|
| |
CHE Department History - Department Chairs
Dr. Dinesh O. Shah - (1987-1991)
 One
could travel from Calcutta to Kalamazoo and never find another professor like
Dinesh Shah. He is a romantic who writes poetry and finishes his engineering
lectures with philosophic inspirational Indian messages. Dinesh says that
research is an art. "Just as an artist enjoys painting a picture, or a poet
enjoys writing a poem, a scientist does research for his own enjoyment,
regardless of its appreciation by others—although it is nicer when it is also
appreciated by others." He is a very practical scientist and teacher who is
known worldwide and consults for companies all over the globe.
Dinesh received his B.S. and M.S. in physics and mathematics at the University
of Bombay, India, and his Ph.D. in biophysics at Columbia University in 1965,
working with the pioneer surface chemist, J.H. Schulman. He then worked for NASA
at the Ames Research Center in California and the Lamont Geological Observatory
at Columbia University on monomolecular films, microemulsions, and the practical
application of these in retardation of evaporation and the dispersion of oil
spills.
Since coming to UF in 1970, he has divided his time between two
departments—chemical engineering and anesthesiology (in the medical college). On
the medical side, he has developed a product that alleviates the problem of
irritated, dry eyes, and on the engineering side he has learned how to treat
water used in secondary recovery of oil from oil wells in order to improve the
efficiency of that process. He and his students have also contributed much
theoretical research in surface chemistry and physics.
At the UF he organized the Center
for Surface Science and Engineering, which combines the related efforts of
colleagues in all colleges on the UF campus. As Director of this Center, he
reaches out to associates on other campuses as well as in industry. The Center
holds an annual meeting, and at the 1995 meeting (which marked Dr. Shah's 25th
year at UF), the program lasted several days and was attended by several hundred
scientists from a number of different countries.
Proud of his Indian heritage, Dinesh likes to invite his friends to parties,
such as a banquet at a recent Center meeting where there was traditional Indian
music and dancing and native Indian cuisine. Personally, Dinesh is an
easy-going, smiling fellow and an elegant dresser who is always clad in a neatly
pressed suit, shirt, and tie.
When the position of chairman became open in 1987, the faculty asked Shah to
take the position. He cheerfully agreed, with the understanding that after five
years he would go back to his research and teaching. He guided the department
toward greater achievement during those five years, then retired as agreed.
Dr. Shah has received many awards during the past 25 years. To mention just a
few: Excellence in Teaching Award (1972), President's Scholar Award (1975),
Outstanding Achievement Award, Federation of Asian Indians in North America
(1980), Teacher/Scholar of the Year (1984-85), Florida Scientist of the Year
Award (1988), Pride of India Award (1993).
A slide that Dinesh frequently uses to conclude his lectures shows a bouquet of
flowers, a champagne bottle, and a glass filled with the wine. He then quotes
from a poem by the Indian poet, Tagore, "My friend, drink my wine in my own cup
to appreciate its sparkling bubbles."
See Dr. Shah's Faculty Page > >
|
