March 14, 2003

Contact: Ranjit Arab, University Relations, (785) 864-8855.

KU professor among elite crowd honored by the Chemical Society of Japan

LAWRENCE -- Daryle Busch's first visit to Japan was under difficult circumstances. The year was 1946 and Busch was an 18-year-old soldier in the U.S. Army of Occupation, working in the surgeon general's office.

The country was devastated by war, but Busch still remembers the strength and kindness of the people he met.

"Here was an army of occupation of 18-, 19-year-old men who had no grudge and were wide-eyed because this was a new world," he recalled. "The people saw this and were very warm and welcoming to us."

Busch, distinguished professor of chemistry at the University of Kansas, has returned to Japan numerous times over the years as a scientist and a teacher. When he travels to Japan again this month, it will be an extra special visit.

Busch will be among six scientists inducted as honorary members of the Chemical Society of Japan on March 18. The induction ceremony, in Tokyo, is part of the society's 125th anniversary celebration.

He will be among elite company at the ceremony. The emperor and empress of Japan are scheduled to attend, and four of the six inductees have received the Nobel Prize in chemistry.

Busch, who was president of the American Chemical Society in 2000, will be recognized for a career of innovative leadership, research and teaching. His most recent research focuses on the emerging field of environment-friendly "green chemistry."

By teaming with fellow KU researcher Bala Subramaniam, distinguished professor and chair of chemical and petroleum engineering, Busch is helping develop a carbon-dioxide-based solvent that cuts down on both pollution and costs. The solvent will impact a number of industries, including agriculture and petroleum processing. It also will improve a number of products, such as synthetic fibers, antifreeze and bleach for dry cleaning.

Although Busch is reluctant to admit it, the relationship he has maintained with Japan over the years has played a substantial role in helping that nation remain competitive in the field of chemistry.

"I've had a number of people from Japan come to my labs and study with me, so I've had a little bit of impact on their science," he said.

Thirty years ago, Kristin Bowman-James, professor of chemistry at KU, had just completed her doctoral research in Israel when she went to work for Busch, who was a faculty member at Ohio State University at the time. Their paths crossed again years later at KU. Bowman-James said Busch's research always remained on the cutting edge throughout those years.

"Daryle helped raise the level of research at KU just by his being here," she said. "He's just incredible with team building and getting people enthusiastic about research."

Along with being an inspirational researcher and mentor, she said, Busch also was like a father.

"A lot of people who are at the top of their field are snobbish and political -- but he was never like that," she said. "He made you feel at home. He's just like a dad, and Jeri, his wife, is like a mom."

Bridging cultural gaps and exploring environment-friendly alternatives are just two examples of how Busch has used his influence as a leading scientist, researcher and teacher in positive ways.

"You can't overcome evil with science, but you can remove a lot of suffering," he said. "There is every opportunity to help raise all of the world to something more approaching a common standard of survivability and comfort in life."