Willem Rudolfs
Willem Rudolfs | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | February 13, 1886 |
| Died | February 20, 1959 (aged 73) |
| Nationality | Kingdom of the Netherlands |
| Citizenship | United States, Netherlands |
| Alma mater | University of Illinois System Pasteur-instituut Rutgers University |
| Scientific career | |
| Institutions | New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, Rutgers University |
| Thesis | Experimental studies on sulfur oxidation by micro-organisms (1921) |
Willem Rudolfs (February 13, 1886 – February 20, 1959) was a Dutch-born biochemist in entomology and pioneer in the field of sanitary sciences.
Rudolfs was born in Wageningen, the Netherlands, and moved to the United States. In 1921, he earned his PhD at Rutgers College.[1]
From 1921 to 1925 Rudolfs was a teacher at the Department of Entomology of Rutgers University.[2] In this period, his research as a biochemist in entomology was focussed on mosquitos: repelling them from human skin, attracting them so they can be counted, behaviour in different weather conditions.[3][4]
In his thirty years at the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station of Rutgers, Rudolfs became a world leading expert on sanitary sciences.[5] He was a highly involved member of the Federation of Sewage Works Association.[6] Nowadays this is the worldwide operating Water Environment Federation, which honours exceptional publications with the Rudolfs Industrial Waste Management Medal.[7][8]
In 1952, Rudolfs retired and moved back to the Netherlands.[9] He held several lectures that inspired the Dutch industry to take on industrial waste water treatment collectively.[10][11][12]
Rudolfs Industrial Waste Management Medal
[edit]The Rudolfs Industrial Waste Management Medal is an award established in 1949 by the Water Environment Federation (WEF) in honor of Willem Rudolfs, a notable figure in environmental engineering. The medal is awarded to scientists who have made an extraordinary contribution to industrial wastewater management through a significant scientific publication.
The aim of the award is to recognize and promote advancements in the treatment and management of industrial wastewater, thereby contributing to public health and environmental sustainability.[13][14]
Background The Water Environment Federation (WEF) is a global non-profit organization dedicated to water quality and water management. As of 2019, WEF had 33,000 individual members and 75 affiliated member associations worldwide. The federation provides education and training for water professionals to help improve public health and protect the environment.
Significance The Rudolfs Medal highlights the importance of scientific innovation in wastewater management, especially in industrial contexts where pollution and resource recovery are pressing challenges. By acknowledging impactful research, the award encourages ongoing development in environmental science and sustainable industry practices.
References
[edit]- ^ Willem Rudolfs (1921). "Experimental studies on sulfur oxidation by micro-organisms". Rutgers College Theses and Dissertations. doi:10.7282/T3VQ34FQ – via Rutgers University Libraries. Subject: Agriculture, Soil microbiology, Sulfur in agriculture, Soils--Analysis. 217 pages.
- ^ "Teaching and Extension, Staff (1888-1954)". Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Department of Entymology. Retrieved 2025-04-15.
- ^ "To defy mosquito by means of salve; Chemist Working on a Preparation to Apply to Skin Which Will Repel the Pest". The New York Times. 1924-02-15. Retrieved 2025-04-12.
- ^ "Research, the Department of Entomology (1912–1954)". Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Department of Entomology. Retrieved 2025-04-15.
- ^ Read, W.T. (1953). "Industrial Wastes: Their Disposal and Treatment. Willem Rudolfs, Ed. New York: Reinhold, 1953. 497 pp". Science. Vol. 118, no. 3067. pp. 422–423. doi:10.1126/science.118.3067.422.c.
- ^ "Survey of Sewage Research Projects-1943" (PDF). Sewage Works Journal. May 1943 – via Digital Library of the Silesian University of Technology. pp 44/204.
- ^ "Rudolfs Industrial Waste Management Medal". Water Environment Federation (www.wef.org).
- ^ "Published Papers, Rudolfs Industrial Waste Management Medal" (PDF). WEF.org. 2015. List of winners 1950-2015.
- ^ "Sewer authority leaving Rutgers; Dr. Willem Rudolfs retiring after 30 years -- Plans to return to native Holland". The New York Times. 1952-10-26.
- ^ Summary "Industrie en vuilwaterbestrijding in U.S.A." Waterschapsbelangen (in Dutch). 1953-07-15 – via Delpher.nl. pp 99-101.
- ^ "Nieuw laboratorium voor Vereniging Krachtwerktuigen". Algemeen Handelsblad (in Dutch). 1961-06-13 – via Delpher.
- ^ "Laboratorium voor de Vereniging van Krachtwerktuigen". Water, Bodem, Lucht (in Dutch). 1960 – via Delpher. pp 67-74, citation p 73.
- ^ "Rudolfs Industrial Waste Management Medal". Water Environment Federation (www.wef.org).
- ^ "Published Papers, Rudolfs Industrial Waste Management Medal" (PDF). WEF.org. 2015. Lijst winnaars 1950-2015.