Mario Molina

Dates

March 19, 1943 – October 7, 2020

Authorized Form of Name

Molina, Mario (J.), 1943-

Additional Forms of Names

Henríquez, José Mario (Molina-Pasquel)

Molina, Mario, 1943-

Molina, Mario José

Molina-Pasquel Henríquez, José Mario

Pasquel Henríquez, José Mario (Molina)

Biography

Abstract

Mario J. Molina was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1995 alongside Sherwood Rowland and Paul Crutzen, "for their work in atmospheric chemistry, particularly concerning the formation and decomposition of ozone." Determined to use his knowledge of chemistry to benefit society rather than harm it, Molina’s research and theories regarding the use of freon and its effects on the ozone have served to slow atmospheric depletion. He has held positions at the University of California, Berkeley, University of California, Irvine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the California Institute of Technology, and University of California, San Diego.

Important Dates

March 19, 1943Birth, Mexico City (Mexico).

1965Obtained BSc degree, Chemical Engineering program, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City (Mexico).

1972Obtained PhD, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley (Calif.).

1973Developed "CFC-ozone depletion theory" with Sherwood Rowland, Irvine (Calif.).

1973 – 1982Postdoctoral fellowship (1973-1975) and Assistant Professor (1975-1982), University of California, Irvine, Irvine (Calif.).

1982 – 1989Faculty, Molecular Physics and Chemistry Section, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena (Calif.).

1989 – 2004Faculty, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge (Mass.).

1995Awarded Nobel Prize in Chemistry with Sherwood Rowland and Paul Crutzen "for their work in atmospheric chemistry, particularly concerning the formation and decomposition of ozone".

2005 – presentFaculty, University of California, San Diego.

2013Awarded U. S. Presidential Medal of Freedom.

October 7, 2020Death, Mexico City (Mexico).

Occupation

Environmental chemist.

Places

Subjects

Environmental chemistry.

Ozone.

Relationships

People

Family

Alvarez, Guadalupe

Second wife.

Molina, Esther

Aunt and chemist.

Molina, Felipe

Son.

Molina, Luisa

First wife.

Advisors & Collaborators

Abbatt, Jonathan Paul Dilworth

Advised by Molina at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Crutzen, Paul J., 1933-

Shared 1995 Nobel Prize in Chemistry with Rowland "for their work in atmospheric chemistry, particularly concerning the formation and decomposition of ozone."

Geiger, Franz M.

Advised by Molina at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Martin, Scot T.

Advised by Molina at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

McNeill, V. Faye

Advised by Molina at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Miziolek, Andrzej W., 1950-

Advised by Molina at University of California, Irvine.

Pimentel, George C.

Advisor at University of California, Berkeley.

Rowland, F. S.

Advisor at University of California, Irvine and shared 1995 Nobel Prize in Chemistry with Crutzen "for their work in atmospheric chemistry, particularly concerning the formation and decomposition of ozone."

Spencer, Darrell

Advised by Molina at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Zhang, Renyi

Advised by Molina at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).