Maung S. Htoo, PhD, named a Fellow of Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Honor Society, at the Virtual Annual Meeting of the Society this month.

The Citation read:

"For distinguished accomplishments, salient membership, energy, and insight; and promotion of STEM education at all levels, including the broader scientific community in Dutchess County, NY".

Biography

Maung S. Htoo was born and brought up in Myanmar (Burma). He came to the United States in 1949 to attend the University of Maine in Orono, Maine and study how to make paper from bamboo forests in Myanmar. He received his B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering in 1952 and M.S. degree in Chemical Engineering in 1954 at the University of Maine. He received his Ph.D. degree in Physical Chemistry at Rensselaer Polytechnic University at Troy, NY in 1961. He was elected to be an associate member in1954 and a full member of Sigma Xi in 1961.

He was a research chemist at the International Paper Company, Glens Falls, NY from 1954 to 1961. He joined IBM corp. in 1961 and retired in 1992. During his career at IBM, he was responsible for all photolithography processes for the first integrated circuit chip in the IBM plant in East Fishkill and selecting the materials and cooling systems for IBM Mainframes manufactured in Poughkeepsie, NY. He was Senior Technical Staff Member and manager of the Chemical, Electrical and Mechanical Analysis laboratories in Poughkeepsie before he retired.

He was a visiting professor of Chemistry at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY from 1992 to 1997; an adjunct professor of Chemistry at State University of New York at New Paltz, NY from 1998 to 2005 and an adjunct instructor of Chemistry at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY since 2006.He also taught in the evenings at Dutchess Community College, Poughkeepsie, NY as an adjunct professor of Chemistry from 1966 to 2005.

He has been secretary/treasurer of Vassar college chapter of Sigma Xi since 1997. His other volunteer activities are: (a) Director of the Dutchess County Regional Science Fair since 1989, (b) President of Vassar Brothers Institute since 1998, (c) Chairman of the Town of LaGrange Conservation Advisory Council since 1998, (d) Board Member of the New York State Association Conservation Councils since 1998, and (e) Board Member of Town of LaGrange Association Library since 2016.

Major awards Dr. Htoo has received are: (a) Certificate of Special United States Congressional Recognition (2016), (b) Lifetime Achievement Award, President Barack Obama for Lifelong Commitment to Building a Stronger Nation Through Volunteer Service (2015), (c) Honoree for Achievements in the Field of Academia and Commitment to Improve the Community through Volunteerism and Education, State of New York Legislative Resolution (2015), (d) New York State Senate Liberty Medal (2014), the State's highest honor, which is presented to citizens who have merited special commendation for their actions on behalf of their fellow New Yorkers and their community, (e) 300mm IBM Semiconductor Award (2013) for contributions to IBM and dedication to inspire future STEM generations, (f) Margery Sachs Service Award (2007) for Lifelong Environmental Concern and Service, (g) Rotarian of the Year, Arlington Rotary Club (1990), (h ) member of New York Academy of Sciences (2007), (i) Distinguished Member, Society of Plastics Engineers (1983), (j) Fellow of the American Institute of Chemists (1985), and (k) member of IBM Academy of Technology (1990).