I
was a Science Teacher from National
Taiwan Normal University-NTNU (class-43) in the fields of Physics & Chemistry, and
an outsider not professional trained in the field of Environment.
In
1957, I borrowed $50 and airfare to fly to the United States looking to further
my education and opportunities. First,
at Florida State University, I became a technical assistant working for Dr.
Seymour Hess, head of meteorology and an expert on the atmosphere of Mars. I helped design very sensitive equipment
(hygrometers) to measure "water vapor" in the atmosphere of Mars in
an experiment to confirm that the white caps on Mars were ice (water) and. not
frozen carbon dioxide.--- A NASA project--for future Martian-Exploration.
Then, in 1966, I came to New York, as a research assistant
for Dr. Vincent J. Schaefer for $1.25 per hour, working for 10 hours a week, at
the newly formed Atmospheric Sciences Research Center (ASRC) at UALBANY, (Foundered
by four members of Dr. Irving Langmuir's term from GE-R/D Center ---Schaefer, Vonnegut, Blanchard & Falconer), and
stayed at ASRC for 32 years. The state university of New York recognized me in
1978 with. The SUNY Chancellor Award for Excellence in Professional Service.
A major funding project (Dr. Volker A.
Mohnen--Director of ASRC) from US-EPA with the cooperation of
Chief-Scientist-Dr.Thomas T. Shen of the NYS-DEC and scientists at RPI, allowed me to participate in a detailed
investigation of the emissions from power plants (both from oil and coal
burners), acid rain formation and their impact on our environment using the new
modern equipment from the ASRC's Laboratory for Atmospheric Particulate Analysis (Manager-Cheng). Four major reports were published, ALL, as featured cover
articles in: Journal of Air Pollution Control (1976, 1984), Analytical Chemistry (1987), EPA Report (1979) and Air Pollution
and Control--book in Chinese (1985).
Dr. Petr Chylek of (NCAR and
MIT) collaborated with my studies on power plant emissions. We examined the
radioactive properties of clouds containing submicron soot particles as
impurities. The soot particles are assumed to be distributed
randomly inside cloud drops and enhances the visible light absorption in
clouds, as well as to global pollution possibly affecting the earth's climate.
Two major reports, deals with power plant emissions and their affect to our
climate, were published in: Applied Optics, (1981) and, Journal of. Atmospheric. Sciences. (1984).
In the early years of 1970. Dr. Thomas T. SHEN (my Mentor, Teacher & Friend) drafted me
to assist him working in the committee of the
National & International Environmental Organizations--APCA(now-AWMS), CAPPS, IUAPPA......., He was a visionary & I was a go getter! Since early year of 1970, .I was member of OCEESA, and involved
many Environmental Activities between Taiwan, China, USA and International. During the year
(1975-1992) with Dr.Shen, we were the several committee member of APCA(now-AWMS)-(Power
Plant Emissions , In-Door Air Quality, Acid Rain, Science Education...........), Especially, we both were in charge (as
Chairman & Co-Chairman) of APCA-International Committee and as Session Chairman of Environment, during Annual Meetings for more than ten years. We always invited Environmental Researchers
(two/year) from Taiwan, Hon-Kong, and .......(after 1980-China) to report at APCA Annual Meetings.
After President Nixon opened the door of China-1980, I was invited as only Chinese-American in a 35 members of delegation
attending- The First US/CHINA
CONFERENCE on ENERGY, RESOURCES and ENVIRONMENT-Beijing-1982.
Again, I was only Chinese-American in a 14 members of delegation participating
at US-CHINA AIR POLLUTION TECHNOLOGY WORKSHOP- Nanjing & Beijing-1985. At the request of Director of Taiwan-EPA,
I arranged & leading a delegation to the WORKSHOP
on INDOOR AIR POLLUTION and ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ---Taipei-1989 with three TOP
US-Scientists from Harvard, MIT & US-EPA.
At the request of Chinese National Council, a delegation of OCEESA headed by Prof.Hung went to China-2001, conducting a Technical
Workshop in two provinces (Zhejiang & Jiangsu).
The members of OCEESA were:
Prof. Yung-Tse Hung---Cleveland State University---Air
& Water Pollution--Head of Delegation
Dr. Larry K. Wang----Water Pollution Treatment
Dr. Mu-Hao Sung---- NYS Dept.of Environmental
Conservation--Hazardous Waste Management.
James Huang------- NYS Dept.of Health---Radioactive Waste
Management.
Roger J. Cheng------ASRC--UALBANY---Power Plant Emission & Acid Rain Formation
We had a reception at the
Great Hall in the city of Beijing after the workshop.
My last OCESSA activity was the METES in Taipei, Taiwan—2005 after my retirement form UALBANY at year of 2000. as emeritus (research scientist).
CHENG AWARDED-- “The Outstanding Alumnus Award of the Year 2010” from National Taiwan Normal University-CLASS-43 |