Mario Molina

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mario molina

Mario José Molina-Pasquel Henríquez (March 19, 1943 – October 7, 2020) was a Mexican chemist renowned for his pivotal role in the discovery of the Antarctic ozone hole. In 1995, he was co-recipient of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry along with Frank Sherwood Rowland and Paul Crutzen for their work in atmospheric chemistry, particularly concerning the formation and decomposition of ozone. Molina's research was instrumental in the global effort to phase out chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), leading to the Montreal Protocol.

Early Life and Education

Mario Molina was born in Mexico City, Mexico. From a young age, he showed a keen interest in science, conducting experiments in a small laboratory in his home. He pursued his undergraduate degree in chemical engineering at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). After completing his bachelor's degree, Molina moved to Germany to study at the University of Freiburg for advanced degrees in polymer science, but soon transferred to the University of California, Berkeley, where he earned his Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry in 1972.

Career

After completing his Ph.D., Molina held postdoctoral positions at the University of California, Irvine, where he joined the group of Professor Sherwood Rowland. It was here that Molina and Rowland began their groundbreaking research on the effects of CFCs on the ozone layer. Their work demonstrated that CFCs released into the atmosphere could reach the stratosphere, where they would be broken down by ultraviolet light, releasing chlorine atoms that could then deplete the ozone layer.

Molina's research had a significant impact on environmental policy, contributing to the adoption of the Montreal Protocol in 1987, an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of numerous substances responsible for ozone depletion.

Throughout his career, Molina held academic positions at several prestigious institutions, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he was a professor in the Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences. He was also a professor at the University of California, San Diego and a researcher at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography.

Awards and Honors

In addition to the Nobel Prize, Molina received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to science and environmental policy. These include the Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement, the Presidential Medal of Freedom awarded by President Barack Obama, and election to the National Academy of Sciences.

Legacy

Mario Molina's work has left an indelible mark on both science and environmental policy. His research not only advanced our understanding of atmospheric chemistry but also demonstrated the importance of scientific evidence in shaping public policy to address global environmental challenges. Molina continued to advocate for science-based policy solutions to climate change and air pollution until his passing in 2020.

Death

Mario Molina passed away on October 7, 2020, leaving behind a legacy as a pioneer in environmental chemistry and a champion for the protection of our planet.