About the Center: Director
Paul T. Anastas
Director, Center for Green Chemistry & Green Engineering at Yale
Professor in the Practice of Green Chemistry,
School of Forestry and Environmental Studies
Biographical Sketch
B.S. University of Massachusetts, 1984
Ph.D. Brandeis University, 1989
Joined Yale Faculty, 2007.
Honorary Doctorate, Queen’s University, Belfast, 2007
John Jeyes Award, Royal Society of Chemistry, 2007
H. John Heinz III Award, Environment, 2006
Scientific American 50 Award, Policy Innovation, 2005
Inaugural Canadian Green Chemistry Medal, Montreal, Canada, 2004
Special Professor, University of Nottingham, 1999 -
Erskine Scholar, University of Canterbury, New Zealand, 2002
Greek Chemical Society Award for Contributions to Chemistry, 2002
Honorary Professor, Queens University, Belfast, N. Ireland, 2001
Joseph Seifter Award for Scientific Excellence in Risk Assessment, 1999
Nolan Sommer Award - Distinguished Contributions to Chemistry, 1999
EPA Bronze Medal - Development of Green Chemistry Expert System, 1999
Vice-President’s Hammer Award – Green Chemistry Program, 1998
EPA Silver Medal - Design and Development EPA’s Green Chemistry Program, 1997.
Research Description
The objective of our research is to achieve increased understanding of the molecular basis of sustainability. Through an elucidation of the properties and interactions that lead to adverse consequence in the human body or in the biosphere, whether toxicological or physical, we can begin to address some of the concerns associated with chemicals in society. The design framework of the Principles of Green Chemistry seek to optimize synthetic pathways and product design around minimum toxicity and material/energy inefficiency.
One of the specific focus areas of research interest is pursuing the generation of heuristic design rules for the construction of molecular structures of reduced hazard. By understanding the detailed mechanism of action of toxicity, it is possible to manipulate the properties regulating pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in ways that reduce or eliminate the target biological endpoint. This framework is being applied to targets of high concern such as endocrine disruptors, persistent and bioaccumulating substances, and engineered nanostructures.
In process design of green chemistry systems, we seek to explore new chemical systems that accomplish efficient transformations and separations through the use of integrated synthetic and molecular engineering techniques.
Selected References
* Zimmerman, J.B.; Anastas, P.T., “Approaches to Innovations in the Aerospace Sector through Green Engineering and Green Chemistry,” SAE Transactions, 2006.
* Anastas, P.T. , Zimmerman, J.B.; “The 12 Principles of Green Engineering as a Foundation for Sustainability” in Sustainability Science and Engineering: Principles Book. Ed. Martin Abraham, Elsevier Science. 2006.
* Anastas, P.T., Zimmerman, J.B., The Green Chemistry Classroom. Chemical Engineer(London), 784, 48-50, 2006.
* Anastas, P.T., Meeting the Challenges to Sustainability through Green Chemistry , Green Chem., 2003, 5 (2) , 29-34, 2003.
* Anastas, P.T., and Zimmerman, J.B., “Design through the Twelve Principles of Green Engineering”, Env. Sci. and Tech., 37, 5, 95 – 101, 2003.
* Poliakoff, M , Fitzpatrick, J.M., Farren, T., and Anastas, P.T., “Green Chemistry: Science and Politics of Change”, Science, 297, 5582, 807-810, Aug. 2, 2002.
* Anastas, P.T. and Kirchhoff, M.M., “Green Chemistry: Origins, Current Status, and Future Challenges”, Accounts of Chemical Research, Oct. 2002.
* Anastas, P.T. and Poliakoff, M., “A Principled Stance”, Nature, 257, 2001.
* Anastas, P.T., Hjeresen, D.L., Kirchhoff, M.M., Ware, S., “A Decade of Progress in Green Chemistry and Future Challenges”, Env. Sci. and Tech., 2001, 35 (5), 114A-119A.
* Tundo, P., Anastas, P.T., et. al., “Synthetic Pathways and Processes in Green Chemistry”. Pure Appl. Chem., 72, 7, 1207-1232, 2001.