It is with profound sadness that we must inform you that Professor Jean-Pierre Pascault, member of the Editorial Board of JAST, passed away on 4 April 2020. Professor Pascault was a great scientist, who specialized in polyurethane and epoxy adhesives, a good friend and a great person. His revisions of submitted manuscripts to JAST were always excellent and very helpful for the authors. We can say without hesitation that Professor Pascault has made a key contribution to the increasing standard of published papers in JAST.
Professor Jean-Pierre Pascault was appointed in 2005 as Professor Emeritus at the National Institute of Applied Sciences (INSA) of Lyon (France). He gained a chemical engineering diploma in 1965 and a doctorate in sciences in the field of anionic polymerization. In 1966, he joined INSA Lyon and subsequently became full professor in 1989. From 2001 to 2004, Professor Pascault was President of the French Polymer Society affiliated to the French Chemical Society. He was elected to the National Committee for Scientific Research in France for two terms (1980–1986 and 1990–1994) and to the National Council of Universities from 2000 to 2003.
Professor Pascault contributed outstandingly to the development of polymer science in France and to the international recognition of INSA all around the world. In particular, since 1986, his collaboration with Professor Roberto J. J. Williams of INTEMA of Mar del Plata (Argentina) was exceptional and productive; it was rightfully recognized in 2013 through the Dr. Luis Federico Leloir Award given by the Argentina Ministry of Research. Professor Pascault’s fundamental works have never been guided by the search for knowledge that has not been justified by real advances in applications, particularly those that can be transposed to an industrial environment. While having published more than 350 papers, two reference books and nearly 300 communications, he is also the author of 50 patents.
There is no doubt that Professor Jean-Pierre Pascault has left a deep hole in the field of polymers but has also had a profound impact on all scientists and colleagues who have had the privilege of working with him!