George DUCA, academician

Gheorghe Duca, President of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova,
chemist, founder of the Research School on Ecological Chemistry

Research areas: Physical Chemistry and Ecological Chemistry. Hability Doctor in Chemistry (1989), University Professor (1992), Correspondent Member (1992) and Full Member (2000) of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova (ASM). Member of the American Chemical Society (1997), Member of Moscow Academy of Pedagogic and Social Sciences (1999), Honorary Member of Romanian Academy (2007), Member of the Central-European Academy of Sciences and Arts (2008), Foreign Member of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (2009).

He was born on February 29, 1952, in Copaceni village, Singerei region, Republic of Moldova. Graduated the Chemical Faculty of the State University of Moldova (SUM - 1974). Following the doctorate studies at the same institution (1976-1979), he was engaged as an assistant (1979–1983), docent (1983-1989) and head of the Chair of Physical Chemistry (1988-1992). During the same period, he is involved in research and teaching activities in the field of environment at the „La Sapienza” University in Rome (1989-1992). Later, he founded and headed the Chair of Industrial and Ecological Chemistry and the Research Center of Applied and Ecological Chemistry at SUM (1992-1998). He worked as a dean of the Faculty of Ecology of the Free International University of Moldova (1992-1995), and a Member of Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, President of Parliamentary Commission on Culture, Science, Education and Mass-Media (1998-2001). During 2001-2004, he headed the Ministry of Ecology, Construction and Territorial Development. On February 5, 2004, he was elected as President of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova, and on February 21, 2008, re-elected for this position by the scientific community.

Being the founder of the Scientific School in Ecological Chemistry, he developed the theory of the redox state in the environment, has elucidated the reduction-oxidation mechanisms of the components during the process of aquatic systems and wine products quality formation. The following processes and methods have been elaborated: technologies of physical-chemical and biochemical treatment of wastewaters; wastes management; preparation of medical and cosmetic substances; reducing of toxic air emissions; chemical risk assessment methods in the appearance of pulmonary and gastro-intestinal cancer; new processes of biologically active substances preparation; ecological audit; ecological education. The results of his research have been reflected in more than 750 works, both in the Republic of Moldova and abroad, including 71 monographs and manuals. He is the author of 137 patents, many of them being awarded with the distinctions, gold and silver medals at the International Salons on Inventions and Innovations in Brussels, Geneva, Budapest, Iassy, Moscow, London, Sofia, Beijing.

He is the President of the Scientific Council conferring the scientific degree of doctor and hability doctor in chemistry. Under his supervision 14 theses of doctor and hability doctor of sciences have been developed and defended, two International Workshops (1985, 2008) and three International Conferences on Ecological Chemistry (1995, 2002, 2005) were organized. Being involved in educational and training activities, he elaborated the methodological and scientific principles for opening the specialty of Ecological Chemistry at the Faculty of Chemistry of SUM, has developed the first cycle of lectures, which was edited in three languages – Romanian, Russian and English, and is used as a manual in the Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russia, Kazakhstan, USA. He has presented the abstracts and presentations at more then 280 of National and International Scientific Congresses, Symposiums and Conferences. He held the lectures at the Universities of Rome, Turin (Italy), Texas, California (USA), Zurich (Switzerland), Budapest (Hungary), Prague (Czechia), Iassy, Timisoara, Cluj, Bucharest (Romania). He was elected a Member of the International Academy of Informatics (1999), Honorary Member of the „Gheorghe Ionescu-Siseşti” Academy of Agricultural and Silvic Sciences of Romania (2006), Doctor Honoris Causa of „Gh. Asachi” Technical University at Iassy, Romania (2000), of Cahul University of Natural and Humanities Sciences (2001), of „Aleco Russo” Balti State University (2006), of the Academy of Economic Sciences of Moldova (2006) and the „Vasile Goldis” Western University of Arad (2006). He is a Head of the Editor’s Offices of the journals Mediul ambiant, Chemistry Journal of Moldova, Akademos (Moldova), member of the Editor’s Office of the journals Химия и технология воды (Ukraine), Environmental Engineering and Management Journal (Romania), CLEAN - Soil, Air, Water (Germany).

He has contributed substantially in the process of science and education management and organization, has stimulated the signing of the Bilateral Agreement between the Republic of Moldova and USA, he has established the Moldovan Research and Development Association which has amplified the scientific collaboration with the US scientists. He is one of initiators and promoters of the Code on Science and Innovation of the Republic of Moldova, adopted by the Parliament on July 15, 2004, which is the base of revitalizing and modernizing of science and innovation field in the Republic of Moldova. As a result, the Academy of Sciences succeeded to enlarge its prerogatives, to consolidate the human resources, to optimize its structure, becoming the prestigious institution with the real impact on the society and economy. Currently, ASM is actively involved in the process of European integration of the Republic of Moldova, having established the strategic partnership relations with tens of the Academies, Scientific Societies throughout the world, with EU and NATO in the framework of regional and continental projects.

The research, teaching and managerial achievements of Acad. Gheorghe Duca have been recognized both in our country and abroad. He was granted the following titles (Republic of Moldova): „Om Emerit” (1996), Laureate of the State Award (in 1983, 1995 and 2000), Scientist of the Year 2004, and “Gloria Muncii” Order (2007). At the international level, he was decorated with the Commandor Cross of Order of Honour (Poland, 2004), with the „Cultural Merit” at the grade of commandor, category „Scientific Research” (Romania, 2006). He is a holder of the Cavaler title of the „Order for Inventions” (Belgium, 2003), of the Gold Medal of World International Property Organization „Remarkable Inventor” (1998), Gold Medal for the Eminent Services for Progress (Brussels, 2005), „Henri Coanda” Medal (Romania, 1997), „N. S. Kurnakov” Medal (Russia, 2007), „V.I. Blinikov” Gold Medal (Eurasian Patent Organization, 2008). In 2008, the collection „Lumea vegetală şi animală a Moldovei” („Vegetal and Animal World of Moldova”), initiated by the Acad. Gheorghe Duca and „Stiinta” Publishing House, was granted the prestigious award „Grigore Antipa” of the Romanian Academy.

Foreign languages knowledge: Russian, Italian, English, French.

He is married with Mrs. Maria Duca, Hability Doctor in Biology, University Professor, Correspondent member of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova.

Has three children and three grand-children.

Updated in November 2011.