Dr.
John H. Seinfeld to Receive
2001 Nevada Medal
Dr.
John H. Seinfeld, an atmospheric scientist who developed the first mathematical
models for describing urban air quality that are now used by air quality managers
around the world, has been selected to receive the Desert Research Institute's
2001 Nevada Medal. Seinfeld's work continues to provide many fundamental advances
linking atmospheric processes from local pollution formation to global climate
change.Seinfeld, Louis E. Nohl Professor and former chair (equivalent to dean) of
the California Institute of Technology's Division of Engineering and Applied
Science, will formally receive a minted medallion and $10,000 prize in award
ceremonies in Reno March 26, and in Las Vegas March 28. The Medalist will present
the Nevada Medal Lectures, "Aerosols and Climate," at DRI's conference
centers in Reno and Las Vegas the afternoon before each award ceremony. The
pure silver medallion and prize are underwritten by the shareholders of Nevada
Bell.
In 1982, at age 39, Seinfeld was one of the youngest persons ever elected to
the National Academy of Engineering. He is a fellow of the American Academy
of Arts and Sciences and has published more than 400 papers and four critically
acclaimed books. His textbook on atmospheric science, Atmospheric Chemistry
and Physics: From Air Pollution to Climate Change, is considered the basic worldwide
reference.
Seinfeld's early focus was on understanding the chemical and physical processes
occurring in the polluted urban atmosphere. This work led to his landmark 1972
papers on mathematical models for air pollution. From these came the first urban
air quality models incorporated in the Federal Clean Air Act, and which today
provide the basic tool employed by air quality scientists worldwide.
Seinfeld was one of the first scientists to describe the chemical processes
leading to urban ozone, and he has been a leading figure in scientific advances
in understanding the formation, growth, and chemistry of aerosols, the microscopic
particles and droplets in the air.
Seinfeld received a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Rochester in 1964 and a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering three years later at Princeton University. He joined the faculty of the California Institute of Technology in 1967, and has supervised more than 50 Ph.D. students who have gone on to major research careers in academia and private industry.
He has received numerous national and international awards and honors, and has served on or chaired many important national and professional commissions focusing on air quality research challenges.
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