Dr Hassan S Bazzi, associate dean for research at Texas A&M University at Qatar (Tamuq), has been named a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC) in recognition of his global contributions to the field of chemistry.
Bazzi is also a professor of chemistry and executive director of development, engagement and outreach. He is also professor of materials science and engineering at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas (US).
Achieving Royal Society Fellow status in the chemical profession denotes to the wider community a high level of accomplishment as a professional chemist, according to the organisation’s website.
Each Fellow must have made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of the chemical sciences; or to the advancement of the chemical sciences as a profession; or have been distinguished in the management of a chemical sciences organisation. The distinction requires acceptance and adherence to a specific code of conduct and an established set of high standards of ethical and professional behaviour.
With his naming as fellow of the RSC, Bazzi joins a distinguished list of Texas A&M chemists who have previously been bestowed with the prestigious honour: Kim Dunbar (2018), Sarbajit Banerjee (2016), Hongcai Joe Zhou (2015), Marcetta Y Darensbourg (2014), Kevin Burgess (2013), Abraham Clearfield (2013), François P Gabbaï (2013) and James D Batteas (2012).
“Dr Bazzi is an outstanding teacher, researcher and leader,” said Dr César Octavio Malavé, dean of Tamuq. “He is a great asset to Texas A&M at Qatar and to our mission here. We are proud of what he has accomplished in his own career and on behalf of our university, and this prestigious recognition is just one more example of his excellence, integrity and leadership.”
Bazzi’s research interests focus on metathesis chemistry as a powerful tool in small molecule and polymer synthesis, in addition to polymer-supported catalysis, DNA-mimetic polymers, and fluorous analogs of ruthenium-based catalysts. He has authored and co-authored more than 80 peer-reviewed scientific publications, three US patents and 130 conference presentations. He has greatly served the broader chemistry community — nationally and internationally — through the various conferences and workshops that he has helped organise over the years. His community service is perhaps most clearly shown in his extensive work on raising awareness of the importance of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) for Qatar.
Bazzi joined the Tamuq faculty in 2004 as assistant professor, was promoted to associate professor in 2009 and then to professor in 2014. He was the first chair of the Science Programme (2006-2014) where he oversaw the growth and expansion of the chemistry, physics and mathematics programmes. He has also served as interim chair of the Petroleum Engineering Programme (2014-2015) and assistant dean for research (2014-2017). In 2018, Bazzi was the founding chair of the Qatar chapter of the American Chemical Society and recently elected as chair for 2018-2020.
“I am very honoured to have been selected to be a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry,” Bazzi said.
Dr Hassan S Bazzi
