Milan Randić
Encyclopedia
Milan Randić is a Croatian American scientist who is one of the leading experts in the field of computational chemistry
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, where his parents, originally from Kostrena (Croatian Primorje – Region in the northern Adriatic), lived at the time. Kostrena is well known by its maritime tradition, shipowners and seamen. Randic's ancestors were sailing ship owners as well as ship captains. His parents moved to Zagreb in 1941, where he continued his aducation.
After finishing Gymnasium in Zagreb, he studied Theoretical Physics at the University of Zagreb
during 1949–1953 and studied for Ph. D degree at the University of Cambridge
, England (1954–1958).
, Des Moines, Iowa. During the past 15 years he is spending three months each year at the National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia collaborating with scientists from its Laboratory for Chemometrics.
, in particular to the development and use of molecular descriptors based on the use of Graph Theory. In 1975 he introduced the Randić index in the paper Characterization of molecular branching, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 97 (1975) 6609–6615. This paper has been cited over 1600 times.
He is a corresponding member of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts
and founder of the International Academy of Mathematical Chemistry
, the seat of which is in Dubrovnik, Croatia. With year 2000 his research has been mostly shifted towards Bioinformatics, with particular emphasis on graphical representation and numerical characterization of DNA, proteins and proteome, though his fascination with Kekulé valence structures and Aromaticity remains undiminished. He is Honorary Member of The Croatian Chemical Society, The International Academy of Mathematical Chemistry
and The National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
His other interests include development of Nobel, a universal ideographic writing system
.
Computational chemistry
Computational chemistry is a branch of chemistry that uses principles of computer science to assist in solving chemical problems. It uses the results of theoretical chemistry, incorporated into efficient computer programs, to calculate the structures and properties of molecules and solids...
.
Birth and education
Randić was born in the city of BelgradeBelgrade
Belgrade is the capital and largest city of Serbia. It is located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, where the Pannonian Plain meets the Balkans. According to official results of Census 2011, the city has a population of 1,639,121. It is one of the 15 largest cities in Europe...
, where his parents, originally from Kostrena (Croatian Primorje – Region in the northern Adriatic), lived at the time. Kostrena is well known by its maritime tradition, shipowners and seamen. Randic's ancestors were sailing ship owners as well as ship captains. His parents moved to Zagreb in 1941, where he continued his aducation.
After finishing Gymnasium in Zagreb, he studied Theoretical Physics at the University of Zagreb
University of Zagreb
The University of Zagreb is the biggest Croatian university and the oldest continuously operating university in the area covering Central Europe south of Vienna and all of Southeastern Europe...
during 1949–1953 and studied for Ph. D degree at the University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
, England (1954–1958).
Academic career
From 1960 to 1970 he was at the Ruđer Bošković Institute in Zagreb, Croatia, where he founded the Theoretical Chemistry Group. During 1971–1980 he was visiting various universities in USA including The John Hopkins, MIT, Harvard, Tufts, and Cornell. With 1973 his research oriented towards application of Discrete Mathematics and Graph Theory in particular to characterization of molecules and bio-molecules. During 1980 to 2000 he was professor in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science at Drake UniversityDrake University
Drake University is a private, co-educational university located in Des Moines, Iowa, USA. The institution offers a number of undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as professional programs in law and pharmacy. Today, Drake is one of the twenty-five oldest law schools in the country....
, Des Moines, Iowa. During the past 15 years he is spending three months each year at the National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia collaborating with scientists from its Laboratory for Chemometrics.
Research and achievements
Randić has been a major contributor to the development of mathematical chemistryMathematical chemistry
Mathematical chemistry is the area of research engaged in novel applications of mathematics to chemistry; it concerns itself principally with the mathematical modeling of chemical phenomena...
, in particular to the development and use of molecular descriptors based on the use of Graph Theory. In 1975 he introduced the Randić index in the paper Characterization of molecular branching, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 97 (1975) 6609–6615. This paper has been cited over 1600 times.
He is a corresponding member of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts
Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts
The Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts is the national academy of Croatia. It was founded in 1866 as the Yugoslav Academy of Sciences and Arts , and was known by that name for most of its existence.- History :...
and founder of the International Academy of Mathematical Chemistry
International Academy of Mathematical Chemistry
The International Academy of Mathematical Chemistry was founded in Dubrovnik in 2005 by Milan Randic. The Academy Members are 88 from all over the world , comprising six scientists awarded the Nobel Prize....
, the seat of which is in Dubrovnik, Croatia. With year 2000 his research has been mostly shifted towards Bioinformatics, with particular emphasis on graphical representation and numerical characterization of DNA, proteins and proteome, though his fascination with Kekulé valence structures and Aromaticity remains undiminished. He is Honorary Member of The Croatian Chemical Society, The International Academy of Mathematical Chemistry
International Academy of Mathematical Chemistry
The International Academy of Mathematical Chemistry was founded in Dubrovnik in 2005 by Milan Randic. The Academy Members are 88 from all over the world , comprising six scientists awarded the Nobel Prize....
and The National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
His other interests include development of Nobel, a universal ideographic writing system
Writing system
A writing system is a symbolic system used to represent elements or statements expressible in language.-General properties:Writing systems are distinguished from other possible symbolic communication systems in that the reader must usually understand something of the associated spoken language to...
.