Our People

Phillip Ozdemir -Director

An American inventor, and leader in the field of air pollution measurement, Phillip has made two ground-breaking scientific discoveries using a laser remote sensing system he invented. In 1992, he discovered a previously unknown class of high-emission rate sources responsible for atmospheric mercury releases in Florida, mercury releases which led to the death of several large mammals, including several Florida panthers. In 2000, Mr. Ozdemir discovered that over-fertilization in the Mississippi River drainage basin, known to be responsible for the 200 mile long so-called "dead zone" in the Gulf Of Mexico, was also responsible for creating ozone non-attainment areas in the region due to the creation of excessive amounts of nitrogen dioxide from the gaseous breakdown products of nitrate fertilizers. This link between ozone non-attainment and over-fertilization in Southeastern farmland was previously unknown. Mr. Ozdemir is a member of the Explorers' Club, the Williams College Faculty Club, the Williams Masonic Lodge, and other professional societies.