The David Sinclair Award

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The David Sinclair Award

• American Association for Aerosol Research

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David Sinclair was born in New York City in 1901,
the only child of 23-year-old writer Upton
Sinclair. Upton Sinclair published The Jungle in
1906, a novel that drew worldwide
attention. David had a most unusual childhood,
with a sporadic early education, a famous father
devoted to social causes, and family
acquaintances with many celebrities of the
time. Sinclair earned his A.B. (Physics) at the
University of Wisconsin (1924) and Ph.D.
(Physics) at Columbia University (1937). It was
at Columbia, during postdoctoral research
(1940-1944) with renowned scientist Victor K.
laMer, that he became interested in aerosol
physics.
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His early contributions while at Columbia
University as a student, instructor, and
researcher includedthe Sinclair-LaMer aerosol
generatorverification of Mie theorythe Owl
for measuring particle size in nearly-monodisperse
aerosolsHe retired in 1966, but in 1967
answered a want ad from a small government
physics laboratory in Manhattan seeking a
scientist to work on aerosol questions. This
facility became the Environmental Measurements
Laboratory. Sinclairs publications from
1967-1985 rank among some of the most noteworthy
in the aerosol science literature.
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The award memorializes David Sinclair, one of
aerosol sciences great innovators, known for his
knowledge, ingenuity and energy.
The David Sinclair Awardrecognizes sustained
excellence in aerosol research and technology by
an established scientist still active in his/her
career. The individuals research must have a
lasting impact in aerosol science.
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2004 Recipient of the David Sinclair Award
Philip K. Hopke Baynard D. Clarkson
Distinguished Professor in Chemical Engineering,
Clarkson University one of the founders of the
field of source-receptor modeling, and undisputed
leader of the field for more than 10
years President of AAAR and past Editor-in-Chief
of Aerosol Science and Technology Previous Chair
of the Air Chemistry and Physics Review Panel of
EPA