick Hawthorne
Richard N. Loeppky

Department of Chemistry

American Chemical Society, Fellows Program