Frontiers Lecture Series

The Frontiers in Chemistry lecture series hosts distinguished scientists from various areas of chemistry for three days of lectures and informal discussions with faculty and students. The program represents a unique opportunity to hear first-hand descriptions of current topics in chemistry, as well as indications of future directions for research from the world's leading scientists. The lectures are organized in pedagogical fashion and graduate students enroll in the Frontiers series for credit. The Department hosts several forums giving students the chance to interact with the speakers.

The Frontiers in Chemistry schedule for the current academic year:

Professor Mark Thiemens
University of California - San Diego
October 5th through 7th, 2009

Mark Thiemens is Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of California - San Diego. He has also served as Dean of Physical Sciences at UCSD since Fall 2000. The recipient of a doctoral degree in chemical oceanography from Florida State University, Thiemens arrived at UCSD in 1980, after a three-year postdoctoral fellowship at the Enrico Fermi Institute for Nuclear Studies at the University of Chicago. As a scientist, he is best known for his discovery of the "mass-independent isotope effect," which has improved scientific understanding in areas as diverse as climate change, the origin of the solar system, chemical physics, acid rain, and the accumulation of greenhouse gases. The discovery led to his selection for the 1998 Ernest O. Lawrence Medal, the most prestigious award given to scientists by the U.S. Department of Energy. Professor Thiemens and his research group have developed the analytical capability to measure stable isotope variations at ultra-high precision (0.04 parts per thousand) in sulfur (34S/34S, 33S/32S), oxygen (18O/16O, 17O/16O), carbon (13C/12C), and nitrogen (15N/14N). He and his group have collected and analyzed samples throughout the world and include measurements at the South Pole and in tropical rainforests. Professor Thiemens was elected to the National Academy of Sciences in 2006, one of the highest honors bestowed on U.S. scientists and engineers. In addition to his many honors and awards, a minor planet orbiting the inner part of the main asteroid belt was designated (7004) Markthiemens in honor of his work in 2006.

 

See the Departmental Calendar for more details as to the time and location of the lectures.

Past Frontiers Lectures

Last Updated: September 28, 2009 by the Chemistry Webmaster.
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