Editing Willard Libby (section)

==UCLA==
[[File:Willard Libby in Lab.jpg|thumb|Libby in the lab, c. 1960s]]
Libby resigned from the AEC in 1959, and he became professor of chemistry at University of California, Los Angeles, a position he held until his retirement in 1976. He taught honors freshman chemistry. In 1962, he became the director of the University of California statewide Institute of [[Geophysics]] and Planetary Physics (IGPP), a position he also held until 1976. His time as director encompassed the [[Apollo space program]] and the lunar landings. {{sfn|Carey|2006|pp=231–232}}<ref name="UC" />

Libby started the first Environmental Engineering program at UCLA in 1972.<ref name="UC" /> As a member of the [[California Air Resources Board]], he worked to develop and improve California's air pollution standards.{{sfn|Seaborg|1981|pp=92–95}} He established a research program to investigate [[heterogeneous catalysis]] with the idea of reducing emissions from motor vehicles through more complete fuel combustion.<ref name="UC"/> The election of [[Richard Nixon]] as president in 1968 generated speculation that Libby might be appointed as Presidential Science Advisor. There was a storm of protest from scientists who felt that Libby was too conservative, and the offer was not made.<ref name="obit"/>

Although Libby retired and became a [[professor emeritus]] in 1976,<ref name="UC"/> he remained professionally active until his death in 1980.{{sfn|Magill|1989|pp=703–712}}