Dr. Hassan S. Bazzi named fellow of Royal Society of Chemistry
Published Dec 31, 2018Dr. Hassan S. Bazzi, associate dean for research at Texas A&M University at Qatar, has been named a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC) in recognition of his global contributions to the field of chemistry.
In addition to his role as associate dean for research, Bazzi is a professor of chemistry and executive director of development, engagement and outreach. He is also professor of materials science and engineering at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas (USA).
Achieving Royal Society Fellow status in the chemical profession denotes to the wider community a high level of accomplishment as a professional chemist, according to the organization's website. Each Fellow must have made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of the chemical sciences; or to the advancement of the chemical sciences as a profession; or have been distinguished in the management of a chemical sciences organization. The distinction requires acceptance and adherence to a specific code of conduct and an established set of high standards of ethical and professional behavior.
With his naming as fellow of the RSC, Bazzi joins a distinguished list of Texas A&M chemists who have previously been bestowed with the prestigious honor: Kim Dunbar (2018), Sarbajit Banerjee (2016), Hongcai Joe Zhou (2015), Marcetta Y. Darensbourg (2014), Kevin Burgess (2013), Abraham Clearfield (2013), François P. Gabbaï (2013) and James D. Batteas (2012).
"Dr. Bazzi is an outstanding teacher, researcher and leader," said Dr. César Octavio Malavé, dean of Texas A&M at Qatar. “He is a great asset to Texas A&M at Qatar and to our mission here. We are proud of what he has accomplished in his own career and on behalf of our university, and this prestigious recognition is just one more example of his excellence, integrity and leadership."
Bazzi’s research interests focus on metathesis chemistry as a powerful tool in small molecule and polymer synthesis, in addition to polymer-supported catalysis, DNA-mimetic polymers, and fluorous analogs of ruthenium-based catalysts. He has authored and co-authored more than 80 peer-reviewed scientific publications, three U.S. patents and 130 conference presentations. He has greatly served the broader chemistry community—nationally and internationally—through the various conferences and workshops that he has helped organize over the years. His community service is perhaps most clearly shown in his extensive work on raising awareness of the importance of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) for the State of Qatar. He has played a leading role in establishing a Science and Engineering Road Show in Qatar—the first in the nation—that brings exciting learning experiences to Qatar’s young people.
Bazzi joined the Texas A&M at Qatar faculty in 2004 as assistant professor, was promoted to associate professor in 2009 and then to professor in 2014. He was the first chair of the Science Program (2006-2014) where he oversaw the growth and expansion of the chemistry, physics and mathematics programs. He has also served as interim chair of the Petroleum Engineering Program (2014-2015) and assistant dean for research (2014-2017). In 2018, Bazzi was the founding chair of the Qatar chapter of the American Chemical Society and he was recently elected as chair for 2018-2020.
Bazzi received his bachelor’s degree in chemistry in 1996 and master’s degree organic chemistry in 1998, both from the American University of Beirut (Lebanon), and his Ph.D. in polymer chemistry with Dean’s Honor List from McGill University (Canada) in 2003. He worked briefly with the United Nations as a chemical weapons inspector in Iraq before doing a postdoctoral research fellowship at Université de Montréal. Bazzi has also completed the Management Development Program in June 2014 and the Institute for Management and Leadership in Education in June 2018 at Harvard University Graduate School of Education.
"I am very honored to have been selected to be a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry," Bazzi said. "I genuinely believe in the important roles that professional societies play in shaping our future, and I am proud to be associated with the RSC.”
The Royal Society of Chemistry is the world's leading chemistry community for advancing excellence in the chemical sciences. With more than 54,000 members and a knowledge business that spans the globe, the group is the UK's professional body for chemical scientists—a not-for-profit organization with 175 years of history and an international vision of the future that promotes, supports and celebrates chemistry while working to shape the future of the chemical sciences to benefit both science and humanity.
