OSU professor awarded 2005 Oklahoma Chemist Award

Friday, April 22, 2005

The American Chemical Society has honored Oklahoma State University scientist Neil Purdie with the 2005 Oklahoma Chemist Award.

Purdie, professor and chairman of OSU's Chemistry Department, was recognized by the Oklahoma Sections of ACS for his contributions to Oklahoma as a groundbreaking scientist. ACS is the most prestigious chemistry organization in the nation. 

It honored Purdie for his long, distinguished career and extensive research. Of the last 59 granted, Purdie is the ninth OSU professor to be honored with the award. In 2000, he received the Oklahoma Scientist of the Year award.

"With each recognition from my students and peers, I relish the feeling that I have led and will lead others by my own example," Purdie said.

Starting as a physical chemist, Purdie's research has spanned inorganic to analytical chemistry. His current project aims to solve one of the most critical problems in medicine: finding a reliable way to measure blood lipids, or fats, in a single test. Purdie said a reliable method would allow doctors to detect better the early signs of heart disease and other lipid-cholesterol-related diseases.

Known for his concise and humorous lectures, Purdie's career is marked with teaching awards, including the Regents Distinguished Teaching Award in 1995, the Mortar Board Outstanding Teacher at OSU in 1991, and the Amoco Foundation Outstanding Teacher in 1980.  In 1990, he was the first OSU professor to receive the Oklahoma Foundation Medal of Excellence in Higher Education.

"Dr. Purdie has been recognized as an outstanding teacher, and I appreciate his nearly 40 years of service as a faculty member in the OSU Chemistry Department," said Peter Sherwood, OSU College of Arts and Sciences dean.

A native of Castle Douglas, Scotland, Purdie earned his Ph.D. from the University of Glasgow and has been a faculty member at OSU since 1965.