Published Thursday, February 09, 2012 12:04 AM By MAGGIE KIELY
maggie.kiely@theeagle.com
A&M chemistry professor Dr. Oleg Ozerov holds the Norman Hackerman Award in Chemical Research. Ozerov received the award for his work on greenhouse gases during a ceremony held in his honor at The Clayton Williams Former Student Assosiation building on campus Wednesday.
Texas A&M chemistry professor Oleg Ozerov discovered his passion for chemistry as a 12-year-old in Russia, while experimenting with small-scale explosive material with a friend whom he remains close to today.
He became even more fascinated with the subject when he began learning about it as a freshman in high school, and later went on to earn his master's degree in chemistry at the Russian Academy of Science.
From there, he went on to the University of Kentucky, where he earned his Ph.D. in chemistry before taking a teaching position at Brandeis University.
He made his way to Aggieland in 2009 as a professor with the chemistry department and was hired as the graduate recruitment coordinator in the fall.
But even though his profession has taken him across the globe, Ozerov said he never imagined he'd be sitting in a room full of colleagues and students at the Alumni Center on campus Wednesday, being recognized for his work and honored as the 2012 recipient of the Norman Hackerman Award in Chemical Research.
The award comes with a $100,000 personal check. He'll likely use some of the money to do something nice for those who've helped him along the way -- "especially his research group, which consists of undergraduate, graduate and post-doctoral students, Ozerov said.
A chunk will go into his 3-year-old daughter's college fund, he said.
Ozerov, 35, is the second A&M professor to win the award since it was created by the Welch Foundation in 2002. Paul Cremer was honored as the 2006 recipient.
The Welch Foundation, a national organization founded in 1952 to provide private funding for chemistry researchers, presents the award annually to a Texas chemistry researcher who has made notable achievements during his early career.
Ozerov's research focuses on understanding unusual molecular structures and how to create or break chemical bonds.
During one of his most recent and notable discoveries, Ozerov created a way to break down the carbon-fluorine bond at room temperature.
Carbon-fluorine bonds are considered some of the strongest in chemistry and are often found in greenhouse gases associated with global warming.
The breakthrough could have a positive effect on combating atmospheric pollutants.
"Chemistry fascinates me," Ozerov said. "If you say something is difficult to do, it's like the red flag to the bull, and we have to figure out how to do it."
Ozerov was chosen for the award in part because of his attitude, said Beth Robertson, Welch Foundation chair.
"At only 35, Dr. Ozerov already has made significant contributions in both transition metals and main group chemistry that may ultimately improve our world," she said. "Known for his chemical ingenuity, his work is aimed at exploring exciting new facets of chemistry."
In addition to the Hackerman Award, Ozerov recently was named the 2012 Pure Chemistry Award recipient by the American Chemical Society.
"I don't think I did anything outstanding," Ozerov said after receiving his award Wednesday. "I feel like I understand chemistry. I have an affinity for it, and it was always easy for me to get."
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Texas A&M scientist recognized for chemistry work
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