An Autobiography of Ronald W. Rousseau

• Published in: Annual review of chemical and biomolecular engineering Vol. 9; no. 1; pp. 1 - 16
• Main Author: Rousseau, Ronald W
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Annual Reviews 07.06.2018; Annual Reviews, Inc
• Subjects: amino acids; Amino Acids - chemistry; autobiography; beta lactams; Career Choice; Careers; Chemical engineering; Chemical Engineering - history; Crystallization; Crystals; decisions; History, 20th Century; Humans; Leadership; Nucleation; Organic chemistry; Purification; Stereoisomerism; nucleation; beta lactams; amino acids; leadership; crystallization; decisions; autobiography
• ISSN: 1947-5438; 1947-5446
• DOI: 10.1146/annurev-chembioeng-060817-083921

This article provides a synopsis of my professional career, from the decision to study chemical engineering to leadership of one of the top academic programs in that field. I describe how I chose to devote my research to phenomena associated with crystallization as practiced for separation and purification and then made the transition to leader of an academic program. Embedded in the coverage are descriptions of research advances coming from exploration of secondary nucleation, especially how collisions of crystals in supersaturated environments dominate the behavior of industrially relevant crystallization processes. I recount some of the challenges associated with becoming a school chair and how the program I led grew. The story illuminates the contributions of my many mentors, colleagues, and students.