Dudley R. Herschbach
Dudley Robert Herschbach (born June 18, 1932), a chemist and Frank B. Baird Jr. Professor of Science at Harvard University, won the 1986 Nobel Prize in Chemistry jointly with Yuan T. Lee and John C. Polanyi "for their contributions concerning the dynamics of chemical elementary processes."[1] Herschbach and Lee specifically worked with molecular beams, performing so-called "crossed molecular beam" experiments that enabled a detailed molecular-level understanding of many elementary reaction processes. Herschbach's research has ranged broadly over the field of chemical physics, including much theoretical work in dimensional scaling.
Hershbach's teaching ranges from graduate seminars on chemical kinetics to an introductory undergraduate course in general chemistry that he taught for many years at Harvard and described as his "most challenging assignment."
Herschbach has been a strong proponent of science education and science among the general public, and frequently gives lectures to students of all ages, imbuing them with his infectious enthusiasm for science and his playful spirit of discovery. Herschbach was born in San Jose, California. After graduating from Campbell High School, Herschbach received a B.S. in mathematics in 1954 and an M.S. in chemistry in 1955 from Stanford University, and an A.M. in physics in 1956 and a Ph.D. in chemical physics in 1958 from Harvard University under the direction of Edgar Bright Wilson. His recent work includes a collaboration with Steven Brams studying approval voting.
Herschbach has also lent his voice to The Simpsons for the episode Treehouse of Horror XIV where he is seen presenting the Nobel Prize in Physics to Professor Frink.
He joined the Texas A&M University faculty on September 1, 2005 and currently works as a Professor of Physics.
He is a board member of the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation, and a member of the board of advisors of Scientists and Engineers for America, an organization focused on promoting sound science in American government. He is also an Eagle Scout and recipient of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award (DESA).[2][3] There are four known Nobel Prize laureates who are Eagle Scouts: Herschbach and Peter Agre for chemistry, and Robert Coleman Richardson and Frederick Reines for physics.
Prof.Herschbach is a member of the Board of Sponsors of The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists[1].
His wife, Georgene Herschbach, is the Associate Dean of Harvard College for Undergraduate Academic Programs. She chairs Harvard's influential Committee on Undergraduate Education.
See also
References
- ^ Herschbach, Dudley R. "Autobiography". Nobelprize.org. Retrieved 01 June.
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{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ Lupton, Neil (2005). "Scouts-L Youth Group List". Listerv. Retrieved 01 June.
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