Professor, Case Western Reserve University, USA, Honorary Member of Romanian Academy, and Meber of American Romanian Academy of Arts and Sciences, Gheorghe D. Mateescu, 92, of Lakewood, passed away January 22, 2021.
Gheorghe D. Mateescu, an American chemist and Emeritus Professor of Case Western Reserve University was born in Pitesti, Romania on 11 November 1928, and immigrated to the US in 1967. He married Claudia G. Sfintescu in 1990 at Holy Trinity Cathedral, Pitesti.
A Licentiate (summa cum laude) of School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, 1951 he earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU), Cleveland, 1971.
Gheorghe Mateescu was a researcher at the Military Hospital, Bucharest (1951-1964), Assistant Professor of Chemistry at the School of Medicine and Pharmacy in Bucharest, a researcher at the Nenitescu Institute of Organic Chemistry, Bucharest (1964-1967), where he coauthored many publications in the structure of organic small molecules such as the ever evasive cyclobutadiene. He performed studies on the non-classical norbornyl cation (1968-1971) together with G.A. Olah, a Nobel Prize winner. He remained on the faculty of CWRU for the rest of his life, teaching Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and advising several MS and PhD graduate students as Professor of Chemistry at Case Western Reserve University and Founder and Director of The Major Analytical Instruments Facility (MAIF), CWRU (1970-1999).
His professional interest in Analytical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Bioenergetics, Magnetic Resonance of Mitochondrial Metabolism is mirrored in both, his research and teaching projects.
The teaching interest encompass MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), MRS (Localized Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy), Fourier-transform (FT) IR and Raman Spectroscopy, UV and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (UPS and XPS or ESCA-Electron Spectroscopy for Chemical Analysis), Ion Scattering Spectrometry (ISS), Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS), Scanning Tunneling and Atomic Force Microscopy (STM and AFM).
The research interest in Magnetic Resonance includes 2H, 17O, 31P Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Localized Spectroscopy (MRS) studies of novel biomarkers of cell bioenergetics; uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation by chemical and genetic agents; the chemistry of water monomers; Vibrational Spectroscopy.
Professor Gheorghe Mateescu published a few books: 1) Infrared Spectroscopy. Applications in Organic Chemistry, English Edition, with Margareta Avram, Wiley-Interscience, New York, 1972, Reprint Edition, R.E. Krieger Publishing Company, Huntington, New York, 1978; 2) 2D NMR: Density Matrix and Product Operator Treatment, with A. Valeriu, Prentice Hall, New York, 1993; 3) Basic Principles of Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy and Imaging, in preparation
He authored over 130 publications and communications, gave numerous lectures in USA and abroad as Guest Professor at the Universities of Bruxelles (1973), Paris (1977), Basel (1977), Marseille (1982), Ljubljana (1987) and Kyushu, Japan (1995, 1997).
Gheorghe Mateescu took a special interest to promoting Magnetic Resonance both in his native Romania and in USA, founding in 1965 the first lab of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (RMN) in Romania and organizing here, with the participation of numerous top world scientists, including Nobel Laureates, the NMR/MRI and MRS International Summer Schools (1995-2014) for Romanian Radiologist Physicians and Scientists of diverse backgrounds. This constituted the seed for Romanian Magnetic Resonance Society (SRMMR) and for the ISMRM Romanian Chapter (International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine). In USA, at Case Western University, he endowed several academic awards recognizing outstanding students namely “Dumitru and Gheorghe D. Mateescu Award for Student Citizenship” Department of Chemistry, “Gheorghe and Claudia Mateescu Award for Excellence in Research” Department of Biomedical Engineering and “Nenitescu-Avram Award” Department of Chemistry.
He gained the respect of many international research groups and had a long friendship with another Nobel Laureate, Richard R. Ernst.
Professor Gheorghe Mateescu received many prestigious awards, recognitions, and distinctions from the Romanian Academy, CWRU, ISMRM and other institutions as G. Spacu Award, Romanian Academy, 1966; Interacademy Exchange Fellow, National Academy of Sciences-Romanian Academy, 1982, 1990; John S. Diekhoff Award for Distinguished Teaching, CWRU 1991; Honorary Member, Romanian Academy, 1995; George Emil Palade Award for Scientific Achievements ofRomanian Cultural Foundation, 1999; Member, ISMRM Global Development Committee, 2002-2004; Steaua României 2004 (The highest Romanian Honorary Grade instituted in 1877 by Carol I, Romanian King); Fellow of the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM), 2009, Honorary Member, Romanian Society of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, 2008; Outstanding Alumnus, Chemistry Department, CWRU, 2015, Doctor Honoris Causa of Polytechnic University, Bucharest, 1996 and of Carol Davila School of Medicine, Bucharest 1999 His merits wee often saluted by media in Romania, his country of origin, US and Canada.
He was an active member of Professional Societies, American Chemical Society (ACS), International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM), International Society of Oxygen Transport to Tissue (ISOTT), International Isotope Society (IIS), American Romanian Academy of Arts and Sciences (ARA).
Professor Gheorghe Mateescu is remembered by his students, collaborators and friends over the world, participants to the IRM workshops (1997-2014), where with his generosity and talent he formed not only a group of scientists, but a family of professionals of various background sharing the same passion, the NMR. He is remembered as a model by the passion he always talked and inspired his collaborators, students, graduate students, post-docs for science, research, progress in medicine, considering “the radiologist the promoter of the scientific progress every moment of his activity” and making them a part of his closed family.
Gheorghe is survived by his devoted wife, Claudia, his siblings Maria, sister, Constantin, brother and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by Georgeta, Smaranda, Sica, Dumitru.
Good Bye and rest in Peace in your way to the stars Professor Gheorghe Mateescu, promoter of the progress, science and friendship.
Romanian
Academician Profesor Gheorghe D. Mateescu, Professor la Case Western Reserve University, SUA, Membru de Onoare al Academiei Romane, Membru al Academiei Americano-Romane de Arte si Stiinte, s-a stins din viata la varsta de 92 de ani, in dimineata zilei de 22 ianuarie 2021, in Cleavland Ohio, in urma afectiunii de COVID -19.
Gheorghe D. Mateescu, chimist american, Profesor Emeritus la Case Western Reserve University s-a nascut la Pitesti, Romania in data de 11 Noiembrie 1928, si-a facut studiile universitare si a lucrat in Romania pana in 1967, cand a emigrat in SUA. S-a casatorit cu Claudia G. Sfintescu in 1990 la Catedrala Sfanta Treime din Pitesti.
Licentiat, Magna cum Laude al Scolii de Medicina si Farmacie din Bucuresti (1951) si-a obtinut doctoratul in Chimie la Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) in Clevland Ohio, SUA (1971).
A fost cercetator la Spitalul Militar Bucuresti (1951-1954), Asistent Universitar la Catedra de Chimie, Scoala de Medicina si Farmacie Bucuresti, Cercetator la Centrul de Chimie Organica C.D. Nenitescu (1964-1967), unde a fost co-autor la multe publicatii in domeniul structurii organice a moleculelor mici, ciclobutadiena in particular. A studiat la CWRU cationul norbornil (1968-1971) cu Prof. George Olah, laureat al premiului Nobel. A ramas aici in continuare pentru intreaga viata, cadru didactic, predand Cursuri de Rezonanta Magnetica Nucleara si conducand lucrari de masterat si doctorat ca Profesor la Case Western Reserve University, unde a fost ca Fondator si Director al MAIF, Centrul de Instrumentatie Analitica Majora (1970-1999).
Interesul sau profesional in Chimie Analitica, Chimie Fizica, Bioenergetica, Rezonanta Magnetica a Metabolismului Mitocondrial este oglindit atat in proiectele sale de cercetare cat si in cele de invatamant.
Cerctarile in Rezonanta Magnetica includ studii de noi biomarkeri pentru bioenergetica celulara, utilizand metode de Imagistica prin Rezonanta Magnetica (MRI) cu 2H, 17O, 31P si Spectroscopie Localizata (MRS); decuplarea oxidativa a fosphorilarii cu agenti chimici si genetici; chimia monomerilor de apa; Spectroscopia Vibrationala.
In domeniul invatamantului, curicula universitara include MRI (Imagistica prin Rezonanta Magnetica), MRS (Spectroscopie de Rezonanta Magnetica Localizata), Fourier-transform (FT) IR si Spectroscopie Raman, UV si X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (UPS si XPS sau ESCA-Electron Spectroscopy pentru Analiza Chimica), Ion Scattering Spectrometry (ISS), Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS), Scanning Tunneling si Atomic Force Microscopy (STM siAFM).
Profesorul Gh. Mateescu a publicat cateva carti: 1) Infrared Spectroscopy. Applications in Organic Chemistry, English Edition, cu Margareta Avram, Wiley-Interscience, New York, 1972, Reprint Edition, R.E. Krieger Publishing Company, Huntington, New York, 1978; 2) 2D NMR: Density Matrix and Product Operator Treatment, with A. Valeriu, Prentice Hall, New York, 1993; 3) Basic Principles of Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy and Imaging, in pregatire.
Gh. Mateescu este autorul a peste 130 de publicatii si comunicari, a prezentat numeroase conferinte in SUA si in afara SUA, ca Professor Invitat la Universitati in Bruxelles (1973), Paris (1977), Basel (1977), Marsilia (1982), Ljubljana (1987) si Kyushu, Japan (1995, 1997).
A acordat o atentie speciala promovarii Resonantei Magnetice atat in tara sa natala, Romania, cat si SUA, fondand in 1965 primul Laborator de Resonanta Magnetica Nucleara (RMN) din Romania si organizind aici, timp de 19 ani, cu participarea internationala a numerosi oameni de stiinta renumiti incluzand Laureati Nobel, Scoala Internationala de Vara in domeniul NMR/MRI si MRS (1995-2014) pentru specializarea în Rezonanță Magnetică a radiologilor și oamenilor de știință români din diferite domenii conexe. Aceasta a condus la crearea Societății de Rezonanță Magnetică în România (SRMMR) și a ISMRM, Romanian Chapter, sub egida ISMRM (International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine). In SUA, la CWRU, a sponzorizat financiar creearea de fonduri pentru acordarea de premii pentru studentii merituosi si anume, “Dumitru and Gheorghe D. Mateescu Award for Student Citizenship” Department of Chemistry, “Gheorghe and Claudia Mateescu Award for Excellence in Research” Department of Biomedical Engineering si “Nenitescu-Avram Award” Department of Chemistry.
De-a lungul carierei sale stiintifice a castigat un respect deosebit al multor comunitati internationale de cercetare si a legat o prietenie de durata cu Richard R. Ernst, Laureat Nobel.
De-a lungul carierei sale a primit numeroase premii si distinctii de la Academia Romana, CWRU, ISMRM si alte institutii printre care Premiul G. Spacu al Academiei Romane, 1966; Interacademy Exchange Fellow, Academia Nationala de Stiinte, SUA – Academia Romana, 1967, 1982, 1990; Premiul John S. Diekhoff pentru Distinguished Graduate Teaching, CWRU 1991; Membru de Onoare al Academiei Romane, 1995; Premiul George Emil Palade Pentru Știință, Fundația Culturală Română, 1999; Membru Consiliului de redacție, Romanian Chemical Review, București,1999; Membru al Comitetului Global de Dezvoltare al ISMRM, 2002-2004; Steaua României 2004 (Cel mai înalt ordin românesc instituit în 1877 de regele Carol I, Regele Romaniei); Fellow al Societatii Internationale de Rezonanta Magnetica in Medicina (ISMRM), 2009; Membru de Onoare al Societatii de Rezonanta Magnetica in Medicina, 2008; Outstanding Alumnus, Chemistry Department, CWRU, 2015. La toate acestea se adauga si titlurile de Doctor Honoris Causa de la Universitatea Politehnica Bucuresti, 1996 si de la Scoala de Medicina Carol Davila, Bucuresti, 1999 si multe alte distinctii. Meritele sale au fost adesea salutate in media atat in Romania cat si in USA si Canada.
Gh. Mateescu a fost un membru activ al mai multor societati profesionale, American Chemical Society (ACS), International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM), International Society of Oxygen Transport to Tissue (ISOTT), International Isotope Society (IIS), American Romanian Academy of Arts and Sciences (ARA).
Profesorul Gh. Mateescu a lasat amintiri profunde studentilor, colaboratorilor si prietenilor din lumea intreaga care au participat la workshop-urile IRM (1997-2014) din Romania, unde cu generozitatea si talentul sau a format nu numai un grup de oameni de stiinta cu preocupari diverse, ci o famile de profesionisti de diferite specialitati, animati de aceeasi pasiune pentru RMN. Vorbind intotdeauna cu pasiune despre stiinta, cercetare, despre progresul în medicina, considerand radiologul un ”promotor al progresului stiintific in fiecare moment din activitatea sa”, el va ramane un model de urmat, care a inspirat pe studentii sai in drumul lor pe calea stiintei, cercetarii si progresului in medicina, considerindu-i ca parte a familiei sale.
Gheorghe lasa in urma pe sotia sa devotata Claudia, fratii sai, Maria, sora si si Constantin, frate si multi nepoti si nepoate si a fost precedat de Georgeta, Smaranda, Sica, Dumitru.
Ramas bun si sa va odihniti in Pace in drumul Dumneavoastra catre stele domnule profesor Gheorghe Mateescu, promotor al progresului, stiintei si prieteniei