TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - The Florida State University community mourns the loss of one of their most brilliant professors. Nobel Prize Winner, Sir Harold Kroto, passed away over the weekend at the age of 76 years old.
About 14 years ago, FSU's president at the time challenged the faculty to recruit a Nobelist to become a part of the staff. That's when professor of chemistry, Dr. Alan Marshall said he approached Kroto, "I knew him about 25 years ago in Canada and we had spent some time there so I asked him if he might have some interest to move."
Kroto spent 37 years teaching at the University of Sussex in England before moving to Tallahassee. The professor earned a Nobel Prize in 1996 for his co-discovery of new molecule, called "Buckyballs." In 2001, Kroto received the Royal Society's Prestigious Michael Faraday Award. That award is given to a scientist who helps to further public communication of science, engineering or technology.
Marshall says not only was Kroto a brilliant bio-chemist, he was a great person, "It's a big loss. He helped everyone. He collaborated with several faculty...improved their careers, nominated people for awards..and just a great guy to have a around."
