Dr. Robert H. Grubbs, 2005 Nobel Laureate and the QAPCO Chair of Polymer Science and Engineering at Texas A&M University at Qatar, has been elected to the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) “for developments in catalysts that have enabled commercial products.”
Grubbs is the Victor and Elizabeth Atkins Professor of Chemistry at the California Institute of Technology (CalTech) in the United States, and he is an adjunct professor of chemistry at Texas A&M at Qatar where he has a research group.
A world-renowned scientist in the field of chemistry, his research involves design, synthesis and mechanistic studies of complexes that catalyze basic organic transformations. His recent focus has been on olefin metathesis reaction. To optimize the utility of this reaction, new catalysts have been developed that are extremely tolerant of organic functional groups. He has more than 500 publications and more than 115 patents based on his research.
At Texas A&M at Qatar, Grubbs works closely with Dr. Hassan S. Bazzi, chemistry professor in the Science Program and the assistant dean for research and graduate studies. They recently received an exceptional research project award of $4.36 million from the National Priorities Research Program for the proposal, “Synthesis of Novel and Sustainable Functionalized Linear and Cyclic Polymers via Olefin Metathesis.” The research seeks to develop novel and environmentally friendly ways in which to synthesize polymers that, like polyolefins, are produced on an immense scale in Qatar.
The NAE was founded in 1964 to “advance the well-being of the nation by promoting a vibrant engineering profession and by marshalling the expertise and insights of eminent engineers to provide independent advice to the federal government on matters involving engineering and technology.”