Cyril Ponnamperuma

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Cyril Ponnamperuma (1923–1994) was a scientist in the field of chemical evolution. Ponnamperuma was an associate of Russian physical chemist Georgi Gladyshev; together they exchanged ideas on planetary evolution.

[edit] Biography

Professor Cyril Ponnamperuma was born in Galle, Sri Lanka on 16th October 1923. After completing his early education with flying colours at St. Aloysius' College, Galle and subsequently at St. Joseph's College, Colombo, Ponnnamperuma proceeded to India and in 1948 obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy from the University of Madras.

Later he moved to United Kingdom and registered with Birkbeck, University of London, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry in 1959.

In 1962, he was honoured with a National Academy of Science resident associateship tenable with NASA at Ames Research Center. In 1963 he had the opportunity to join NASA's Exobiology Division and take over the helm of the Chemical Evolution Division. He was selected as a principal investigator for analysis of lunar soil in Project Apollo.

Thereafter, he was closely involved with NASA in the Viking and Voyager programmes and was offered membership in both the Space Science Advisory Council and Life Sciences Advisory Council of NASA.