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Thursday, 03 May 2012 12:24 |
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Joseph DeSimone, IAM Director and Chancellor's Eminent Professor of Chemistry at UNC,  has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences, one of the highest honors that a U.S. scientist or engineer can receive.
DeSimone is one of 84 new members and 21 foreign associates from 14 countries elected to the academy. He is the 12th UNC-Chapel Hill faculty member to be elected to the academy, a private organization of scientists and engineers dedicated to advancing science and technology and their use for the public good.
“I am excited and humbled by this tremendous honor,” said DeSimone. “This would not have been possible without the hard work of my students and staff who continue to propel our innovative research forward.'
With the new class of members announced by the academy, there are 2,152 active members and 430 foreign associates. The academy was established by Congress in 1863 as an official adviser to the federal government, upon request, in any matter of science or technology. Candidates for membership can only be formally nominated by academy members.
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Tuesday, 06 March 2012 17:43 |
Joseph DeSimone, IAM Director and Chancellors Eminent Professor of Chemistry, will be featured on Friday, March 9th on Discovery's Curiosity Project homepage. The site profiles nationally and internationally recognized experts in many fields and provides them a forum to discuss and answer some of the big questions that concern them and us. The site provides both an excellent overview of Prof. DeSimone's many accomplishments and provides viewpoints in his own words on issues in nanotechnology, medicine, higher education, research and innovation, and diversity. This is an excellent site for reaching the general public and communicating perspective and understanding of the broader issues and topics of our times. Dr. DeSimone is a leader in multiple areas, which span nanoscience and nanomedicine, materials, education, and entrepreneurship. |
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Friday, 30 March 2012 10:04 |
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IAM faculty member and Arey Distinguished  Professor of Chemistry Thomas Meyer has been awarded the 2012 Porter Medal. The Medal, named for the late George Porter FRS, Nobel Laureate, is awarded biennually to the scientist who, in the opinion of the European Photochemistry Association, the Inter-American Photochemistry Society, and the Asian and Oceanian Photochemistry Association, has contributed most to the science of photochemistry with particular emphasis on more physical aspects, reflecting George Porter's own interest.
Professor Meyer is the Director of the DOE supported UNC Energy Frontier Research Center and a founder of the UNC Solar Energy Research Center. He is a pioneer in the field of solar energy research with many accomplishments and awards in the field. Our congratulations to Professor Meyer. |
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Tuesday, 14 February 2012 13:33 |
A recent article in the journal Atlantic discusses UNC's leading role in sparking innovation as a driver of positive societal change. The article focuses on Engines of Innovation: The Entrepreneurial University in the 21st Century, a book written by Holden Thorp, the UNC-CH Chancellor, Kenan Professor of Chemistry, and an IAM affiliate faculty member, and Buck Goldstein, the University's "entrepreneur in residence." The authors argue that universities can and must use their significant intellectual and financial resources to confront global challenges such as climate change, extreme poverty, childhood diseases, and an impending worldwide shortage of clean water. 
Led by Thorp, UNC has streamlined the process for faculty, students or staff members to turn their discoveries into private companies. He has also made "entrepreneurship" a minor for all undergraduate students.
Although some worry about possible abuses in the rush to start businesses, Thorp and Goldstein insist they are not backing the commercialization of academia and, in general, abuse appears rare. Plus their definition of entrepreneurship is intentionally broad, including for instance social entrepreneurship. In any case, David Rohde, the article's author, argues, 'after providing billions of dollars in research grants to universities, members of Congress, foundations and taxpayers are demanding that academics do more to address real-world problems. Economists argue that the United States must combine its two strongest remaining economic assets -- the world's best research universities and venture capital system -- to reinvent the American economy.'
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