Paul Anastas
Paul T. Anastas | |
---|---|
Paul Anastas, 2014 | |
Born |
U.S. | May 16, 1962
Residence | U.S. |
Nationality | United States |
Fields | Green chemistry |
Institutions | Yale University |
Alma mater | University of Massachusetts Boston, Brandeis University |
Paul T. Anastas (born May 16, 1962 in Quincy, Massachusetts)[1] is the Director of Yale University's Center for Green Chemistry and Green Engineering,[2] Previously he served as the Science Advisor to the United States Environmental Protection Agency[3] as well as the Agency's Assistant Administrator for Research and Development, appointed by President Barack Obama.[4]
Career
Anastas is known widely as the "Father of Green Chemistry"[5] for his ground-breaking work on the design and manufacture of chemicals that are non-hazardous and environmentally benign. He is also a champion of sustainability science and innovation for environmental protection.
Anastas has brought worldwide attention to the power of molecular design and help for the environment.[6] He has published scores of articles as well as ten books,[7] including his seminal work with co-author John Warner,[8] Green Chemistry: Theory and Practice. Their 12 Principles of Green Chemistry are the basis for high school, college and graduate programs around the world[9] and have significantly altered the landscape of the chemicals industry in the United States and other countries.[10]
Anastas began his career as a staff chemist at the EPA, where he coined the term "Green Chemistry" and launched the field's first research program. He went on to found the Green Chemistry Institute[11] at the American Chemical Society and serve in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy from 1999 to 2004, where he concluded service as Assistant Director for the Environment. Dr. Anastas returned to EPA in 2009 as the Assistant Administrator for EPA's Office of Research and Development (ORD) and the Science Advisor to the Agency, resigning from those positions in February 2012 to return to Yale and his family. In his role as Assistant Administrator, he worked to engage scientists, engineers, and stakeholders across EPA, the federal government, and the scientific community to unify around the common goal of sustainability.[12] Anastas is currently the Director of Yale University's Center for Green Chemistry and Green Engineering,[2] where he holds the Theresa and H. John Heinz chair in Chemistry for the Environment.
Early Life and Education
Anastas was born and raised in Quincy, Massachusetts. He developed an interest in science and environmental issues after witnessing the wetlands behind his childhood home get bulldozed and destroyed for a development project.[13] As a teenager in Quincy, Anastas met and developed a close friendship with fellow green chemist John Warner. The pair have since co-authored several scientific papers and books, including the 12 Principles of Green Chemistry.[14] Anastas retains a noticeable Boston accent and is a devoted fan of his hometown baseball team, the Boston Red Sox.[13]
He is trained as a synthetic organic chemist. He earned his B.S. from the University of Massachusetts Boston and his M.A. and Ph.D. in chemistry from Brandeis University.
Press
Anastas and his work have been featured in several popular media outlets, including:
- The New York Times: Green Chemistry Guru Charting New Course at EPA [13]
- WHYY Radio Times: Paul T. Anastas the Father of Green Chemistry[15]
- Nature: Chemistry: It's Not Easy Being Green [16]
- Yale Scientific: Paul Anastas: A Power Player in the Global Chemical Industry [17]
- Living on Earth: Sustainable Science at EPA [18]
- Market Place: EPA Scientist Advocates Green Chemistry[19]
- Chemical & Engineering News: Mr. Sustainability Goes to Washington[12]
Public Speaking
Anastas is known for delivering energetic, engaging public talks that challenge audience members to think differently about environmental challenges.[20] His speeches have been called "thought provoking",[21] "inspiring",[22] and "optimistic".[23] He has been featured as a keynote speaker at several prestigious meetings, conferences and events, including:
- The American College and University President's Climate Commitment Summit[24]
- The Joseph Priestley Lecture at the Chemical Heritage Foundation
- The United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development Roundtable[25]
- The Albemarle Lecture on Sustainability at Louisiana State University[26]
- The State of Green Business Forum[27]
- The Distinguished Borlaug Lecture at NC State University[28]
Awards
Anastas has been recognized for his pioneering work with several awards, including:
- 2011: The Rachel Carson Environmental Award from the Natural Products Association[29]
- 2008: The Annual Leadership in Science Award (with John Warner) from the Council of Scientific Society Presidents[30][31]
- 2007: The John Jeyes Award from the Royal Society of Chemistry[31][32]
- 2006: The 12th Heinz Award for the Environment [31][33]
- 2005: The Scientific American 50 Award for Policy Innovation [31][34]
- 2004: The Inaugural Canadian Green Chemistry Award[31]
- 2002: The Greek Chemical Society Award for Contributions to Chemistry[31]
- 1999: The Nolan Sommer Award for Distinguished Contributions to Chemistry[31]
- 1999: The Joseph Seifter Award for Scientific Excellence[31]
- 1998: The Vice President's Hammer Award[31]
Anastas was a Special Professor at the University of Nottingham[31][35] and an Honorary Professor at Queens University of Belfast where he was also awarded an Honorary Doctorate.[31][36]
References
- ↑ David E. Newton: Chemistry of the Environment. Infobase Publishing, 2009, ISBN 978-1-438-10974-9, p. 185.
- 1 2 Center for Green Chemistry and Green Engineering at Yale
- ↑ Anastas EPA Bio
- ↑ Brandeis Now News Article
- ↑ "ACS Green Chemistry at a Glance"
- ↑ Anastas Article on Molecular Design
- ↑ Anastas Book List
- ↑ John Warner Bio
- ↑ Green Chemistry Education Programs
- ↑ GreenBiz Article on Green Chemistry
- ↑ Green Chemistry Institute Website
- 1 2 C&EN: Mr. Sustainability Goes to Washington
- 1 2 3 "Green Chemistry Guru Charting New Course at EPA". The New York Times.
- ↑ OnEarth: Pure Chemistry
- ↑ Radio Times Interview: Paul T. Anastas the Father of Green Chemistry
- ↑ Nature: Chemistry: It's Not Easy Being Green
- ↑ Yale Scientific: Paul Anastas: A Power Player in the Global Chemical Industry
- ↑ Living on Earth Interview: Sustainable Science at EPA
- ↑ Market Place Interview: EPA Scientist Advocates Green Chemistry
- ↑ Thinking Differently
- ↑ University of Leeds: Industrial Club Talk
- ↑ EPA Blog: Nifty Fifty Talk
- ↑ Sustainable Living Blog: ACS Green Chemistry Talk
- ↑ ACUPCC Climate Summit
- ↑ UN Roundtable
- ↑ Albemarle Lecture
- ↑ GreenBiz
- ↑ Borlaug Lecture
- ↑ Natural Products Insider: Rachel Carson Award
- ↑ Yale University Press Release: Leadership in Science Award
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Paul Canasta Official House Science Committee Testimony
- ↑ Royal Society of Chemistry Press Release: John Jeyes Award
- ↑ C&EN: Anastas Wins Heinz Award
- ↑ ACS Press Release: Sci Am 50 Award
- ↑ Alfred University Press Release: Anastas
- ↑ Encyclopedia of Earth Entry: Paul Anastas
External links
- EPA Research
- Center for Green Chemistry and Green Engineering at Yale
- Green Chemistry at EPA
- Warner Babcock Institute for Green Chemistry
- Green Chemistry Journal of the Royal Chemistry Society