Richard K. Vitek, a 1958 chemistry graduate, began his career as a research chemist producing uranium from ore, before moving on to work as a scientist, director and startup CEO. His accomplishments include working with the U.S. Coast Guard to develop UV imaging instruments that analyze oil spills to identify the tankers responsible and develop a method of testing arsenic levels in wine that led the Environmental Protection Agency to impose stricter limits on pesticide use in U.S. vineyards.
Share This Story
Spark a Memory?
Share your story! Fill out the form below to share your fondest memory or anecdote of S&T. If you'd prefer not typing, you can also share by phone at 833-646-3715 (833-Miner150).
NIH’s first woman scientist
Dr. Ida Bengtson was the first woman the National Institutes of Health (NIH) hired as a scientist in 1916. For…
S&T’s first building: the Rolla Building
Missouri S&T’s first building still stands and is home to our mathematics and statistics department. Built for Rolla’s high school,…
Madison (Moore) and Scottie Thomas
Madison (Moore) and Scottie Thomas attended the same high school, and even took a French class together, but they didn’t…
Rachel (Kluesner) and Steven Jung
Rachel (Kluesner) and Steven Jung met in 2006 while working together and going to S&T. “I was in the BioSci…
Janet Kavandi on faculty support
Janet Kavandi, who earned a master’s degree in chemistry in 1982, discusses the importance of...
An out-of-this-world championship
How does a team go from worst to first in a matter of just a few years? Missouri S&T’s Mars…