In Memoriam: Nicholas J. Turro

Nicholas J. Turro, Schweitzer Professor of Chemistry and Professor of Chemical Engineering and of Environmental Engineering and Materials Science in the Department of Earth and Environmental Engineering, passed away Saturday, Nov. 24. He received several major awards and was a member of the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Chemical Engineering News called Turro "a world leader in the field of organic photochemistry" in its Nov. 27 obituary. He was recognized for laying the foundations for modern organic photochemistry, supramolecular photochemistry, and spin chemistry through his pioneering research. In addition, he was credited with producing more than 900 research papers, authoring several influential books, including "Molecular Photochemistry."

Columbia University President Lee C. Bollinger also praised Turro in a story in Columbia News.

“Nick Turro was a great and dedicated teacher, a warm and cherished colleague, and an imaginative scholar,” he said. “I miss him deeply, and I'm sure everyone in his department and field feels the loss even more.”