Background
Somasundaran, Ponisseril was born on June 28, 1939 in Pazhookara, Kerala, India. Arrived in the United States, 1961. Son of Kumara Moolayil and Lakshmikutty (Amma) Pillai.
surface and colloid engineering educator
Somasundaran, Ponisseril was born on June 28, 1939 in Pazhookara, Kerala, India. Arrived in the United States, 1961. Son of Kumara Moolayil and Lakshmikutty (Amma) Pillai.
Bachelor of Science, Kerala University, Trivandrum, India, 1958. Bachelor of Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, 1961. Master of Science, University California, Berkeley, 1962.
Doctor of Philosophy, University California, Berkeley, 1964.
Research engineer University California, 1964, International Minerals & Chemical Corporation, Skokie, Illinois, 1965-1967. Research chemist Richard Joshua Reynolds Industries, Inc., Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 1967-1970. Associate professor Columbia University, New York City, 1970-1978, professor mineral engineering, 1978-1983, La Von Duddleson Krumb professor, 1983-1997.
Director National Science Foundation Industry University Cooperative Research Center in Novel Surfactants, since 1998. Honorary professor Wuhan Institute Chemical Technology, since 2001. Chairman Henry Krumb School Chemical Engineering, Materials Science and Mining Engineering, Columbia University, 1988—1997.
Director Langmuir Center for Colloids and Interfaces Columbia University, since 1987. Member panel National Research Council. Chairman numerous ianternat. symposia and National Science Foundation workshops.
Member advisory panel Bureau Mines Generic Center, 1983—1991. Keynote and plenary lecturer international meetings. Honorary professor Central South University of Technology, China.
Brahm Prakash professor metallurgy and material science Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, 1990. Honorary research advisor Beijing General Research Institute, since 1991. Henry Krumb lecturer American Institute of Mining, 1988.
Consultant in field; honorary professor Amrita University, since 2008. Chairman International Colloid and Surface Science Symposium & 83rd American Chemical Society Colloid and Surface Science Symposium. Fellow American Institute Chemical Engineers, since 2009.
Chairman 13th International Conference Colloid & Surface Sciences.
President Keralasamajam of Greater New York, New York City, 1974-1975. Board directors Federation Indian Associates, New York City, 1974-1995, Volunteers in Service to Education in India, Hartford, Connecticut, since 1974. Member planning board Village of Piermont, New York, 1995-2000, member zoning board appeals, since 2000, member citizens advisory committee, since 2000.
Fellow American Institute of Chemical Engineers, Russian Academy National Sciences (foreign), Chinese Academy Engineering (foreign) Indian National Academy Engineering, Institution Mining and Metallurgy (United Kingdom). Member National Academy of Engineering, Society Mining Engineers (board directors 1982-1985, Distinguished member award, also others), Engineering Foundation (chairman board 1993-1995, chairman conference committee 1985-1988, board executive committee 1985-1988, board directors since 1991, Frank Aplan award 1992), American Chemical Society, New York Academy of Sciences, Russian Academy Natural Sciences (foreign), International Association Colloid and Surface Scientists (councillor 1989-1992), Indian Material Research Society (honorary), Sigma Xi, Backan Academy of Sciences Mineral Technology.
Married Usha N., May 25, 1966. 1 child, Tamara.
