|
American Chemical Society Honors UAlbany Chemist Eric Block
Contact:
Lisa James Goldsberry (518) 437-4980
ALBANY,
N.Y. (February 27, 2004) -- Eric Block, a Distinguished Professor
of Chemistry at the University at Albany and one of the world's
leading authorities on organosulfur and organoselenium chemistry,
is the recipient of the American Chemical Society's 2003 Kenneth
A. Spencer Award, presented by the Kansas City Section of
the ACS. The honor recognizes excellence in food and agricultural
chemistry. Block will travel to Kansas City, Missouri on March
1 and 2 to accept the award.
Block is renowned for his work
in Allium chemistry, or the study of the chemistry of garlic,
onions, and related plants of the genus Allium. His research
is particularly relevant to medicine: epidemiological and
medical studies suggest that individuals who regularly consume
garlic and other Alliums experience a lower incidence of stomach
and prostate cancers; longer blood-clotting times; and lower
lipid levels, indirectly translating into reduced risk of
stroke and cardiovascular disease.
A graduate of Queens College
and Harvard University, Block joined the UAlbany faculty in
1981 and served as department of chemistry chair from 1985
to 1991. The State University Board of Trustees appointed
him Distinguished Professor, the highest rank attainable by
a SUNY faculty member, in 2002. He has written three books
and 200 refereed articles. He also holds several U.S. and
world patents.
Presented each year since 1955,
the Kenneth A. Spencer Award was established by the president
of the Spencer Chemical Company, who felt that "the efforts
by chemists who toil for better living through better agriculture
and better foods should be rewarded." Previous recipients
include the late Conrad A. Elvehjem, a biochemist who discovered
the nutrient niacin and helped to identify the Vitamin B complex;
and the late Johns Hopkins School of Public Health researcher
E. V. McCollum, who discovered vitamins A and D. For more
information on the award visit http://chem-phys.cmsu.edu/kcacs/spencer/spencer.html.
|
