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John M. Prausnitz
YVETTE SUBRAMANIAN PHOTO
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Chemical engineer John Prausnitz awarded National Medal of Science
John M. Prausnitz, professor of chemical engineering and faculty senior scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, was one of eight recipients of the National Medal of Science, the nation’s highest scientific honor. President Bush presented the award at a White House ceremony March 14.
A native of Berlin, Prausnitz became an American citizen in 1944 and joined the Berkeley faculty in 1955. He is an applied physical chemist whose work focuses on molecular thermodynamics for designing separation operations in large chemical plants to increase efficiency and environmental safety and reduce energy consumption. His concepts and computer programs have been key to the design of large-scale chemical plants, including petroleum refineries and facilities for manufacturing polymers, plastics, and pharmaceuticals.
The National Medal of Science, administered by the National Science Foundation, recognizes pioneering scientific research and innovations that give the U.S. its global economic edge. Three of the eight medals awarded this year went to UC faculty, including Prausnitz; J. Michael Bishop, professor and chancellor at UCSF; and R. Duncan Luce, Distinguished Research Professor of Cognitive Science and Research Professor of Economics at UC Irvine.
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