Brookhaven Science Associates (BSA) granted tenure effective August 1 to five Brookhaven scientists: Michael Blaskiewicz, Collider-Accelerator Department (C-AD); Jamie Dunlop, Physics Department; Alexei Fedotov, C-AD; Etsuko Fujita, Chemistry Department; and Huilin Li, Biology Department. Tenure appointments are granted by action of the BSA Board after a rigorous selection procedure overseen by the BSA Science & Technology Steering Committee. In making tenure decisions, the BSA Board is advised by members of the Brookhaven Council, an elected body that advises the Director on matters affecting the scientific staff. This is the third in a series of profiles.

Etsuko Fujita Awarded Tenure

Etsuko Fujita

Etsuko Fujita

Chemist Etsuko Fujita has received tenure for her contributions to the Laboratory's energy research. In particular, she was recognized for her work in the catalysis of carbon dioxide reduction and solar energy-to-fuel conversion, or artificial photosynthesis. "Etsuko Fujita is best known as a fearless, flexible, and extraordinarily talented experimentalist," said Chemistry Department Chair Alex Harris. "She has directed her research to the very challenging task of storing solar energy in the form of chemical fuels, catalytically produced from common low-energy substances such as carbon dioxide and water."

Harris pointed out that national concerns over energy security and rising carbon dioxide levels from fossil fuels have focused attention on the need for viable alternative renewable energy sources. "Solar energy conversion to fuels would provide the advantage of a renewable solar energy source while retaining the critical advantages of storage and transportability of chemical fuels," he said. "The processes that Dr. Fujita is pursuing are conceptually the same processes that green plants, and some photosynthetic microbes, use to harvest and store solar energy."

Fujita earned her B.S. at Ochanomizu University in Japan, in 1972, and her Ph.D. at Georgia Institute of Technology, in 1976. She came to Brookhaven the same year as a research associate in the Department of Applied Science. Fujita later joined the Chemistry Department, in 1986, bringing the Inorganic Photochemistry Group, now merged with the Radiation Chemistry Group, the benefit of her experimental expertise and broad knowledge of macrocycle chemistry and physical methods. Over the years, her research has evolved to focus on inorganic catalysts and photocatalysts for carbon dioxide reduction and water splitting reactions with the goal of solar energy conversion to fuels.

Harris strongly recommended her promotion to tenure, concluding that "Fujita has made highly significant contributions to solving a problem of great scientific and practical importance. The vitality of her research program is apparent from the new creative directions she has taken and her success in building promising new renewable energy programs at the Laboratory."

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