The American Physical Society has awarded two ISU professors for their research in the field of chemistry.Last month, the APS named Mark Gordon, distinguished professor of chemistry and director of applied mathematics and computational sciences at Ames Laboratory, a Fellow while Klaus Schmidt-Rohr, associate professor of chemistry, received the 2001 John H. Dillon medal for outstanding research accomplishments.The APS is the second largest society of physicists in the United States, Gordon said.”I would say that 20 people or so receive the award I’m receiving,” he said. “That probably figures out to one-tenth of one percent of the society, so it is a great honor to be given this award.”He said his work is a combination of chemistry, physics and computer science, and the work in those areas has led to the development of new methods and models that aid in the study of chemical reactions.”I am what would be called a quantum chemist, and what I basically do is write computer programs that allow us to study a variety of chemicals and how they react to their environment,” Gordon said.Schmidt-Rohr received his medal for his work in the area of polymer research, which he said is the study of plastics on a molecular level.”We use nuclear magnetic resonance, which allows us to look inside complex materials, to find out what the polymer molecules look like, how they are oriented and how they move,” he said.Schmidt-Rohr said his work with NMR has allowed him to learn more about the fundamental structure of organic materials, while providing many possibilities for new experiments.Both professors said they came to Iowa State after working in other places and venues and said they have enjoyed their experience in Ames.”Iowa State has a very active chemistry department, and I work with a really great group of colleagues,” Schmidt-Rohr said.Gordon said he has been working in Ames for nine years, and also said Iowa State is an excellent place to work.”Iowa has a much more active approach toward education, and that makes it a great place to live and teach,” he said.