The Michael E. Gebel award will be available again this year to a select number of chemistry graduate students.  Because of its history and intent, it is somewhat restricted in its scope and is handled differently from the other department awards normally given at the Lee dinner.

Mike was a Ph.D. student in the Finlayson-Pitts group.  After graduating with his Ph.D. in 2000, he went to a position with the California Air Resources Board in El Monte, where he was very successful, rising to being a Division Manager.  He had a deep commitment to improving our environment and hence chose to work for CARB, although he had many other options at considerably higher salary.  His life was cut unexpectedly short in January of 2006 due to a seizure and fall at his home.  He suffered brain trauma and died.

His widow, Jennifer Bentson-Gebel, established an award to memorialize his life and accomplishments.  Mike worked for a period of time between obtaining his B.S. from Cal State LA and joining our graduate program at UCI.  It was something of a financial struggle in graduate school, and an award would have helped significantly at this time.

As a result, Jennifer has indicated a strong preference that this award go to a chemistry graduate student working in environmental chemistry and who has had some broader “life experience”.  This is broadly interpreted, such as a period of being in the workforce, doing some studies abroad, participating in volunteer programs or internships etc.  Preference will be given to students in the earlier stages of their careers preferably after passing the advancement to candidacy exam, but students in later years will also be considered.

The area of environmental chemistry is also interpreted broadly, so any of you whose research might fall under this umbrella should consider applying for this award. For example, if you are working on a new synthetic method that falls under the “green chemistry” area, that would count. In the past, students from all areas of the Department of Chemistry have been awardees.  A list of previous award winners is at the end.

What is required to apply is the following (please put in a single pdf file with your last name in the file name):

1.  A curriculum vitae (which will include the work experience before entering graduate school)

2.  Transcripts (need not be official ones) from graduate school here at UCI (and elsewhere, if you did a Masters at another institution)

3.  A one page (or less) statement on “How I intend to make a difference”

4.  A one page (or less) summary of your thesis research topic and your progress on it to date, and the name of your thesis advisor.

If you would like to be considered for this award, you should submit this information to Barbara Finlayson-Pitts electronically in one combined PDF file by FRIDAY MAY 22 TUESDAY MAY 26.  An anonymous committee will review the applications and make a decision on the awardee.

If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Finlayson-Pitts.

[Read more…] about Michael E. Gebel Award Applications – Due May 26