Dr. Mario Molina, born on March 19, 1943, in Mexico City, was a renowned chemist who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1995 for his work in atmospheric chemistry, particularly for his research on the depletion of the ozone layer.

He was the first Mexican-born scientist to receive this prestigious award, and his groundbreaking research has had a significant impact on environmental policies worldwide.

Early Life and Education

Mario Molina was born in Mexico City to parents Roberto Molina Pasquel and Leonor Henríquez Molina. His father was a lawyer, and his mother was a homemaker. Molina showed an early interest in science and mathematics, and his parents encouraged his curiosity by providing him with books and educational materials.

In 1960, Molina attended the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering in 1965. He then pursued graduate studies at the University of Freiburg in Germany, where he received a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry in 1972. His dissertation was titled “Kinetics and Photochemistry of Elementary Reactions Involving Free Radicals.”

Career and Research

After completing his Ph.D., Molina joined the Jet Propulsion Laboratory at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), where he worked as a research scientist from 1972 to 1982. During this time, he collaborated with chemist F. Sherwood Rowland on research related to the impact of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) on the ozone layer.

Their research found that CFCs, which were commonly used in refrigerants and aerosol sprays, were breaking down in the atmosphere and releasing chlorine atoms, which were destroying ozone molecules. This research was groundbreaking, as it was the first to establish a direct link between human activities and the depletion of the ozone layer.

Molina and Rowland’s research faced significant skepticism and resistance from the chemical industry and some politicians, who argued that the economic benefits of CFCs outweighed any potential environmental risks. However, their findings were eventually widely accepted, and in 1985, the discovery led to the signing of the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer.

In 1982, Molina joined the faculty of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) as an associate professor of Chemistry. He became a full professor in 1989 and held the position until his retirement in 2004. While at MIT, Molina continued his research on atmospheric chemistry, particularly on the sources and effects of air pollution in urban areas.

In addition to his research, Molina was an advocate for environmental policies that aimed to address issues related to air pollution and climate change. He served on numerous government and scientific advisory boards and was a member of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which shared the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize with Al Gore.

Honors and Awards

Dr. Mario Molina’s contributions to atmospheric chemistry have been recognized with numerous honors and awards. In addition to the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, he was awarded the Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement in 1983, the United Nations Environment Programme’s Global 500 Roll of Honor in 1987, and the National Medal of Science in 1999.

He was also a member of the National Academy of Sciences, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the Mexican Academy of Sciences, among others.

Later Life and Death

After retiring from MIT in 2004, Molina continued his advocacy work, particularly on issues related to climate change. He served as a scientific advisor to several governments and organizations, including the governments of Mexico and China, and was a founding member of the nonprofit organization Mario Molina Center for Strategic Studies on Energy and the Environment.

Google Doodle Celebrates 80th Birthday of Dr. Mario Molina, Nobel Prize-Winning Chemist and Environmental Advocate

On March 19, 2023, Google marked the 80th birthday of Dr. Mario Molina, a renowned chemist who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1995 for his work in atmospheric chemistry. The Google Doodle featured an image of Molina with the Earth and the ozone layer in the background, symbolizing his groundbreaking research on the depletion of the ozone layer.

Dr. Molina was the first Mexican-born scientist to receive the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, and his work has had a significant impact on environmental policies worldwide. His research on the impact of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) on the ozone layer was the first to establish a direct link between human activities and the depletion of the ozone layer. His research faced significant skepticism and resistance from the chemical industry and some politicians, but eventually, his findings were widely accepted, and they led to the signing of the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer.

In addition to his research, Dr. Molina was an advocate for environmental policies that aimed to address issues related to air pollution and climate change. He served on numerous government and scientific advisory boards and was a member of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which shared the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize with Al Gore.

Dr. Molina’s contributions to atmospheric chemistry have been recognized with numerous honors and awards, including the Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement, the United Nations Environment Programme’s Global 500 Roll of Honor, and the National Medal of Science. He was also a member of the National Academy of Sciences, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the Mexican Academy of Sciences, among others.

After retiring from MIT in 2004, Dr. Molina continued his advocacy work, particularly on issues related to climate change. He served as a scientific advisor to several governments and organizations, including the governments of Mexico and China, and was a founding member of the nonprofit organization Mario Molina Center for Strategic Studies on Energy and the Environment.

The Google Doodle celebrating Dr. Molina’s 80th birthday is a fitting tribute to his contributions to science and the environment. It serves as a reminder of the importance of continued research and advocacy to address the pressing environmental issues facing our planet today.