Carnegie Mellon University
May 06, 2019

Neil Donahue Named University Professor

The rank of University Professor is the highest faculty standing at Carnegie Mellon University

Julie Mattera
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Atmospheric Chemist Neil Donahue is one of four Carnegie Mellon University faculty members who have been elevated to the rank of University Professor, the highest distinction a faculty member can achieve at CMU.

“University Professors are distinguished by international recognition and for their contributions to education, artistic creativity and/or research,” said Provost Jim Garrett.  “Each University Professor exemplifies a high level of professional achievement, and an exceptional commitment to academic excellence at our university.”

Garrett said the professors were nominated and recommended by academic leaders and faculty who have achieved the designation of University Professor.

Donahue is Lord Professor of Chemistry in the Department of Chemistry and a professor in the departments of Chemical Engineering and Engineering and Public Policy. He also serves as director of CMU’s Steinbrenner Institute for Environmental Education and Research, which promotes collaboration between the university’s environmental research centers.

Donahue’s research group focuses on the behavior of organic compounds in the Earth’s atmosphere, and what happens to compounds from both natural sources and human activity when they are emitted into the atmosphere. More recently, his research has focused on the origin and transformations of very small organic particles, which play a critical role in climate change and human health.

Donahue is a member of numerous professional societies, a fellow of the American Geophysical Union, and an editor for several academic journals.

“This is a huge honor and I am truly delighted,” Donahue said. “It represents recognition by my peers at CMU, who I hold in the highest regard, and it also is an individual honor that more accurately applies to our Center for Atmospheric Particle Studies, which is made up of the most incredible group of colleagues — students and faculty — I could ever wish for.”

Drama Professor Peter Cooke, Hillman Professor Emerita of Computer Sciences and Human-Computer Interaction Sara Kiesler and Ford Distinguished Research Chair and Professor of Operations Management Sridhar Tayur join Donahue in the 2019 class of University Professors.