orld Scientific is very honored to have Professor Fred Basolo, winner in 2001 of the Priestley Medal, the most prestigious award of the American Chemical Society, as one of its authors. Professor Basolo, now an emeritus professor at Northwestern University, is coediting a volume entitled Selected Papers of Fred Basolo with Professor John L. Burmeister of the University of Delaware.
The book is scheduled to be published in 2003. In the following interview conducted recently by email, Professor Basolo provides a glimpse of his love of chemistry and teaching, as well as shares his views on the current and future roles of chemistry research.
How did you feel about receiving the coveted Priestley Medal last year?
I felt humble, but very honored to receive this most coveted American Chemical Society Award. I have spent all my professional life in chemistry, and it is very pleasing at 83 years of age to be recognized by my peers for my service to chemistry worldwide.
What had the greatest influence on your decision to enter chemistry research?
This started with my experience in high school. Our teacher knew little chemistry, so we were largely on our own in the lab. The reactions that took place to give color changes, form precipitates, or even cause explosions made me want to know more about chemistry.
Eventually, it was Professor James Neckers at Southern Illinois University, Normal, who was responsible for my going to graduate school to obtain a Ph.D., and the rest is history.
What are your most significant contributions to the field?
My most significant contributions to the field are first, my love for teaching and my desire to help students in their careers. I have been extremely successful at this, resulting in my receiving both of the ACS awards for teaching. My second contribution is the seminal research that was done in my lab. For this, I was awarded the Willard Gibbs Medal for research. This award is given each year and started in 1911. Recipients of the Medal include Marie Curie, Linus Pauling, and 20 other Nobel laureates.
How can chemistry continue to contribute to life science research?
Chemistry has made and continues to make major contributions to the life sciences. As the "central" science, chemistry does much of the research being done in molecular biology, but gets little credit for its major contributions. The same goes for all the medicinal drugs. Chemistry is a major player in the life sciences.
Which areas within chemistry will play the most important roles in the future?
In the future, I think nano-chemistry, new materials, bioorganic chemistry, bio-inorganic chemistry, and many other developments will satisfy our technological needs.
What do you have to say to young people who are interested in studying chemistry?
I have had much to say to young people about chemistry during my 56 years at Northwestern University. Mainly, I tell them that chemists rarely become rich, but most of them like what they are doing. Not everyone can be a chemist , just as not everyone can be an artist . The love of chemistry comes from its playing an important role in our understanding of the secrets of nature.
 rofessor Basolo is not only a well-known researcher, but also an outstanding and well-loved teacher, as all his former students at the Northwestern University will attest. He has published more than 380 scientific papers. He was the President of the American Chemical Society in 1983 and is a Member of the National Academy of Sciences. The ACS George Pimentel Award for chemical education in 1992 and the Josiah Willard Gibbs Medal in 1996 are just two of the numerous awards or honors he has received during the course of his illustrious career.
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he company’s Annual Dinner and Dance had a special significance this year.
