Professor emeritus Torbjörn Norin

Professor Emeritus Torbjörn Norin, of Bromma, Stockholm has died at the age of 86. The closest relatives are his wife Ingegerd, their children Martin, Elisabeth and their families. A daughter Magdalena died in 2009.

Torbjörn was born in Örnsköldsvik. He studied for a master's degree at KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, where he also became a doctor of technology and associate professor in 1964, after which he continued his studies at the University of Oxford. He was appointed professor of organic chemistry and wood chemistry at KTH in 1969.

Torbjörn's research revolved around natural products. Early in his career he devoted himself to the study of chemical compounds isolated from conifers. Eventually, his interests widened. He was one of the initiators of a collaborative project between several Swedish institutions concerning insect pheromones, whose use in decoy traps is of crucial importance to the forest industry.

Another area that Torbjörn became interested in, and where he and his collaborating colleagues were pioneers, was the use of enzymes in organic synthesis.

Torbjörn created a stimulating environment at the department. His great interest and enthusiasm for research contributed to this and, not least, that he continued his predecessor Holger Erdtman's tradition of ensuring that many foreign students and researchers were invited to the department.