Robert F. Curl was a chemist known for his pioneering work in the field of spectroscopy. His research in this area led to the discovery of the first organic molecule, buckminsterfullerene. Synonyms for Robert F. Curl could include chemist, scientist, spectroscopist, Nobel laureate, and researcher. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1996 for his ground-breaking work in the field of chemistry. He was a Professor Emeritus at Rice University, where he spent most of his academic career. His contributions to the study of molecules and their properties have had a significant impact on the field of chemistry and continue to be studied and utilized in many applications today.