Dr. F. Sherwood Rowland, the winner of the 1995 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, is one of six distinguished professionals appointed Thursday by the California Air Resources Board to a panel that reviews scientific research on air pollution.

        "The wealth of talented individuals who will be serving on the Board's Research Screening Committee reflects California's global leadership in environmental science and technology," ARB Chairman John D. Dunlap said.

        "I am gratified both by Dr. Rowland's interest in this committee and by the broad range of backgrounds and accomplishments of all the panel members. They will help ensure that regulatory decisions affecting human health and the environment are based on the very best science," Dunlap said.

        The six appointees will join two continuing members of the Research Screening Committee. The Air Resources Board is scheduled to appoint a ninth member in March. The committee normally meets six times per year, and members receive $100 for each day that the committee meets.

        The committee reviews all proposed research projects to be conducted for the Board by state scientists and outside organizations. The committee evaluates the technical nature of the research and also reviews the work after it is completed. Newly appointed members of the committee are:

• Dr. F. Sherwood Rowland, Professor of Chemistry and Bren Chair, University of California, Irvine. Dr. Rowland is an expert in atmospheric chemistry. He won the 1995 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his work on stratospheric ozone depletion.
• Dr. Anthony F. Fucaloro, Vice President & Dean of Faculty, Professor of Chemistry, Claremont McKenna College. Dr. Fucaloro is an expert in the field of spectroscopy.
• Dr. S. Kent Hoekman, Chevron Research & Technology. Dr. Hoekman is an expert in the fields of atmospheric chemistry and vehicle emissions.
• Dr. James Ortner, Manager, Government Relations and Air Quality Program, Orange County Transportation Authority. Dr. Ortner is an expert in transportation and air quality policy.
• Timothy M. Taylor, a partner with De Cuir & Somach and a Visiting Professor at the School of Law, University of California, Davis. Mr. Taylor is an expert in environmental law and urban planning, and is Chair Emeritus of the Environmental Law Section of the State Bar of California.
• Dr. James C. Higdon, Associate Professor of Physics, Claremont McKenna College. Dr. Higdon is an expert in planetary and space physics.

        The two continuing members of the committee are:

• Dr. Harold Cota, Professor of Environmental Engineering, California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo. Dr. Cota is a specialist in atmospheric measurements.
• Melvin Zeldin, Meteorologist, South Coast Air Quality Management District. Mr. Zelden is an expert in the control of atmospheric particulate matter.

        The Air Resources Board is responsible for the control of motor vehicle air pollution and oversees all local control of industrial sources.