Dr. George Whitesides is a preeminent physical chemist whose transformative contributions have reshaped multiple scientific disciplines. He currently holds the prestigious position of Woodford L. and Ann A. Flowers University Professor at Harvard University, one of only a select few faculty members to receive this highest academic honor at the institution. Born in Louisville, Kentucky on August 3, 1939, he earned his A.B. degree from Harvard University in 1960 before completing his Ph.D. at the California Institute of Technology in 1964 under the guidance of John D. Roberts. After establishing his independent research program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology from 1963 to 1982, he returned to Harvard University where he has served since 1982, including as Department Chairman from 1986 to 1989 and as Mallinckrodt Professor of Chemistry until 2004.
Renowned as one of the most cited chemists in history, Dr. Whitesides has authored over 1,200 scientific articles and holds more than 130 patents that have catalyzed innovation across multiple fields. His pioneering work in molecular self-assembly laid the foundation for soft lithography and microcontact printing in the early 1990s, creating revolutionary approaches to nanofabrication. Perhaps most impactful for global health applications, he developed the famous "lab on a chip" technology, a postage stamp-sized diagnostic tool that uses color-changing reactions to detect diseases from small fluid samples in resource-limited settings. His research interests span an extraordinary breadth including biochemistry, materials science, catalysis, nanotechnology, and medical diagnostics, with particular emphasis on creating low-cost, user-friendly solutions for impoverished regions.
Beyond his research, Dr. Whitesides has profoundly shaped science policy through service on numerous national committees addressing science and technology education, research innovation, and national competitiveness. He has mentored more than 300 graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and visiting scholars, many of whom have become leaders in academia and industry, establishing an enduring legacy of scientific excellence. Recognized with the National Medal of Science, Priestley Medal, and ACS Award in Pure Chemistry among numerous other honors, he is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, and American Academy of Arts and Sciences. His current research continues to push boundaries across physical and organic chemistry, materials science, biophysics, complexity, and emerging technologies including soft robotics, maintaining his position at the forefront of interdisciplinary scientific innovation.
