Title: Director of Research in Chemistry (Retired)
Company: J.T. Baker Inc.
Location: Lexington, Virginia, United States
Paul André Bouis, PhD, retired director of research in chemistry at J.T. Baker Inc., has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Scientists for dedication, achievements, and leadership in research and development and analytical chemistry.
Celebrated for more than 30 years of contributions in his field, Dr. Bouis began fostering his interest in chemistry at a young age. Born in France, he immigrated to the United States with his family at just 6 years old. Dr. Bouis’ father and extended family in France were perfumers, farming flowers to extract oils and create perfumes and colognes from them. Although he chose not to follow in his father’s footsteps exactly, Dr. Bouis recognized the science that went into the creation of perfumes. Starting from that point, he decided to pursue a more technical approach to chemistry.
Dr. Bouis’ career started in 1973 as the director of process and analytical services for Rhône-Poulenc, a major French chemical and pharmaceutical company. During his time with Rhône-Poulenc, he showcased his expertise in rare earths, as the company had constructed a rare earths purification facility in Texas. Dr. Bouis was able to share his insights into this facility’s technologies and its applications around the world, demonstrating how they could be useful across multiple industries. Prior to beginning his professional life, he was commissioned as an infantry officer and served for one year in Vietnam.
In 1986, Dr. Bouis joined Procter & Gamble as the assistant director of research and development for J.T. Baker, a chemical and pharmaceutical company that had been sold to Procter & Gamble just the year before. He served in this role for 10 years until J.T. Baker was acquired by Mallinckrodt in 1995. At that point, Dr. Bouis became the director of research and development for the organization. Across 20 years associated with J.T. Baker, he was renowned for several noteworthy achievements in the realm of analytical chemistry research. Among the most notable, Dr. Bouis developed a means of analyzing hair follicles to determine drug use, a test that is still used by the U.S. military to this day. He also built a strong reputation in bioseperation, successfully creating processes to purify substances like insulin and opioids.
Though he retired in 2005, Dr. Bouis has remained committed to his field and the progress he has made within it. He dedicated his time to the American Chemical Society as the co-chair of the reagent chemicals committee from 1987 until 2022. Additionally, Dr. Bouis has offered guidance as a volunteer academic adviser at the Virginia Military Institute since 2012. He takes great pride in his contributions to writing and editing on three chemistry books.
Prior to embarking upon his professional journey, Dr. Bouis set himself up for future success through a strong education. He obtained a Bachelor of Science in chemistry from the Virginia Military Institute in 1967. Subsequently, Dr. Bouis earned a PhD in physical organic chemistry from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, in 1973. Further acknowledging his mastery in the field, he has been named a Fellow of the American Chemical Society.
Outside of the esteemed legacy he has left in his field, Dr. Bouis is a loving husband, father to two and grandfather to 14. In his retirement, he enjoys sports photography and playing sports. Though he has stepped back from his career, Dr. Bouis looks forward to continued mentorship to students and young professionals in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). He also plans to devote more time to his blossoming passion for sports photography.
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