Van Oss Honored With Festschrift

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- A festschrift -- a collection of writings by various authors to recognize a distinguished individual on a special occasion -- has been published by the Journal of Dispersion Science and Technology to honor Carel J. van Oss, Ph.D., University at Buffalo professor emeritus of microbiology, on his 75th birthday.

The journal publishes research results, reviews and industrial news about dispersion, emulsion, microemulsion and phase equilibria as they apply to various scientific and industrial fields.

The issue's guest editors are UB faculty members Wenju Wu, research assistant professor of chemistry, and Patricia Constanza, research assistant professor of geology.

Some 28 articles authored by 65 scientists appear under chapter headings of mineral colloids and particles; organic colloidal and particles; biosurfaces, biopolymers and cells; adhesion, bioadhesion, adsorption and specific adhesion, and surface thermodynamic methods.

van Oss' interdisciplinary research focuses on immunochemistry, colloid and surface science, and the common link between large molecules, living cells and mineral particles.

A native of the Netherlands, he came to the U.S. in 1963 and joined the UB faculty in 1967 as professor of microbiology and adjunct professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering. More recently, his research led him to be named an adjunct professor in UB's Department of Geology.

Author or co-author of five texts and more than 300 scientific articles, van Oss has served as an editor or member of editorial boards for several journals.

van Oss was decorated for his work in the Dutch Resistance during World War II.

At great risk, he forged identity cards and other documents that helped save hundreds of Jews from the Nazi invaders. Later in the course of the war, he forged a German officer's name on papers to release food shipments to starving countrymen.

A resident of Williamsville, he served as honorary consul of the Netherlands in Western New York from 1970-90.