___After being released, after innumerable hurdles, I was allowed to continue my studies, graduating as a Chemical Engineer. I was then selected to work as a researcher for the Institute of Chemical Research (ICECHIM), Bucharest, Romania's foremost institute for basic chemical research. When the Hungarian Uprising took place (1956), I took an anticommunist stand that led to my firing from this institute. To be allowed, however, to continue to lead projects which were important for the Romanian petrochemistry (in full development at that time), I was asked to work in a specially equipped lab at the Polytechnic Institute of Bucharest, being forbidden to speak to students.
___From 1956 to 1979, as a result of my accomplishments, I was consecutively given the positions of Research Engineer, Senior Research Engineer and Head of the Research and Development of the two largest chemical plants in Romania, the Chemical Combine of Craiova and the Synthetic Fibers Works of Savinesti. My work on monomers, polymers and organic and inorganic syntheses, both at a laboratory and pilot plant scale, led to a series of internal studies, publications, patents and a book that was later translated both in France (Dunod, Paris) and the U.S. (Chemical Publishing Corp., New York). My pursuit toward a doctorate, however, was sidetracked for many years, as I was a former political prisoner. Later, perhaps due to the detente caused by the Prague's Spring movement, I was finally allowed to continue my studies that led to a Doctor of Engineering degree.
___Longing for freedom, I sought refuge in Austria. As the Communist Romanian authorities were hostile to political refugees, I could not get my diploma and had to start another doctorate in Vienna. While working for it, I was called to the U.S. as a consultant by Chemical Construction Corp., New York, and then by Celanese Chemical Co. (now in association with Hoechst GmbH from Germany). After working for six months in Celanese's Technical Center in Corpus Christi, TX, I was offered a high position in research. As this would have postponed again my doctorate, I refused the offer, promising to return after receiving it. Back in Vienna, after a new thesis and exams, I obtained from its Technische Hochschule the degree of Doctor of Technical Sciences.
___Subsequently I returned to the US as a political refugee, later becoming a naturalized citizen. At that time, the US was deep into the "Oil crisis": although I was told by several petrochemical companies to reapply as soon as the crisis ended, I had to find other employment. After showing how I was preparing, while a student, both heat- and cold-cured dental acrylates (for prostheses, artificial teeth and veneers) from Plexiglas eyeglasses, I was hired as Research Scientist by Unitek Corp. in Monrovia, CA, to develop orthodontic adhesives. This resulted in the Bond-Eze Line (1973-76).
___Developing a unique process to reuse orthodontic attachments, I left Unitek for the US branch of the giant in metallurgy Alusuisse (St. Louis), and later for a company specialized in coatings, Imperial Coatings (New Orleans). Since 1976 I opened and worked for, in parallel with my employment for other companies, Ortho-Cycle Co. The company moved successively from Hollywood, CA, to St. Louis MO, New Orleans, LA, and finally to Hollywood, FL. The company performs the reconditioning of orthodontic attachments that includes their service, purchase and sale. Stainless steel items which otherwise would have been dumped, leaching heavy metals (among which are chromium and nickel) in subterranean waters, are thus successfully reused._
___ Several universities and scientific organizations have recognized my scientific work and basic research performed over decades, as expressed in various publications such as "The Orthodontic Materials Insider" as well as in many national and international congresses throughout the globe. In parallel, I taught and conferenced at several universities: in the US these were the University of Illinois, Chicago, the University of Pennsylavania, Philadelphia, New York University, as well as the Universities of Jacksonville and NOVA South Eastern, Ft. Lauderdale, both from Florida. In Romania these were the "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest (Honorary Professor), "Valahia" University, Targoviste (Honorary Professor), "Politehnica" University, Faculty of Chemical Engineering (Honorary Member of its Council).
___After some eighteen years of residence in South Florida, period while I was heavily involved in the life of the Romanian-American community, being elected President of the Romanian-American Cultural Association and publishing the newsletter "Buciumul Floridei" (Florida's Alphorn), I was named, just before the Romanian Elections of 2004, Honorary Consul of Romania in Florida.
For leading a high-tech reconditioning company to be certified nationally and internationally by FDA, ISO and CE, I was awarded by the National Republican Congressional Committee with the 2004 Ronald Reagan Gold Medal.