Philip G. Jessop, PhD
BSc Chemistry (Co-op) ‘86
Professor and Canada Research Chair in Green Chemistry
Queen’s University
Technical Director, GreenCentre Canada
Kingston, ON
An academic, researcher, and innovator, Dr. Philip Jessop was instrumental in creating GreenCentre Canada, a National Centre of Excellence for the commercialization of green chemistry technology. His inventions include switchable solvents, environmentally-friendly paints, and a low-energy method for purifying wastewater. His technological findings and research have helped establish Switchable Solutions Inc. and Forward Water Technologies Inc.
After completing his PhD (UBC) and a postdoctoral appointment (Toronto), Dr. Jessop worked as a researcher in Japan with Ryoji Noyori, who received a Nobel Prize in 2001. As a professor at the University of California-Davis and currently at Queen’s University, Dr. Jessop studies green solvents and the chemistry of CO2.
In addition to his academic achievements, he serves as Chair of the Editorial Board for the journal Green Chemistry, Canada Research Chair of Green Chemistry at Queen’s University and the Technical Director of GreenCentre Canada.
His distinctions include the Eni Award for New Frontiers for Hydrocarbons, Fellowship in the Royal Society of Canada, the Canadian Green Chemistry & Engineering Award, and the NSERC Polanyi Award.