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January 16, 2001

Media Contact: Pat JaCoby, (858)  534-7404 

UCSD FACULTY MEMBERS TO RECEIVE
AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE FEBRUARY 8

Awards for excellence in research, teaching and community service will be presented to three University of California, San Diego faculty members by the UCSD Chancellor’s Associates at a Feb. 8 meeting in Mandeville Auditorium.

Recipients of the annual Faculty Excellence Awards are Mark H. Thiemens, professor of chemistry and biochemistry, for research; Charles L. Perrin, professor of chemistry and biochemistry, for teaching, and George Mariscal, associate professor of literature, for outstanding community service.

Guests at the 4:30 p.m. program will be welcomed by UCSD Chancellor Robert C. Dynes and Chancellor’s Associates Chair Darlene Shiley. Russell E. Duff chaired the committee selecting the winners, who will receive their awards from Marsha A. Chandler, senior vice chancellor, Academic Affairs.

A reception and tour of the new "Obsessions" exhibition in the University Art Gallery will follow the meeting.

Thiemens, dean of the Division of Physical Sciences, is being recognized for his world-leading research in one of the most complex of subjects—the earth; for his extensive studies of atmospheric isotopes; for his ability to use science to address major environmental issues such as global warming, ozone depletion, cosmochemistry and air pollution, and for his ability to intertwine chemistry, physics, geochemistry and atmospheric studies in his work as one of the earth’s chief scientists.

Notes Andrew C. Kummel, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, "Thiemens has made major applications in understanding how the solar system, atmospheres and Mars have formed. This is an extraordinarily wide range of scholarly activities, and his work is now being utilized by researchers across the world. His most recent work has lead to the ability to track and quantify the evolution and origin of life on earth, beginning with the oldest rocks on earth at 3.9 billion years ago. Scientists have endeavored to find a way to quantify this for decades and this recent work is a major breakthrough."

Perrin is being recognized for his exemplary record as a professor of chemistry and biochemistry for nearly 40 years; for his engaging teaching style, which has inspired young minds to look beyond texts and treatises; for his outstanding research contributions to the field of organic chemistry, and for his reputation among his colleagues as "the" authority on teaching and "the consummate scholar."

Edward A. Dennis, chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, notes that "the stimulation and excitement that Perrin brings to science is evident in the unsolicited letters he receives from former students. His students routinely win the department awards in research and academic excellence. Many of his recent graduate students are now professors, after completing distinguished postdoctoral studies. Such praise and success have come because of Perrin’s admirable fairness in his prosecution of high standards of excellence."

Mariscal is being cited for his tireless efforts and commitment to fostering diversity on the UCSD campus and within the greater educational system and community; for mentoring underrepresented K-12 students and inspiring them with the confidence to pursue viable college and career opportunities, and for keeping diversity at the forefront through ongoing community, professional and speaking activities.

Lisa Lowe, chair of the Department of Literature, notes that Mariscal’s record of service on diversity issues has had significant impact on the San Diego community and the Southern California region generally. In his capacity as chair of the UCSD Chicano/Latino Concilio (1997-99) he worked closely with members of a wide variety of community organizations. "He is a rarity among Hispanists," Lowe says, "having established a distinguished reputation in both traditional and non-traditional fields."