Howard P. Isermann

Introduction

Howard Isermann was a chemical engineering major and graduated with the class of 1942 from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. After which he joined Van Dyk & Co.

Career and Research

During his tenure at Van Dyke & Co, he developed the ultraviolet absorber that has been the most effective and leading sunscreen worldwide. This led to not only the prevention of sunburn but also has contributed to significant progress in skin cancer prevention.

His research continued further as he became active in fragrance research organizations; he founded Novarome Inc. in 1980, a manufacturer of fragrance compounds used in soaps and perfumes.

RPI and Isermann

One of RPI's Department of Engineering is named after him as The Howard P. Isermann Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering which prepares students to enter their engineering practice dealing with chemical as well as physical processes to meet the challenges of the future.