Thomas R. Blackburn

Cellist and geochemist Thomas R. Blackburn taught chemistry and geology in liberal arts colleges for over 30 years before joining the American Chemical Society Petroleum Research Fund (ACS-PRF)as Assistant Program Manager. He retired in 2002 as Senior Program Officer of ACS-PRF. He is the author of two books on undergraduate chemistry and of Getting Science Grants, a lively, clearly written how-to book for academic scientists who seek funding for their research. He is a member of the Council on Undergraduate Research, AAAS, The Trinity Chamber Orchestra, and the Dumbarton Chamber Players. He lives in Washington DC with his wife, the poet Kate Blackburn, and two reliable dogs.

Writing as "Tom Blackburn," he has published two novels, Surviving Mozart and Thanks to Mister Merrydown, which explore and expand on his two major loves, music and academic life. A third, Balderdash, about the loves and coming-of-age of a musician and engineer, is in the works.