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  Kenneth Takeuchi

By CHARLOTTE HSU

Published: October 3, 2011

Kenneth J. Takeuchi, SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor in the Department of Chemistry, has been inducted as a 2011 Fellow of the American Chemical Society (ACS).

An independent membership organization that represents professionals in all sciences involving chemistry, the ACS is one of the world’s largest scientific societies. The organization has more than 163,000 members, of whom 568 are fellows.

The Fellows Program, created in 2008, recognizes members’ contributions to science, the profession and the ACS. Takeuchi—the first UB faculty member to receive this honor—was recognized with other inductees at the society’s recent national meeting in Denver.

“Throughout his past 34 years as an ACS member, Ken has exemplified the core values of the ACS: a passion for chemistry and chemistry education, a focus on ACS members, professionalism and a commitment to diversity and inclusion,” said E. Ann Nalley, past ACS president and a professor of chemistry at Cameron University.

A member of the UB faculty since 1983, Takeuchi’s scientific research involves the synthesis and utility of inorganic materials toward energy storage, with a recent focus on synthetic development for crystallite size control.

His contributions to ACS include serving as an ACS Inorganic Examination co-author, a mentor for the ACS Minority Scholars Program, an advisor of the Student Affiliates to the ACS and chair of the Western New York ACS Education Committee. He received a 2006 ACS Stanley Israel Regional Award for Advancing Diversity in the Chemical Sciences.

Takeuchi also has received statewide and national recognition for teaching and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students.

He was named Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching New York Professor of the Year in 2010, and in 2008 was runner-up for the National Inspire Integrity Award from the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. Takeuchi also received a Responsible Care National Catalyst Award from the Chemical Manufacturers Association. He is the only UB faculty member to receive each of these honors.

Locally, Takeuchi’s devotion to his students has been recognized with a variety of awards—most recently the inaugural UB Faculty Award for Excellence in Mentoring Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity in 2011.

He also is a four-time winner of the Milton Plesur Teaching Award from UB’s undergraduate Student Association, an inaugural recipient of the Most Outstanding Graduate Faculty Award from UB’s Graduate Student Association and a recipient of the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching.

Other honors include an inaugural Ronald E. McNair Outstanding Faculty Mentor Award, the CSTEP Essential Piece Award and a Friend of the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) Award.

“Professor Takeuchi has an outstanding ability to assess his individual students’ abilities and to help them maximize their potential through proper training and encouragement,” said Lisa F. Szczepura, a former student who is now a professor of chemistry at Illinois State University. “In addition, he fosters leadership qualities in his students, readying them to accept central positions in their departments and their communities.

“Over 15 years after my graduation, I maintain regular contact with Professor Takeuchi,” Szczepura said. “The continuing advice and support he has provided with respect to my teaching and research efforts has been key to my personal success.”

Takeuchi holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Cincinnati and a doctorate in chemistry from the Ohio State University.