Mark S. Wrighton

Mark S. Wrighton
Name	Mark S. Wrighton
Birth date	11 July 1949
Birth place	St. Louis, Missouri, United States
Fields	Chemistry, Electrochemistry, Photochemistry
Workplaces	Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Washington University in St. Louis
Alma mater	Florida State University (B.S.), California Institute of Technology (Ph.D.)
Doctoral advisor	Harry B. Gray
Known for	Photoelectrochemistry, Molecular electronics, University leadership
Awards	American Chemical Society Award in Pure Chemistry (1978), Centenary Prize (1995)

Mark S. Wrighton is an American chemist, educator, and academic administrator renowned for his pioneering research in inorganic photochemistry and his transformative leadership in higher education. He served as the 14th chancellor of Washington University in St. Louis from 1995 to 2019, one of the longest tenures of any major university leader. His scientific career, primarily at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, produced foundational work in surface chemistry, photoelectrochemistry, and the early development of molecular electronics.

Early life and education

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Wrighton developed an early interest in science. He pursued his undergraduate studies in chemistry at Florida State University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree. For his doctoral work, he attended the California Institute of Technology, where he was a student of the eminent inorganic chemist Harry B. Gray. His PhD research focused on the photochemistry of transition metal complexes, laying the groundwork for his future investigations into light-induced electron transfer processes.

Academic career

Upon completing his doctorate, Wrighton joined the faculty of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1973. He rose rapidly through the academic ranks, becoming a full professor in 1979. At MIT, he held several significant administrative posts, including head of the Department of Chemistry and later provost from 1990 to 1995. As provost, he was the chief academic and operating officer under President Charles M. Vest, overseeing all educational and research programs at the institute.

Research and scientific contributions

Wrighton's research laboratory at MIT was highly influential in the fields of inorganic chemistry and materials science. He made seminal contributions to understanding photoelectrochemical cells and the modification of semiconductor surfaces with molecular catalysts. His work on using light to drive chemical reactions on surfaces had significant implications for solar energy conversion. In the 1990s, his group was among the first to demonstrate fundamental concepts in molecular electronics, constructing and testing electrical circuits using single molecules, which paved the way for advancements in nanotechnology.

University presidency

In 1995, Wrighton was appointed the 14th chancellor of Washington University in St. Louis. His 24-year tenure was marked by substantial growth in the university's academic stature, financial resources, and physical campus. He oversaw the successful completion of a major capital campaign, a significant expansion of the Danforth Campus, and the strengthening of key partnerships with the Barnes-Jewish Hospital and the St. Louis Children's Hospital. Under his leadership, the university's endowment grew considerably, and its schools, including the School of Medicine and the Olin Business School, achieved higher national rankings.

Awards and honors

Wrighton has received numerous accolades for his scientific and leadership accomplishments. Early in his career, he was awarded the prestigious American Chemical Society Award in Pure Chemistry in 1978. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the American Philosophical Society. Other notable honors include the Centenary Prize from the Royal Society of Chemistry and the Award in Surface Chemistry from the American Chemical Society. He has also been awarded several honorary doctorates from institutions such as University of Notre Dame and University of Southern California.

Personal life

Wrighton is married to Risa Zwerling Wrighton, a community volunteer and advocate for the arts. Together, they have been active supporters of cultural and civic institutions in St. Louis, including the Saint Louis Art Museum and the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. An avid fan of St. Louis Cardinals baseball, he is also known for his commitment to physical fitness, often seen jogging across the university campus.

Category:American chemists Category:Washington University in St. Louis chancellors Category:Massachusetts Institute of Technology faculty Category:1949 births Category:Living people