Michael Detty to receive Schoellkopf Medal

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Michael R. Detty, professor of chemistry in the University at Buffalo College of Arts and Sciences, has been named the recipient of the 2016 Jacob F. Schoellkopf Medal.

The recognition, given annually by the Western New York section of the American Chemical Society (ACS), honors individuals from the Buffalo Niagara region for outstanding work and service in the fields of chemical engineering or chemistry. The medal, awarded since 1931, is the oldest award of the ACS given by a local section.

Detty, PhD, will receive the medal on Sept. 20 at a reception in Depew, New York. The award will be presented to him in recognition of his fundamental research in organoselenium and organotellurium chemistry, and his development of applications of this chemistry toward advances in photodynamic therapy and marine anti-fouling technology. The medal further honors outstanding student mentorship and service to his department and university.

Detty joined UB in 1995 after spending 17 years as a researcher at the Eastman Kodak Company in Rochester, New York, where he worked on teams that specialized in the development of novel infrared-absorbing dye chromphores. At Kodak, he published 62 peer-reviewed publications and generated 26 patents, receiving the Kodak CTO Patent Award in 1994 for his efforts.

At UB, Detty’s research has focused on the design of molecules for specific functions in medicinal chemistry, materials science, aerobic catalysis, solar energy, biofouling and biomedical imaging. His research group has worked with local, national and international partners to develop technologies in areas ranging from photodynamic therapy to solar energy harvesting.

In his years at the university, Detty has authored more than 130 peer-reviewed publications and been named as an inventor on seven additional U.S. patents.

He has also devoted considerable energy to training the next generation of scientists, successfully mentoring 18 PhD candidates and 31 students completing master’s degrees. Thirty-six undergraduate researchers have spent a year or more conducting research in his labs.

Previously, Detty was recognized in 2000 with the Milton Plesur Excellence in Teaching Award from the UB undergraduate Student Association, and in 2004 with the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching.