BACKGROUND
Mario Molina received a Nobel Prize in chemistry in 1995 for his work in atmospheric chemistry, particularly concerning the formation and decomposition of ozone. Along with Professor Sherry Rowland at U.C. Irvine, with whom he was a postdoctoral fellow in 1973, Dr. Molina developed the "CFC-ozone depletion theory" which revealed that the continued release of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) into the atmosphere would cause a significant depletion of the Earth's stratospheric ozone layer. He then contributed to decision-making in public and private sectors in an effort to implement controls on CFC emissions. Today, Dr. Molina is one of the world's most knowledgeable experts on pollution and the effects of chemical pollution on the environment. The Molina Center for Strategic Studies in Energy and the Environment works on tropospheric pollution issues, the problem of rapidly growing cities with severe air pollution problems. Mario was originally from Mexico and now has dual citizenship with the US.

ARTISTIC INTERPRETATION
I have placed Mario on a cloud in an atmosphere void of the pollution he has worked so hard to control, with only a weather balloon with high-tech sensors collecting data nearby. His hands express the message he is trying to get across about the effects of pollution on the environment. Another message I think is important is that it is not enough to discover the facts as a scientist but it is also necessary to inform those who can make changes in government and to educate the public.