Urey (1893-1981) was a Nobel Prize-winning chemist who contributed to significant advances in the fields of physical chemistry, geochemistry, lunar science, and astrochemistry. He received the Nobel Prize for chemistry in 1934 for his discovery of deuterium, and made key scientific contributions to the development of the atomic bomb during World War II. He conducted fundamental work on the structure of atoms and molecules, the thermodynamic properties of gases, the separation of isotopes, and the chemical problems involved in the origin of the earth, the moon, and the solar system. He was also an advocate of nuclear arms control working actively with other scientists to promote global cooperation and to prevent nuclear proliferation and conflict. Among Urey's teaching positions were posts at Montana Sate University, Johns Hopkins University, columbia University, the University of chicago, and the University of California, San Diego.