University of Houston honors Catalan biochemist who expanded our understanding of origins of life
2023 marks centenary of birth of Joan Oró, who worked with NASA and set up foundations in Catalonia
The University of Houston has honored the Catalan biochemist who expanded our understanding of the origins of life, Joan Oró, with the attendance of many American scientists, coworkers of Oró, as well as the representative of the Catalan government in the United States, Andrea Forcada.
The event was organized by the biology and biochemistry departments of the University of Houston, both founded by Joan Oró, who made his discoveries about the origins of life there.
His research had a very important impact worldwide and inspired future generations of scientists.
During the event, among others, emeritus professor Joe Eichberg and researcher George Fox addressed the room, both had been working at the university in Texas with Joan Oró.
To pay tribute, organizers played an interview of Joan Oró explaining his work at the US space agency NASA, directed by scientific journalist David Warmflash.
The celebration is part of the activities in Catalonia and abroad to mark the centenary of the birth of Oró.
On December 14, the Catalan government delegation in the US will organize an event in their Washington DC offices.
Filling the Sink podcast episode
October 2023 marks what would have been Catalan biochemist Joan Oró’s 100th birthday. His ground-breaking research on the origin of life granted him fame in the 1950s, leading to important collaborations with NASA on the possibility of life on other planets.
Listen to our Filling the Sink podcast episode published on October 22, 2023 on Joan Oró.