Daniel I. Arnon spent his entire career at UC Berkeley. He was a leading figure in photosynthesis research for the latter half of the 20th century. He and his coworkers discovered the processes of cyclic and noncyclic photophosphorylation and the function of isolated chloroplasts in carrying out complete photosynthesis. He elucidated the role of ferredoxin in electron transport, and identified the reverse citric acid cycle for carbon dioxide fixation.
Earlier, Arnon derived methods for measuring chlorophyll that continue to be used worldwide. He identified molybdenum as a required nutrient for plants -- research stemming from his doctoral studies with Dennis R. Hoagland. Their joint efforts provided the basic formula for a nutrient solution, Hoagland's solution, used worldwide for the hydroponic cultivation of plants.
Arnon received many honors, including the National Medal of Science and membership in the National Academy of Sciences, Swedish Academy of Sciences, Leopoldina and Spanish Biochemical Society (Honorary). He was a Guggenheim Fellow and a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. The department sponsors a graduate fellowship and annual lecture in his honor.
Biographical Memoir, National Academy of Sciences
In Memoriam, Academic Senate
