Creativity is of fundamental importance to innovation and progress in scientific research.  However, scientists often debate whether creativity is inherited or learned. Dr. Richard N. Zare, a professor in chemistry at Stanford University believes it can be learned. In his lecture entitled “Fostering Scientific Creativity” to be given on February 1st, 2010 at Academia Sinica, Dr. Zare will discuss practical techniques to develop creativity, and give tips on how to solve problems. Media and the public are welcome to attend.

Professor Zare is the Chairman of the Department of Chemistry at Stanford University and a Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Professor. He is renowned for his work in laser chemistry. He introduced laser-induced fluorescence as a method for studying reaction dynamics and understanding molecular collision processes. The work in his research group has led to significant advances in the field of nano-scale chemical analysis allowing the detection of tiny amounts of chemicals and the measurement of single molecules in room-temperature solutions. His seminal contributions have helped to provide a more coherent and clear view of the field of reaction dynamics.

Professor Zare has received numerous honors and awards. Among them are the prestigious Wolf Prize in Chemistry (2005), the Welch Award in Chemistry (2000), the National Academy of Sciences Award in Chemical Sciences (1991), and the National Medal of Science (1983). He will be awarded the Priestly Medal in March 2010. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and a foreign member of The Royal Society.

Professor Zare received his B.A. degree in chemistry and physics in 1961 and his PhD in chemical physics in 1964 from Harvard University, and has previously held faculty positions at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Colorado and Columbia University before moving to Stanford in 1977.

Event: Lecture by Prof. Richard N. Zare
Title: Fostering Scientific Creativity 
Time:10:30 – 12:00
Date:Monday, February 1st, 2010
Venue:Conference Room 1, 2F, Center for Academic Activities
Hosts: Academia Sinica and Stanford Club of Taiwan
Sponsor:Friends of Stanford University Foundation
Speaker:Dr. Richard N. Zare
Moderator:Dr. Chi-Huey Wong, President of Academia Sinica 

More Information: http://iao.sinica.edu.tw/
On-Line Registration: https://db1x.sinica.edu.tw/ASL/registerA.php?no=3