He introduced the study of general microbiology to the United States and made key discoveries explaining the chemistry of photosynthesis.

[1] In 1923, Cornelis van Niel graduated in chemical engineering at Delft University and became an assistant to Albert Kluyver, who had initiated the field of comparative biochemistry.

In 1928 he wrote his PhD dissertation ('The Propionic Acid Bacteria') after which he left for the United States to continue his work at the Hopkins Marine Station of Stanford University.

[3] Shortly after his arrival at Hopkins Marine Station, van Niel developed a course in general microbiology which was to become widely influential.

"[7] Additional awards include: van Niel was elected to the United States National Academy of Sciences in 1945 and the American Philosophical Society in 1948.