Stevens professor receives presidential mentoring award
HOBOKEN, N.J. — A professor at Stevens Institute of Technology has been selected to receive a Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring. Dr. Ajay Kumar Bose, Professor of Chemistry, is one of 10 individuals from across the United States who will receive the 1999 award, which is administered and funded through the National Science Foundation.
On Dec. 6, Bose will receive the award in the fourth ceremony for the award at the White House. The award includes a $10,000 education grant and a commemorative presidential certificate. According to a news release from the White House, two central goals of the Clinton administration's science and technology policy have been to produce the world's finest scientists and engineers for the 21st century and to help all Americans achieve basic scientific literacy. The White House established the Mentoring Awards as one strategy to achieve the goal of developing a pool of highly trained scientists and engineers that reflects the nation's diverse population.
"No personal influence is as powerful, long-lasting and positive as that of a superlative mentor. The mentors receiving this award are a true national resource who play a key role in defining the quality of our nation’s future human resources in science, mathematics, technology and engineering," added NSF Director Rita Colwell in a news release announcing the 1999 awards.
For more than 40 years, Bose has conducted educational, research and mentoring programs that have enhanced the science and engineering careers of hundreds of women and minority students at the pre-college, undergraduate and graduate levels.
He is the founder and director of the Undergraduate Projects in Technology and Medicine (UPTAM) summer research program, which since 1972 has helped more than 400 students pursue careers in medicine and chemical sciences. Bose’s pre-college version of the program has helped high school teachers convey the excitement of chemistry through experimentation and has recruited many disadvantaged students from inner city schools for summer research experiences. Among a variety of other educational projects, his "Equipment of the Month Club" lends sophisticated equipment to inner city schools. Another program, "Alliance for Science Excellence," in collaboration with pharmaceutical companies, provides hands-on training to science teachers.
Bose, a faculty member at Stevens Institute of Technology since 1959, is internationally known for his research contributions in the field of penicillin chemistry and other areas of medicinal chemistry. Currently, he and his research group are making valuable contributions in the emerging technology of microwave assisted chemistry for environmentally friendly processes that can assist pharmaceutical companies and provide inexpensive laboratory training to high school students.
Among the other awards Bose has received are the Ranbaxy Science Foundation Award for excellence in research in medicinal chemistry and the 1997 National Catalyst Award of the Chemical Manufacturers Association for excellence in chemistry teaching. He was the 1990 New Jersey Professor of the Year, and a 1999 recipient of the American Chemical Society Award for Encouraging Disadvantaged Students into Careers in the Chemical Sciences. A 1992 New Jersey State Resolution recognized him for his contributions to science and education.
About Stevens Institute of Technology
Founded in 1870 and celebrating 140 Years of Innovation, Stevens Institute of Technology, The Innovation University TM , lives at the intersection of industry, academics and research. The University's students, faculty and partners leverage their collective real-world experience and culture of innovation, research and entrepreneurship to confront global challenges in engineering, science, systems and technology management.
Based in Hoboken, N.J. and with a location in Washington, D.C., Stevens offers baccalaureate, master’s, certificates and doctoral degrees in engineering, the sciences and management, in addition to baccalaureate degrees in business and liberal arts. Stevens has been recognized by both the US Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security as a National Center of Excellence in the areas of systems engineering and port security research. The University has a total enrollment of more than 2,200 undergraduate and 3,700 graduate students with almost 450 faculty. Stevens’ graduate programs have attracted international participation from China, India, Southeast Asia, Europe and Latin America as well as strategic partnerships with industry leaders, governments and other universities around the world. Additional information may be obtained at www.stevens.edu and www.stevens.edu/press.
