September 2016 Meeting Announcement, Delaware Valley Mass Spectrometry Discussion Group
- Topic: "Creativity with a Capital "C": Laying the Framework for Making a Lasting Difference
"
- Speaker:Scott A. McLuckey, Purdue University
- Date: Monday, September 12, 2016. 6:00 PM
- Please RSVP to kevin.owens@drexel.edu by Thursday September 8.
- Time: Social Hour: 6:00 PM.
Talk: 7:00 PM.
- Place: Department of Chemistry, Villanova University (Mendel Hall 154)
- Directions:
- Abstract:
Most scientists would like to see their ideas have a significant and lasting impact at some level, be it on society, on a scientific discipline or sub-discipline, on the direction of a company, etc. In the realm of scientific research, there are, by definition, many unknowns. As a result, the selection of research directions entails unavoidable risks. However, success and failure in research is hardly random. Some scientists are consistently more successful than others. While effort is certainly a necessary factor in a successful career in research, it is hardly sufficient. The tendency for generating novelty is usually what distinguishes the most successful scientists from the rest. This ability is often a combination of both creativity and discovery. Discovery is the observation and recognition of a novel phenomenon and this often leads to a creative new idea. There is no simple algorithm for the generation of an important new idea. However, there are practices and approaches that tend to favor or disfavor creativity. Being aware of how discoveries are often made and the characteristics of people that tend to make them can guide groups to instill an environment/culture that tends to maximize discovery. This presentation describes the overall process by which new ideas become part of the culture of a discipline that is passed from one generation to the next. These are the ideas that make a lasting difference. This is followed by a description of how creativity usually works and the characteristics of people capable of having good ideas and bringing them to fruition. Understanding creative processes is also important in establishing science policy, as different scientific approaches/philosophies lead to distinct levels of risk and reward. The presentation is intended to be relevant to scientists in training, practicing scientists, and research advisors/directors.
- Bio:
Scott A. McLuckey received his B.S. degree in Chemistry in 1978 from Westminster College (New Wilmington, PA) and his Ph.D. degree in Chemistry from Purdue University (West Lafayette, IN) in 1982. After a one-year post-doctoral appointment at the FOM Institute for Atomic and Molecular Physics (Amsterdam, The Netherlands) he joined the research staff at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (Oak Ridge, TN) where he served from 1983-1999. In January, 2000 he moved to Purdue University as Professor of Chemistry and in 2008 was named John A. Leighty Distinguished Professor. The work of McLuckey and his co-workers has been recognized by the ACS Division of Analytical Chemistry Award in Chemical Instrumentation, the ACS Field and Franklin Award in Mass Spectrometry, the ASMS Biemann Medal, the ASMS Distinguished Contribution Award, the IMSF Curt Brunnée Award, and the IMSF Thomson Medal.
Please send any comments, corrections, or suggestions to
svanbram@science.widener.edu.
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