Prof. Urs von Gunten awarded by American Chemical Society

Professor Urs von Gunten is the 4th European recipient of the award granted annually since 1978 by the venerable American Chemical Society (ACS), founded in 1876.

The purpose of the award was “to encourage creativity in research and technology or methods of analysis to provide a scientific basis for informed environmental control decision-making processes, or to provide practical technologies that will reduce health risk factors”.

The official award ceremony took place on 22 March 2022 at the ACS conference in San Diego, California. Urs von Gunten has invited eight speakers to participate in the symposium to be held in his honor.

Here are Prof. von Gunten’s impressions of the awards ceremony:

“Before the ceremony began, the symposium started with excellent talks of the invited speakers. I was overwhelmed by the many recognitions I had received by the speakers and the audience.

No sooner than the symposium ended I had to rush to the hotel to get dressed in a rather rarely worn tuxedo. In fact, it was rented. Only later someone pointed out, that the right leg was pinned up differently than the left one. But much did I know then.

Entering the venue of ceremony, I was handed a pager in order to be on time when called on stage.

The ceremony opened in a sophisticated and exciting manner not unlike an Oscar celebration. Awards were given in many different disciplines of chemistry. I kept glancing at the pager yet there was no buzz, no sign. Realizing something was not quite right I nervously glanced through the awardees booklet to keep me half way on track of the time – ready to jump up when called on. Out of nowhere the sponsor of the award stood in front of me, guiding me to back stage to join the cue for awardees. And suddenly my name popped up on a huge screen asking me to come up on stage. The ACS president handed me the award, thereafter guiding me to the correct location for the official photo. The plaque was so big I had never seen anything like it before. My diplomas and awards that I had ever received before seemed meek, yes almost unnoticeable. In fact, the plaque didn't even fit in my suitcase and had to be sent as a special parcel by airmail.

It was a most memorable once-in-a-lifetime experience that I could enjoy together with family and friends, a special moment in my career.

The plaque made it all the way to Switzerland where it is enhancing my office wall. There it is reminding me daily how lucky I am to be able to work in such a great environment”.

With our warm congratulations!