Midland, MI - February 17, 2006
Lanny Robbins, Ph.D., a retired Research Fellow at The Dow Chemical Company, has been elected to the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) for the development of novel commercial separation and purification processes for environmental control that have greatly improved the removal of trace impurities.
Election to the National Academy of Engineering is among the highest professional distinctions accorded to an engineer. According to the Academy, it honors those who have made outstanding contributions to engineering research, practice, or education, to engineering literature and to the pioneering of new and developing fields of technology, making major advancements in traditional fields of engineering, or developing/implementing innovative approaches to engineering education.
"Lanny has been one of the real innovators and contributors to chemical engineering science. Over his 37 year career at Dow he has made a tremendous impact on the efficiency of our processes and was very effective at developing future generations of scientists," says Hank Kohlbrand, R&D Director, Engineering & Process Sciences, Dow.
Robbins' Accomplishments
Dr. Robbins is the author of the liquid-liquid extraction chapter in Perry's Chemical Engineer's Handbook and has researched, developed and implemented many separation and purification processes used in Dow. He received the prestigious H. H. Dow Gold Medal from the Dow Board of Directors in 1993.
Robbins started at Dow in 1966 and was employed in Research and Development. He retired as a Research Fellow in 2003 in the Engineering Sciences Lab. Robbins received his bachelor's, master's, and Ph.D. degrees in chemical engineering from Iowa State University.
Robbins Joins Other NAE Recipients from Dow
Robbins joins three other NAE recipients from Dow who include William F. Banholzer, Chief Technology Officer; Madan Bhasin, Senior Scientist; and Walter J. Schrenk, retired Senior Research Scientist.
About NAE
Founded in 1964, the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) provides engineering leadership in service to the United States. The NAE operates under the same congressional act of incorporation that established the National Academy of Sciences, signed in 1863 by President Lincoln. According to the charter, the NAE is directed -- whenever called upon by any department or agency of the government -- to investigate, examine, experiment, and report upon any subject of science or art. The NAE is a private, independent, nonprofit institution. In addition to its role as advisor to the federal government, the NAE also conducts independent studies to examine important topics in engineering and technology.
The NAE has more than 2,000 peer-elected members and foreign associates, senior professionals in business, academia, and government who are among the world's most accomplished engineers. They provide the leadership and expertise for numerous projects focused on the relationships between engineering, technology, and the quality of life. More information about NAE can be found at www.nae.edu.
About The Dow Chemical Company
Dow is a diversified chemical company that harnesses the power of science and technology to improve living daily. The Company offers a broad range of innovative products and services to customers in more than 175 countries, helping them to provide everything from fresh water, food and pharmaceuticals to paints, packaging and personal care products. Built on a commitment to its principles of sustainability, Dow has annual sales of $46 billion and employs 42,000 people worldwide. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted.
For Editorial Information:
Kathleen Davis
The Dow Chemical Company
(989) 636-2760
