Mario Molina
Google Doodle is celebrating the birth of Mario Molina, a renowned Mexican chemist who made groundbreaking contributions to the field of atmospheric chemistry and environmental protection. Molina was born on March 19, 1943, in Mexico City, Mexico, and his work helped to raise awareness about the dangers of air pollution and the importance of environmental protection. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1995 for his work on the ozone layer and atmospheric chemistry. Today, on what would have been his 80th birthday, we honor Molina's legacy and contributions to science and the environment.
Early Life
Mario Molina was born on March 19, 1943, in Mexico City, Mexico. His parents were Roberto Molina Pasquel, a lawyer and diplomat, and Leonor Henríquez Molina, a homemaker. Mario was the youngest of four children in the family.
During his early years, Mario Molina was interested in science and would conduct experiments in his home. He was a curious child and was always eager to learn new things. Molina's parents recognized his talents and encouraged him to pursue his interests in science.
Molina attended the National Autonomous University of Mexico, where he earned his undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering in 1965. While at the university, he was fascinated by the study of atmospheric chemistry, which would later become the focus of his research.
After completing his undergraduate studies, Molina moved to the United States to pursue his PhD in physical chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley. He graduated in 1972 with a thesis on the dynamics of chemical reactions.
Molina's early life played a significant role in shaping his future career as a scientist. His curiosity and love for science were instilled in him from a young age and continued to grow throughout his education. His passion for learning and dedication to scientific research would lead him to make groundbreaking discoveries in atmospheric chemistry, ultimately earning him the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1995.
Education
Mario Molina's education played a crucial role in his career as a scientist. He earned his undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering from the National Autonomous University of Mexico in 1965. During his time at the university, he was interested in atmospheric chemistry, which he would later study in depth.
After completing his undergraduate studies, Molina moved to the United States to pursue his PhD in physical chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley. At Berkeley, he worked under the guidance of George Pimentel, a renowned physical chemist. Molina's thesis was titled "Molecular Dynamics and Reaction Rates for Reactions in the Gas Phase," which explored the dynamics of chemical reactions.
During his time at Berkeley, Molina became interested in the effects of man-made pollutants on the environment, particularly in the atmosphere. He worked on research projects related to atmospheric chemistry and air pollution, which laid the foundation for his later work on the effects of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) on the ozone layer.
After earning his PhD, Molina went on to work as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of California, Irvine. There, he worked with F. Sherwood Rowland, a chemist who would later become his research partner in the study of CFCs and the ozone layer.
Molina's education provided him with the knowledge and skills necessary to make groundbreaking discoveries in atmospheric chemistry. His work at Berkeley and Irvine laid the foundation for his later research, which would ultimately earn him the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1995.
Achievements
Mario Molina's achievements in the field of atmospheric chemistry and environmental protection were numerous and significant. Some of his most notable achievements include:
Discovery of the harmful effects of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) on the ozone layer: Molina, along with his research partner F. Sherwood Rowland, discovered that CFCs were contributing to the depletion of the Earth's ozone layer. Their research showed that CFCs released into the atmosphere would break down and release chlorine atoms, which would then react with ozone molecules and break them down, resulting in a hole in the ozone layer. This discovery led to the signing of the Montreal Protocol in 1987, an international treaty that phased out the production of CFCs.
Contributions to the development of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments: Molina was a member of the National Academy of Sciences panel that contributed to the development of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments, which aimed to reduce air pollution in the United States.
Founding the Mario Molina Center for Energy and Environment: In 2004, Molina founded the Mario Molina Center for Energy and Environment, which is dedicated to promoting sustainable development and environmental protection in Mexico and other Latin American countries.
Awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1995: Molina, along with F. Sherwood Rowland and Paul Crutzen, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1995 for their work on the ozone layer and atmospheric chemistry.
Molina's achievements have had a lasting impact on the environment and on global efforts to address climate change. His research and advocacy have helped to raise awareness about the dangers of air pollution and the importance of environmental protection.
Family
Mario Molina came from a family of intellectuals and achievers. His father, Roberto Molina Pasquel, was a lawyer and diplomat who served as Mexico's ambassador to the United Nations and to the United States. His mother, Leonor Henríquez Molina, was a homemaker who supported her children's education and interests.
Molina was the youngest of four children in the family. His oldest brother, Enrique Molina, was a renowned Chilean poet and writer. His other brother, Gustavo Molina, was a physician and professor of medicine. His sister, Leonor Molina-Petri, was an art historian and museum director.
Molina was married to Guadalupe Álvarez, a psychologist and environmental activist. They had two children together, Felipe and Tania. Both of his children followed in their father's footsteps, pursuing careers in science and environmental protection.
Molina's family was supportive of his education and career, and his siblings were also accomplished in their own fields. His father's diplomatic career also likely played a role in Molina's international education and career path. Overall, Molina's family was a source of inspiration and support throughout his life and career.
Death
Mario Molina passed away on October 7, 2020, in Mexico City, Mexico. He was 77 years old at the time of his death.
The cause of Molina's death was not immediately released, but it was reported that he had been battling cancer. His death was widely mourned by the scientific community and environmental advocates around the world.
Molina's passing was a great loss to the field of atmospheric chemistry and environmental protection. His groundbreaking research on the effects of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) on the ozone layer and his advocacy for environmental protection had a significant impact on global efforts to address climate change.
In the wake of his death, many organizations and individuals paid tribute to Molina's legacy. The Mario Molina Center for Energy and Environment, which Molina founded in 2004, released a statement saying that they would continue to work to fulfill Molina's vision of a more sustainable and equitable world. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a United Nations body that Molina contributed to, also paid tribute to Molina's contributions to the fight against climate change.
Despite his passing, Molina's legacy continues to inspire and guide future generations of scientists and environmental advocates.