John Michael Prausnitz

John M. Prausnitz is Professor of the Graduate School, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley.  Prausnitz is considered the "father of molecular thermodynamics in chemical engineering." He is one of the principal architects behind the design of modern chemical manufacturing processes, whose work dramatically changed how the thermodynamic properties of mixtures required for chemical processing are calculated. As a result of his efforts, large-scale chemical plants, such as petroleum refineries and facilities for the manufacture of petrochemicals, plastics and pharmaceuticals are safer, more energy-efficient, and less polluting than they used to be. More recently, Prausnitz has applied molecular thermodynamics to the biotechnology industry. Honors include, honorary doctoral degrees from 4 universities; Member, National Academy of Sciences and National Academy of Engineering, and recipient of the National Medal of Science (2003).