Also in this week's C&EN, some anecdotes from chemistry's past in the letters to the editors:
Dr. Breslow literally changed my life. I worked in his laboratory in 1964–65 as a “prep boy,” running syntheses for the graduate students and postdocs. I probably made more methylcyclopropenone than [any] other person on the planet, before or since. Even though I was the lowest of the low, Dr. Breslow included me in all the activities of his group. His group meetings were amazing. I learned more in them than I learned in most classes. Dr. Breslow also arranged for me to take classes at Columbia University. I had had three years at another college, but the classes at Columbia were on an entirely different level. One of the classes I took was biochemistry, taught by Dr. Breslow, in which I earned an A+. The entire experience transformed me from a C student to an A student. I later went on to earn my Ph.D. in chemistry, which I probably would not have done were it not for my time with Dr. Breslow. I can’t express enough my gratitude to and affection for this wonderful, caring human being.
Franklin P. Mason
I took advanced organic synthesis with Gilbert in 1965. What impressed me the most is that he’d come into class sans notes, pick up a piece of chalk, put his hand to his forehead, and say “OK,” and proceed to give a perfectly presented one-hour lecture. Of course there were mechanisms for every reaction, etc., but the smoothness of it all always stuck with me. RIP Gilbert.
Philip WarnerGood stuff - "prep boy" is an interesting one.
Thanks for posting this. I'm a low level guy (not a faculty member) with a PhD but manages several undergraduates. I want them to have a good experience, and this is a reminder of the influence I may have---keep it up beat, and keep any bitterness about how academia works and poor job prospects to myself (!)
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, with a caveat about job prospects. I feel responsible for accurately informing trainees of their prospects. Yes, I need to do that without bitterness, but I do need to inform them.
DeleteI worked for neither Breslow nor Stork but went to Columbia. Always enjoyed their hallway and elevator anecdotes. Their comments at departmental seminars and organic problem solving sessions were always informative. I definitely feel like I learned a lot from both, despite not being in their groups or taking any classes with them. I think simply witnessing their attitude towards science and research is a blessing, which in turn affects ones own outlook.
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