(b. 1943) A.B. 1964, Ph.D. 1968, Harvard University; Assistant-Full Professor, Louisiana State University, 1968-1980; Alfred P. Sloan Fellow, 1975-1977; Camille and Henry Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar, 1972-1977; LSU Distinguished Research Master, 1978; Professor, University of Pittsburgh, 1980-1985; Alexander von Humboldt Senior U.S. Scientist Award, 1982; Akron Section, American Chemical Society Award, 1983; Arthur C. Cope Scholar Award, 1988; Director, Chemistry Division, National Science Foundation, 1988-1990; James Flack Norris Award in Physical Organic Chemistry, 1991; Schroedinger Medal, World Association of Theoretically Oriented Chemists, 1998; Tolman Medal, Southern California Section, American Chemical Society, 1999; Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, 2002; Director, UCLA Chemistry-Biology Interface Training Program, 2002-present; American Chemical Society Award for Computers in Chemical and Pharmaceutical Research, 2003; International Academy of Quantum Molecular Science, 2003; Chair, AAAS Chemistry Section, 2005.

Professor Houk's research is supported by grants from the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, and the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency.