Source: Christer Aakeroy, 785-532-6096, aakeroy@k-state.edu
Web site: http://www.ccdc.cam.ac.uk/
News release prepared by: Eric Maatta, 785-532-6665, eam@k-state.edu

Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2009

K-STATE'S CHRISTER AAKEROY NAMED TO BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE CAMBRIDGE CRYSTALLOGRAPHIC DATA CENTRE

MANHATTAN -- A Kansas State University chemistry professor is serving on the board of a prestigious international center that promotes the advancement of the science of chemistry and crystallography for public benefit.

K-State's Christer Aakeroy was recently appointed to a four-year term on the board of governors of the Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre. The center is a nonprofit, charitable institution based at the University of Cambridge in England. It is best known as the provider of the Cambridge Crystallographic Database, the world's foremost repository of molecular crystallographic data with nearly 500,000 crystal structures on file.

Aakeroy is one of eight distinguished scientists on the board and is the only member from North America.

"I am very pleased about this appointment as it provides me with unique opportunities to help shape the future of this tremendously useful research and educational resource, which is employed by scientists across the world," Aakeroy said.

The Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre also sponsors many awards for young scientists worldwide in cooperation with various professional societies, with the board of governors acting as trustee of the center's charitable efforts.

Aakeroy received a master's degree from Uppsala University and a doctorate in chemistry from the University of Sussex. He joined K-State in 1996 and was promoted to professor in 2006. He serves as the regional editor for the Americas for the Royal Society of Chemistry's journal CrystEngComm. He twice has been a visiting professor at the Universite Louis Pasteur in Strasbourg, France.

Aakeroy teaches Honors Chemistry 1 and Chemistry 2 at K-State. Along with crystal engineering, his research interests also include supramolecular and structural chemistry, intermolecular forces and host-guest chemistry.