Scientists as Social Beings

Dear Chemistry Colleagues,

 

Let’s face it scientists, our public image isn’t always great.  The media often portrays us as mad scientists, on the fringe of society, and more than a little bit socially awkward. Take, for example, The Big Bang Theory, which I secretly love.  Truth be told, however, science is a social enterprise.  I was first exposed to this by Professor Tahdg Begley at Cornell, when interviewing for graduate school, back in 1987.  He invited me to one of his group meetings. I’ll never forget how he complimented his postdoc on conducting a particularly difficult experiment with an oxygen electrode, and how Tahdg included me like one of his own group members.  Tahdg was smiling and laughing, and he was intense all at the same time. Even though I didn’t end up working with him or even going to Cornell, his enthusiasm was infectious. He showed me, for the first time, that scientists could take great joy in their work and that they could show empathy.

I ended up working with Professor Doug Turner at the University of Rochester, who was like Tahdg in many ways.  He took great pleasure in regaling us with stories and in making us smile. What he was doing, which I was too young and too naive to realize at the time, was showing us his love and inspiring us to work.  He also taught me the importance of human interactions. Doug introduced me to many scientists in the field. He helped me overcome my shy nature to establish relationships with both young and senior scientists in the field, many of whom I know to this day.  One memory is Doug bringing a few of us to lunch with the late Harvard Professor Jeremy Knowles. Jeremy was brilliant, impeccably dressed, and had a charming British accent; in other words, he scared the hell out of me. But Jeremy was a lovely man; he immediately disarmed me and put me at ease. This taught me the importance of being approachable and paying it forward.

I would postdoc for Tom Cech, who had a powerful, but altogether different, personality.  When I was around Tom I felt like he was listening to me 100 times better than I could ever listen to another person.  What impressed me most about Tom was that he was equally at ease with politicians, scientists, and little children. And he loved to talk.  There wasn’t much e-mail going on in those days, just loads of conversation. He taught me that it was okay, indeed necessary, to engage everyone in your life.

I’m thinking about important people in my life right now because, like you, I’m house-bound.  My days are split between writing papers, answering emails, and talking to my group. When I see them up on my computer screen, arranged like the Brady Bunch, something primal makes me want to be there with them.  (Not all the time mind you, but a lot of the time!)  Scientists are social beings. Our creativity peaks when we bounce ideas off each other.  These days will pass. We will again be having ice cream socials, fall receptions, and seminars.  Until I can greet you in person, with a smile and a handshake, take care of yourselves and of each other. 

With Warm Wishes,

Phil