BIOLOGY

WILMINGTON, Del. -- Dr. L. John Hoffbeck, the most prolific corn breeder in the history of the world's largest seed company, and Dr. Richard Rees, who revolutionized golf with his discovery of an innovative plastic, are among the four scientists named today to receive the prestigious Lavoisier Medals of Achievement for 2003. Hoffbeck and Rees will join Dr. Rolando Pagilagan, a globally renowned polymer chemist whose efforts have broadly impacted the engineering polymers industry, and Dr. Rudolph Pariser, who will be honored for his seminal contributions in the arena of polymer chemistry. As the highest honor of science excellence awarded by DuPont, the Lavoisier Medal of Achievement is named in honor of Antoine Lavoisier -- recognized as "the father of modern chemistry" -- who served as a mentor to DuPont founder E.I. du Pont more than 200 years ago. Only 65 scientists have received the Lavoisier Medal. This year's recipients will receive their awards at a ceremony June 16 at the DuPont Theater in the Hotel du Pont. "As a premier science company, DuPont has tremendous strengths in our science and technology capabilities," said DuPont Chief Science and Technology Officer Thomas M. Connelly. "These four recipients exemplify the excellence of DuPont. Their works have impacted business growth. Their scientific achievements have enduring significance. They are outstanding science and innovation role models for those working to unleash the next wave of innovation." A summary of each 2003 Lavoisier Medal of Achievement honoree follows: Dr. John Hoffbeck is considered one of the most successful corn breeders in the history of Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. - a subsidiary of DuPont and the world's largest seed company. He has had a major impact on farmers and corn product development programs worldwide. Hoffbeck's work has led to the development of 40 commercial hybrids, which resulted in more than 36 million bags of hybrid corn sales. Hoffbeck developed corn that furthered crop stress resistance, stalk strength and yield stability. Hoffbeck was named in 1990 a research fellow, one of Pioneer's highest honors, during his 37-year career at the Pioneer research center in Windfall, Ind., before his recent retirement. Dr. Richard W. Rees discovered a unique family of tough, clear plastics sold by DuPont as DuPont(TM) Surlyn(R) ionomer resins. Ionomers are used around the world to protect food in high-strength packaging with airtight seals, and in a variety of other applications such as tough coverings for bowling pins, coated glass and decorative caps for perfume bottles. Today, most golf ball covers are made of Surlyn(R) resin. For its 35th anniversary, Golf Digest magazine named Rees one of the top 35 contributors to the sport. In addition to his pioneering work with ionomers, Rees contributed to many developments in fluoropolymers, polyimides and polyethylene. He retired from DuPont in 1993 as a research fellow. Dr. Rolando Pagilagan used fundamental chemical principles to develop and guide the DuPont Engineering Polymer strategic business unit to market- oriented opportunities that have helped the business grow. His breadth of developmental contributions span from polymerization and catalysis to toughening of polymeric resins to flame retardation. He conducts research at the Washington Works site in Parkersburg, W.Va. Dr. Rudolph Pariser made seminal contributions in the area of polymer chemistry and enhanced the understanding of colors and dyes. He played a major role in the development of DuPont(TM) Hytrel(R), Vamac(R), Kalrez(R) and Viton(R) elastomers. One of Pariser's major scientific accomplishments was clarifying with collaborators the connection between structure and spectra of pi-systems, relationships that were critical to DuPont businesses. The work remains a landmark in the understanding of conjugated molecules. Pariser retired from DuPont in 1988.