The South Carolina Section of the American Chemical Society recognizes Dr. Gamil A. Guirgis, University Professor of Sciences and Mathematics in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry of the College of Charleston, as its outstanding South Carolina Chemist of the Year for the Year 2005. Dr. Guirgis has a long and distinguished career in both the chemical industry and in academia. No career in the state bridges both areas as does his, and he has done both with great distinction.

Dr. Guirgis received in 1962 his B.Sc. Chemistry from Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt, and in 1969 his M.Sc. in Organic Chemistry from Ain-Shames University, Egypt. He immigrated to the United States that same year and began work with Bayer Corporation, first in New Jersey, and since 1970 at its Bushy Park Facility near Charleston. Starting as a Chemist he then rose through the ranks, being promoted through the following positions: Lab Supervisor, Research Chemist, Senior Research Chemist, Manager of Analytical R&D, Research Fellow and finally Senior Research Fellow - the first ever in the company- directing all the chemical and physics research activities at the Bayer Bushy Park.

During this time he completed his Ph.D in 1979 in Physical/Analytical Chemistry from the University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC. Gamil did this commuting from Charleston to Columbia while holding down his full-time industrial position and being a devoted husband and father to two children.

He became a long time collaborator partner with his Ph.D. mentor, Dr. James R. Durig, a former recipient of this same award. Gamil continued to commute to Columbia on weekends to assist in the research efforts of countless graduate students in the Durig group. In 1992 he was named a Research Professor in the College of Science and Mathematics at the University of South Carolina. Dr. Durig’s success was in no small measure accomplished with Dr. Guirgis’ assistance.

When Dr. Durig moved from USC, Gamil was appointed to a similar position at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Gamil continues to travel to UM-KC on a regular basis, going for long weekends to work on research projects.

Dr. Guirgis retired from the Bayer Corporation in 2001 and became an adjunct professor at the College of Charleston in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry. He was appointed a Research Scientist in 2002. He recently was named a University Professor in recognition of his work undergraduate students, passing on to them his incredible enthusiasm for scientific research. In the classroom he is very well-received by the students.

Dr. Guirgis is the author of over 240 referred publications. He has world-wide scientific connections and collaborations and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry. He has brought honor to himself, to this state, and to the chemistry profession.