Dasgupta receives American Chemical Society’s J. Calvin Giddings Award

IMAGE:Dasgupta is the winner of the 2015 American Chemical Society Division of Analytical Chemistry J. Calvin Giddings Award for Excellence in Education. view more

Credit: UT Arlington

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Purnendu "Sandy" Dasgupta, the Jenkins Garrett Professor of Chemistry at The University of Texas at Arlington, has received the 2015 American Chemical Society Division of Analytical Chemistry J. Calvin Giddings Award for Excellence in Education.

The national award recognizes a scientist who has enhanced the professional development of analytical chemistry students, developed and published innovative experiments, designed and improved equipment or teaching labs and published influential textbooks or significant articles on teaching analytical chemistry.

"I am a third generation university teacher. So, much of this honor I can credit to my father and grandfather -- I am merely carrying on that tradition," Dasgupta said. "I am especially honored by this award. I have been recognized for some research accomplishments or other in the past but this one recognizes for the first time my commitment to and love for teaching and that is why it is so gratifying."

UT Arlington President Vistasp M. Karbhari said Dr. Dasgupta's newest honor demonstrates the high quality of University faculty as exceptional models for advanced research and educational excellence.

"Dr. Dasgupta is remarkably accomplished, and his work in analytical chemistry addresses some of the most critical issues in our world," President Karbhari said. "This recognition by such a prestigious institution serves as testament to his commitment to teaching and research excellence as well as his dedication to developing the next generation of leaders in discipline."

Dasgupta's research area includes: methods for environmentally-friendly analysis of arsenic in drinking water; rapid analysis of trace heavy metals in the atmosphere; iodine nutrition in women and infants and the role of the chemical perchlorate; and the development of a NASA-funded ion chromatograph for testing extraterrestrial soil, such as on a trip to Mars.

Dasgupta has published articles and led workshops on ion chromatography. He is the author of more than 400 scientific papers and book chapters and holds 25 U.S. patents. His work has earned more than $18 million in research grants.

As this year's award recipient, Dasgupta will receive a plaque and cash prize. He will also attend the ACS national conference in August in Boston, where he will address and participate in an awards symposium on education in analytical chemistry.

Originally posted here:
Dasgupta receives American Chemical Society's J. Calvin Giddings Award