University of Houston Professor Wins Guggenheim Fellowship

Eric R. Bittner, associate professor of chemistry at the University of Houston, was one of two chemists in the North America selected for a 2007 Guggenheim Fellowship. Bittner won the award for research on “dynamics of electron transfer between organic molecules.” While we haven’t the vaguest idea what that might actually entail, it sounds eminently worthy. Bittner explained, “We’ve collaborated loosely on various fundamental issues regarding how light-emitting diodes and photovoltaic cells based upon organic polymers, or plastics, emit or absorb light.” Oh, right, right.

Bittner plans to use the funds from the fellowship to spend part of next year working with Sir Richard Friend, Cavendish Professor of Physics at Cambridge University and pioneer in the field of ‘polymer optoelectronics’ about which they will no doubt have utterly fascinating conversations. Oh that we could be a fly on the wall.

“I’m really looking forward to celebrating once we get to Cambridge. My two boys will likely attend part of the third grade in the United Kingdom, which will be an awesome experience for them. They’re already learning to play cricket.” The boys are equally excited about the prospect of not having to brush their teeth for a while.