Dasgupta teaches at The University of Texas at Arlington.
By Raif Karerat
WASHINGTON, DC: Purnendu “Sandy” Dasgupta, an Indian American scientist who developed an environmentally conscientious method for measuring levels of toxic arsenic in water, has been granted the prestigious American Chemical Society Division of Analytical Chemistry J. Calvin Giddings Award.
The national award, bestowed once per annum, recognizes a scientist who has enhanced the personal and professional development of analytical chemistry students by publishing influential textbooks, designing new approaches to analytical chemistry, mentoring students, developing and publishing innovative experiments, or designing improved equipment.
“I am a third generation university teacher. So, much of this honor I can credit to my father and grandfather—I am merely carrying on that tradition,” stated Dasgupta, who serves as a Jenkins Garrett Professor of Chemistry at The University of Texas at Arlington. “I am especially honored by this award. I have been recognized for some research accomplishments or other in the past but this one recognizes for the first time my commitment to and love for teaching and that is why it is so gratifying,” he continued in a university press release.
As the 2015 recipient of the award, Dasgupta will receive a decorative plaque and cash prize as well as attend the ACS national conference in Boston come August, where he will participate in an awards symposium on educational analytical chemistry.
Dasgupta is the author of over 400 scientific papers and book chapters and holds 25 U.S. patents. His work — which includes methods for environment-friendly analysis of arsenic in drinking water, rapid analysis of trace heavy metals in the atmosphere, and the development of a NASA-funded ion chromatograph for testing extraterrestrial soil during a future mission to Mars — has generated over $18 million in research grants, according to the Science X network.
“Dr. Dasgupta is remarkably accomplished, and his work in analytical chemistry addresses some of the most critical issues in our world,” said President UT Arlington President Vistasp M. Karbhari, in a statement. “This recognition by such a prestigious institution serves as testament to his commitment to teaching and research excellence as well as his dedication to developing the next generation of leaders in discipline.”