Who is Mario Molina?

 Mario Molina was a Mexican chemist who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1995 for his work in atmospheric chemistry, particularly concerning the formation and decomposition of ozone. He was born on March 19, 1943, in Mexico City, Mexico, and passed away on October 7, 2020.

Molina studied chemical engineering at the National Autonomous University of Mexico before earning his Ph.D. in physical chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley. He conducted research at various institutions, including the University of California, Irvine, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

In the mid-1970s, Molina began studying the chemistry of the Earth's atmosphere, focusing on the role of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in ozone depletion. He and his research partner, Sherwood Rowland, demonstrated that CFCs broke down the ozone layer, protecting the Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation. Their research was met with skepticism at first but eventually led to international action to phase out the use of CFCs.

Molina was a member of several scientific organizations and received numerous awards for his work in atmospheric chemistry and environmental protection. He also worked to promote science education and international cooperation on environmental issues.