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RENOWNED UCSD CHEMISTRY AND BIOCHEMISTRY PROFESSOR KENT R. WILSON DIES ON MARCH 27 

Known internationally for his achievements in the molecular dynamics of chemical and biochemical reactions, Professor Wilson was a prominent member of UCSD's faculty who dreamed of uncovering the most exquisite details of chemical reactions and of building the best chemistry department in the world.

"He was a beloved and respected member of the department, the university and the international scientific community," said Katja Lindenberg, a professor of chemistry and biochemistry at UCSD. "Kent touched and enriched many lives and will be sorely missed. His indelible personal and professional mark will long remain stamped on everyone who had the privilege of knowing him."

Professor Wilson's thirst for discovery and new frontiers led to many firsts that have endured the test of time as important contributions in several areas of chemistry. In the late 1960s, he and his research group developed the technique of photofragment spectroscopy that enabled them to probe the unstable states of molecules. In the 1970s, he used laser spectroscopy to unveil the chemistry of atmospheric pollution. In the 1980s, he combined ultrafast laser experiments with computer simulations to develop an understanding of how reactions occur in solution. In the past decade, he led a very ambitious effort to use ultrafast beams of x-rays to probe and control chemistry. The techniques developed by Professor Wilson have had widespread application in fields as diverse as atmospheric pollution, ancient statue dating, chemical reactions in liquids, and the development of pulsed x-ray sources and laser microscopes for use in sophisticated analysis of biological systems.

He was raised in a mostly Quaker community in Bryn Gweled Homesteads, Penn., and his decision to become a scientist was inspired by prominent scientists in his community, by his own mischievous childhood experiments, such as rewiring the town's phone system, and by disassembling and repairing household appliances. His particular interest in chemistry began through a high school fascination with moonshine and fireworks, which he made using surplus World War II equipment.

Professor Wilson received his bachelor's degree in chemistry and physics from Harvard University in 1958 and completed his doctorate in 1964 under the guidance of Harvard Nobel Laureate Dudley Herschbach at the University of California, Berkeley. He shared a lab with a group of graduate students who would all become fellow pioneer laser spectroscopists: Dick Zare, Jim Kinsey, and Yuan Lee. After postdoctoral work at Harvard and the National Bureau of Standards, he joined the UCSD faculty in 1965.

According to members of his department, Wilson brought a love of exploration and learning to his life as a faculty member: He loved the freedom it gave him to be an adventurer and a buccaneer, to explore the unknown, to follow his own unquenchable hunger for knowledge, and to educate and inspire young minds.

He was also one of the most innovative teachers at UCSD. For 30 years, he pioneered the use of visualization technologies to make science more accessible to students of all ages. Many students and postdoctoral researchers at UCSD remember watching Professor Wilson's films in high school. He brought films and other visualization techniques to the classroom when these technologies were in their infancy. Instead of employing professional programmers in this effort, he relied on a hand-picked team of some of the brightest undergraduate students he brought together in a group he dubbed the Senses Bureau. This group of extraordinarily talented undergraduates focused on the multisensual use of computer visualization, sound and touch as tools in research and education. The students did some of the original work on what is now called "virtual reality," and designed and created computer animations that have enhanced the visualization of scientific concepts in the classroom. Some of these students passed up other opportunities and specifically came to UCSD because of his legendary invitation, their first opportunity to experience his formidable talents in the art of persuasion and negotiation.

Professor Wilson's approach to research was unique: He felt that the first key to success in difficult experiments was to search the world for the best young scientists to work in his laboratory. He believed that the second, and perhaps most important, key to success was to facilitate teamwork among his brilliant junior collaborators. He was so proud of his international research team in the 1990s that he referred to them as his Dream Team, alluding to the highly successful U.S. Olympic basketball squad.

Professor Wilson received numerous distinctions during his prolific career. He was a Fellow of the American Physical Society and of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Perhaps his most enduring legacy lies in the large number of his students and junior associates that went on to outstanding careers and achievements of their own all around the world. His life ended during one of the most productive and exciting periods of his career, which was evidenced by his many publications, especially the recently published work in the journals Science and Nature. His scientific work at UCSD will be continued under the direction of Jeff Squier.

In addition to his passion for science, Professor Wilson was instrumental in preserving large portions of Torrey Pines State Park. He shared a love of bodysurfing in the Pacific with his daughter Tasha and a love of books and music with his daughter Maya. Kent Wilson is survived by his wife of 32 years, Lana Wilson, a potter. He is also survived by two daughters, Tasha Wilson, a clinical social worker, and Maya Wilson Chakko, a public policy analyst; and his son-in-law, Matthai Chakko, all of whom live in Northern California.

Memorial services will be held for Professor Wilson at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 9, at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of San Dieguito, 1036 Solana Drive, Solana Beach. In lieu of flowers, his family requests that donations be sent to the Friends Committee for National Legislation, 245 Second St., NE, Washington, D.C. 20002-5795.