UW Chemist Receives Major Korean Science Prize
Hyuk Yu, Eastman Kodak Professor of Chemistry at UW–Madison and an internationally recognized authority on polymer chemistry and physics, has been named the recipient of the 1997 Ho-Am Basic Science Prize by the Samsung Foundation of Seoul, Korea.
The prize, instituted in 1989 and considered the Korean equivalent of the Nobel Prize, is given each year to Korean citizens or individuals of Korean ancestry in six categories: basic science, engineering, medical science, arts and literature, mass communication, and social services.
“It is really a significant award,” said F. Fleming Crim, chair of the UW-Madison chemistry department. “While the award is directed toward individuals of Korean ancestry, it isn’t restricted to chemists. It’s all of basic science” and it speaks to Yu’s considerable impact on fundamental polymer chemistry and physics.”
Yu, a member of the UW–Madison faculty since 1967, is known for his work in the area of polymer science, especially polymer diffusion and the interfacial phenomena of polymers. While his research is basic, it has impacts on a number of key technologies including the development of biocompatible materials for synthetic organs, dispersing materials for copier technology, oil spill confinement materials, and drug delivery aids.
“He deals with fundamental questions and knows how to make connections with real-world problems,” said Crim.
Yu is the first UW–Madison faculty member to win the award. The Ho-Am Prize, and accompanying gold medal and $120,000 in unrestricted funds, is being conferred in recognition of Yu’s pioneering research on the frontiers of science. He will receive the award in a March 22 ceremony in Seoul.
“Fortunately, they (the award ceremony and the lectures) happen to be right in the middle of spring recess,” said Yu who is teaching freshmen chemistry this semester.
The prize, said Yu, will provide a big boost to his lab: “I have some dilapidated equipment that really needs to be replaced. This will help a great deal.”