February
21, 2003 Getting
Down to Basics: Chemist and Stanford Dean to Discuss Impact of
Technology on Basic Science
|
John
Brauman |
John Brauman, J. G.
Jackson-C. J. Wood Professor of Chemistry and Cognizant Dean for
the Natural Sciences at Stanford University and chair of the senior
editorial board of Science magazine, will give a talk
titled "Impacts of Technology on Basic Science” Wednesday,
February 26, at 8 pm in room 302 of the Reese Psychology and Education
Building. Earlier that day, Brauman will give a more technical
seminar titled "Hydrogen Bonding: Acidity, Basicity, and
Proton Transfer Reactions” in room 305 of Kendade Hall.
That lecture will be at 4:15 pm.
Brauman's talk, which is being cosponsored by the Theta
chapter of Phi Beta Kappa and the College's chemistry department,
will focus on the symbiotic relationship between basic scientific
research and technology. Basic scientific research contributes
significantly to improvements in technology and the quality of
life. The basic science enterprise, in turn, is also a beneficiary
of improvements in technology, according to Brauman.
The chemist will discuss some examples of the ways in which technological
advances are having important effects on the practice of current
chemical and biological science. "It is widely accepted
that advances in technology often follow from advances in basic
science research,” notes Brauman. "In that respect
we tend to think of these developments as kind of 'directional'
in terms of impact. On the other hand, it is easy to point to
the ways in which developments in technology, particularly commercialized
technology, have made it possible to do certain kinds of basic
research and have made possible the solution of important basic
science problems that would otherwise not have been possible.
This talk involves some examples of three aspects of important
chemical/biological science for which this is true. It provides
an opportunity to see what the technology is and what the scientific
consequences are. The talk is tailored so it can be followed by
nonscientists, although there is a fair amount of scientific content.”
"John Brauman has done seminal work in physical organic
chemistry,” said Sean Decatur, chair of MHC's chemistry
department. "In his work with funding agencies and with
the National Academy of Sciences, and as an editor of Science,
he has played a role in shaping the direction of United States
science and technology policy. His lecture should appeal to all
who are curious about how research in basic science can have a
signifcant impact on future directions of our society.”
The Stanford chemist's research has centered on structure and
reactivity. He has studied ionic reactions in the gas phase, including
acid-base chemistry, the mechanisms of proton transfers, nucleophilic
displacement, and addition-elimination reactions. His work includes
inferences about the shape of the potential surfaces and the dynamics
of reactions on these surfaces. He has made contributions to the
field of electron photodetachment spectroscopy of negative ions,
measurements of electron affinities, the study of dipole-supported
electronic states, and multiple photon infrared activation of
ions. He has also studied mechanisms of solution and gas phase
organic reactions, as well as organometallic reactions and the
behavior of biomimetic organometallic species.
The Stanford chemist is the recipient of awards too numerous to
mention but that include a Guggenheim fellowship, the American
Chemical Society's Award in Pure Chemistry, the American Chemical
Society's James Flack Norris Award in Physical-Organic Chemistry,
the Harrison Howe Award, and the Linus Pauling Award. Brauman
is a member of the National Academy of Sciences.
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