Origins & Early Life

Paul T. Anastas (born May 16, 1962, in Quincy, Massachusetts) is an American scientist, inventor, author, entrepreneur, professor, and public servant. He is the Program Director of the Green Chemistry Initiative at the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. In 2007 he co-founded the Yale University's Center for Green Chemistry and Green Engineering.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Previously he served as the Science Advisor to the United States Environmental Protection Agency as well as the Agency's Assistant Administrator for Research and Development, appointed by President Barack Obama. Anastas is known widely for his work on the design and manufacture of chemicals that are non-hazardous and environmentally benign. He is also a champion of sustainability science and innovation for environmental protection. Anastas has brought worldwide attention to the power of molecular design to help the environment. He has published scores of articles as well as fifteen books, including his seminal work with co-author John Warner, Green Chemistry: Theory and Practice.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Their 12 Principles of Green Chemistry are the basis for high school, college and graduate programs around the world and have significantly altered the...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Andrey Lavrov — Contemporary (Born in 1962) (1962): Three-time Olympic gold medalist and decorated Russian handball legend.
• Arthur Compton — Contemporary (Died in 1962) (1962): Pioneering physicist known for the Compton effect and contributions to nuclear science.
• Auguste Piccard — Contemporary (Died in 1962) (1962): Swiss physicist, inventor, and pioneer of stratospheric and abyssal exploration.
• Andy Kaufman — Shared historical date (05-16 · Died) (1984): Pioneering performance artist known for anti-comedy and character work.
• Bronisław Malinowski — Shared historical date (05-16 · Died) (1942): Pioneering anthropologist known for intensive fieldwork and functionalist theory.
• Baz Luhrmann — Historical peer (Born in 1962) (1962): Iconic Australian auteur known for vibrant, maximalist cinematic style.
• Charles Laughton — Historical peer (Died in 1962) (1962): Iconic British actor celebrated for versatility across stage and screen.
• Albert Ellis — Historical peer (Died in 2007) (2007): Pioneering figure in psychotherapy, founder of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)
• Alfred Peet — Historical peer (Died in 2007) (2007): Dutch-American founder credited with starting the US specialty coffee revolution.
• Charles Perrault — Shared historical date (05-16 · Died) (1703): Foundational French author, credited with establishing the modern genre of the fairy tale.
• 1962 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1962
• May 16 (05-16) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on May 16