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1. What prompted you decide to participate in the "JSPS Science Dialogue" program?
I think it is important for a scientist to be part of the community. By introducing students to applied Science, it is my hope that we can inspire an interest in Science and hopefully recruit some of them in the future to pursue a career in Science.
2. To what did you give greatest attention in preparing and giving the lecture?
To keep the presentation of Science in an everyday language, free from advanced scientific terms. It was my objective to present Science in a ‘digestive’ sense, not to present my self as a ‘Big Scientist’.
3. Did you find it difficult to give a lecture in English to Japanese students? Could you give some advice to future lecturers on how to facilitate communication with Japanese students?
I found no difficulties in giving a lecture in English to the students, but I was supported by my host who translated any difficult passages. I recommend that method as it would be too optimistic to assume that high-school students can understand all of a sciences presentation. I, however, do not recommend that such lectures be held in the Japanese language alone, as I believe it is important to expose the students for Science in an international setting.
4. Could you give your impression with regard to participating in this program?
The program seems well coordinated and executed. I was happy to participate.
5. Was it meaningful in terms of your fellowship activities?
In the strict sense of my fellowship activities, the presentation had less direct importance. But in being a Scientist, it is very meaningful be able to interact with the society and in all levels of higher education.
6. In what ways do you think the students benefited from the program?
I hope to have inspired a thought-process in the mind of these young people, nothing more. I am sure I have achieved that.
7. Could you give some overall advice or comments to future participants in the program?
Keep it simple and remember to give examples as to why your specific science is important to the greater society. And don’t be afraid to participate, your effort will be appreciated and even a ‘less than perfect’ presentation might be just what it takes to seed a new Scientist.
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