Cedric L. Chernick, a former science administrator at Argonne National Laboratory and the University of Chicago, who helped launch the Searle Scholars Program for chemical, biomedical and medical research, died April 2 in Chicago. He was 77.
The Society of Research Administrators presented its first Distinguished Contributions to Research Administration Award to Chernick in 1992, recognizing him as one of the most effective science administrators in the country.
Chernick joined the staff of Argonne's Chemistry Division in 1959. There he conducted research on the gaseous compounds of the fluorides in various metals. He was part of the Argonne group that in 1962 heated xenon and fluorine to make the first binary compounds of an inert gas. This development was a staple of chemistry textbooks for many years.
Chernick became Assistant to the Director of the Argonne Chemistry Division in 1965, and Assistant to the Argonne Director in 1966. In this latter role he edited Argonne's annual budget submission to the government, and the Argonne annual report. He also acted as liaison between the University of Chicago, the Argonne Universities Association and the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission.
As an Assistant Vice President at the University of Chicago starting in 1969, Chernick administered the University's federal grants and contracts, funding from the state of Illinois and contracts with commercial sponsors. He also oversaw the University committees that monitored the appropriate use of humans as research subjects, and the committee on radiation safety.
When he left the University in 1980, Chernick was Vice President for Sponsored Programs. He and his wife Judy were also resident heads in Lower Rickert House from 1972-79.
After leaving the University, Chernick worked with the trustees of the Mr. and Mrs. John G. Searle estates to develop the Searle Scholars Program to support chemical, biomedical and medical research in accordance with the family's wishes. John Searle had been chief executive officer of G.D. Searle & Co., a research-based pharmaceutical company in Skokie, Ill.
The Searle Scholars Program annually invites 100 selected universities to each nominate up to two candidates for Searle funding consideration. To be eligible, nominees must be assistant professors in the first or second years of their appointments.
The program's rapid success gave rise to similarly modeled programs. Chernick retired in 1996, but the program continues under the administration of the Chicago Community Trust. Seventeen University of Chicago faculty members have become Searle Scholars in the early years of their appointments at the University, and four faculty members have served on the Searle Scholars Advisory Board.
Chernick was born Nov. 2, 1931 in Manchester, England. He studied chemistry at Manchester University and received a B.Sc., with honors, an M.Sc., and a Ph.D. He began his career in 1957 as a research associate in chemistry at Indiana University in Bloomington.
An avid sailor, Chernick and his crew won numerous trophies racing his 33-foot sailboat, Punch, in regattas sponsored by Area III of the Lake Michigan Sail Race Federation, the Midwest Open Racing Fleet and the Jackson Park Yacht Club (JPYC). He was an active member of JPYC since 1974, serving as commodore in 2001 and 2002.
Chernick also volunteered at the Museum of Science and Industry, working on the museum's antique car collection, for more than 10 years. He joined the board of the Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company Inc., in 1999. He produced The Mikado in 2002 and The Gondoliers in 2003, then served on the Publicity and Program Committee.
He is survived by his wife Judy; daughter Devra Chernick, Sarah ("Chip") Buerger and Debby (Thomas) Brauer; grandchildren Justin and Adam Brauer, and Zachary and Alexis Buerger; sister, Barbara (Lionel) Saltman, in England; and his former wife, Judith Walden. Services have been held.
Related link: http://www.searlescholars.net/person/524.
