Dr. George Newkome
The Ohio Academy of Science (OAS) appointed Dr. George Newkome, University of Akron vice president for research and dean of the Graduate School, as an honorary Fellow. Newkome, a polymer scientist and chemist, is one of five Ohioans who received the distinction for rendering special services to the Ohio Academy of Science or for making extensive, productive scientific, technological or educational contributions to society. Academy Fellows of 2011 contributed to the fields of polymer chemistry, aerospace engineering, medicine, pre-med studies and science literacy, microbiology, science and science policy, botany and ecology.
"Election as an honorary Fellow is the highest form of recognition by peers offered by The Ohio Academy of Science," says Academy CEO Dr. Lynn E. Elfner, in a press release.
Newkome, who also serves as president and CEO of The University of Akron Research Foundation and president of the Akron Innovation Campus, has made seminal contributions to the fields of chemistry and polymer science, including his pioneering work in 1985 on advanced molecular structures called dendrimers. His career, which spans more than five decades, has resulted in more than 420 professional articles, 45 patents and more than 15 books and monographs.
Other new OAS honorary fellows are Dr. Thomas Christian Jr., USAF Aeronautical Systems Center, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, for aerospaceengineering; Dr. Mary Gahbauer, Otterbein University, Westerville, for medicine, pre-med studies and science literacy; Dr. Philip Geis, Proctor & Gamble Co., Cincinnati, for microbiology, general interest in science and science policy; and Dr. Alan Hale, URS Corp., Cincinnati, for botany and ecology.
About the Ohio Academy of Science
Founded in 1891, the Ohio Academy of Science is a membership-based, volunteer-driven, not-for-profit organization. The academy is the leading organization in Ohio to foster curiosity, discovery and innovation and to unite all who value education, science, engineering, technology, or their applications to benefit society. The academy conducts an annual professional meeting and science days, publishes an international, multidisciplinary, scientific journal, improves STEM education and informs state science, technology and education policy makers.
Media contact: Denise Henry,330-972-6477 or henryd@.uakron.edu.