KAVLI NEWSLETTER No.09 Kavli Institute of Nanoscience Delft March 2014 IN THIS ISSUE: How we became a Kavli Institute • 10 years of Kavli Delft • Kavli Colloquium Hongkun Park Introduction new faculty: Marileen Dogterom and Greg Bokinsky FROM THE DIRECTOR Philanthropist Fred A full newsletter again this month! First, our frontpage news that our benefactor Fred Kavli passed away. Kavli passed away I very well remember when I met him for the fi rst time, in 2003: Fred was a soft spoken and kind man, with a strong determination to use his busi- ness-generated fortune to advance science for the benefi t of humanity by supporting scientists and their work. Throughout the years I inter- acted with him a number of times, where this fi rst impression was re- confi rmed time and again. Now he has passed away. We will miss him, and continue the nanoscien- ce at Delft that he has supported so generously. Also, this month, we celebrate our 10-year birthday as a Kavli Insti- tute. For this occasion, Hans Mooij recalls the history of the start of our institute - a very interesting story in- deed, read it on page 6-7. Finally, this newsletter features our Kavli Colloquium speaker Hongkun Park, introductory self-interviews by Marileen Dogterom and Greg On 21 November 2013, the Kavli Foundation announced that its Bokinsky, wonderful columns, and more. founder Fred Kavli has passed away peacefully in his home in Santa Enjoy! Barbara at the age of 86. As philanthropist, physicist, entrepreneur, • Cees Dekker business leader and innovator, Fred Kavli established The Kavli Foun- dation to advance science for the benefi t of humanity. He visited Delft when our Institute was initiated in 2004, and we kept in close contact since then. We will miss him and continue the nanoscience that he loved so much. Finances of the Kavli Institute of NanoScience Delft will not be affected by the passing away of Fred Kavli. Kavli Newsletter No.09 - March 2014 | 1 INTERVIEW Interview with COLUMN Management meeting Hongkun Park What was the dream of your childhood? March 2064 As far as I remember, my childhood dream was always to become a “scientist.” I do not believe, however, that I knew exactly what I meant ‘So,’ the hawk-like woman said. ‘What exactly by “scientist”: for instance, at one point, I wanted to become a scien- are we going to tell the board about the budget tist who would build a cool looking rocket and explore Mars. I never deficit?’ She looked around the table. thought that being a scientist would involve countless hours spent in ‘We overspent more than 20 million,’ the director the basement filling up a cryostat with liquid helium and looking at a continued. ‘The renovation of the crèche, the computer screen. My fascination with “becoming a scientist” neverthe- generous start-ups for Flowerstein and de Braaf, less provided a major motivation for reading widely about science and the increasing salary costs... They are bound to studying hard. ask critical questions next week.’ She peered over her horn-rimmed glasses. Was it a difficult or obvious choice for you to study chemistry at the A short woman who was sitting at the centre of university? the table was the first to speak. ‘I still think it is I grew up in South Korea and got my bachelor’s degree at Seoul National a shame that we only raised the salaries of our University (SNU). At the time I was applying for the university, I also had female faculty members,’ she said. to choose which department to join. Up until three days before submit- The director looked at her. ‘It was a tough ting the application, I was sure that I would apply for the physics de- decision,’ she said. ‘But we had no choice. partment at SNU. But my uncle, who is currently a renowned professor Given that we already overspent…’ at Purdue University specializing on drug delivery and who was then ‘It’s not good for the reputation of our institute,’ studying polymer science at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, con- the short woman persisted. ‘It may be seen as vinced me that “chemistry” (and more exactly polymer science) is the over-positive discrimination.’ future and that there would be many more opportunities for a chemist. ‘Rubbish,’ a brisk-looking woman said. ‘We Although I did try to resist at first, I eventually decided to follow his hired the top two female physicists on the market, advice and enroll in the chemistry department. The funny thing is that which has brought our faculty female:male ratio even as a chemistry student, I took almost every course offered by the to 3:1. Our daycare and the adjacent boarding physics department besides those offered in the chemistry department (I school are a huge success, and...’ took ~40 upper level undergraduate/graduate courses in science as an ‘Didn’t Helena Flowerstein join us because of undergraduate. I was, without doubt, an absolute nerd!). that school?’ a mousy woman interrupted. Looking back, I do believe that enrolling in the chemistry department at The director nodded. ‘We did not overspend,’ SNU was an absolute blessing that shaped my scientific path/course in the brisk woman continued. ‘We merely consoli- many important ways. dated our advanced gender position. The board of the Foundation must sympathize with that. How would you describe a scientist? What core qualities he/she should Our institute is an example for the other 42.’A have in order to perform outstanding research? murmur of agreement sounded around the room. On the second question, I would repeat what my graduate mentor told ‘Thank you,’ the director said. ‘I’ll take that me: LOVE. You should love what you do if you want to excel. Yes, this along. Any other remarks?’ She glanced around. answer sounds cliché, but it is so true. On the first question, I would ‘If not, let’s move to the next item on the agenda.’ say that a scientist is someone who is curious about how the natural She looked at the screen in front of her. world around us/him works and who strives to answer that question ‘The faculty search committee. Who is going to in a structured, careful, and well-thought-out fashion. Sometimes, you report?’ The short woman in the middle cleared are smart enough and lucky enough to solve a truly groundbreaking her throat. ‘We received an interesting applica- problem. But more often than not, it will be grudgingly hard work to tion from W. Daring,’ she said. ‘PhD Harvard, solve seemingly small problems. You should have resolve and persever- postdoc Munich, currently faculty at…’ ance to see your work through to have a chance to impact. ‘Where is she from?’ the mousy woman asked. The short woman hesitated almost imperceptibly. Are there any common mistakes young researchers should avoid? ‘He is British’ she said. I believe that one thing that is important is not to fall into the trap of fol- For a moment the room was completely silent. lowing the road that other people have travelled. Yes, it’s much easier ‘He does have rather a lot of publications in and comfortable to do so. But often, it’s much more rewarding and Nature and Science,’ she quickly added. ‘And fun to follow your heart and discover a new track that has not been an H-index of 33.’ travelled before. ‘Has he published with female scientists?’ the director asked matter-of-factly. ‘How about his As a final question, could you give any advice for young scientists who FC-index?’ just started their pathway in the field? In the back the brisk woman pressed her neigh- To repeat myself, I believe that a young scientist should choose the bour’s arm. ‘It is a really useful criterion, isn’t it?’ subject matter that he/she loves most and strive his/her very best to she whispered. ‘The Female Co-authorship-index excel at it. You should be ambitious and “shoot for the stars”, because we introduced? The number of female co-authors otherwise you won’t realize your full potential, but at the same time, divided by the total number of co-authors?’ you should be firmly grounded and realize that not everyone has to Her neighbour nodded in agreement. neither be, nor will be, the Einsteins of this world. Sometimes, I give ‘0.5,’ the short woman replied. ‘Which, I guess, my students a lighthearted joke: if the world were filled with profes- is not too bad.’ ‘But certainly not outstanding,’ sors at top-flight universities, it would be hell. Don’t get me wrong, as the brisk woman loudly remarked. a professor in a major research university, I love my job, and I love A few women shifted in their chairs. Nobody what I do everyday: after all, I get to work on the spoke. The director looked around the room. problems that I love and get to interact with ‘Since his credentials on this point are not clear,’ bright students every day. But at the same she slowly said. ‘I propose we do not invite him.’ time, I firmly believe that it’s not the only She addressed the institute secretary. ‘Let thing that’s fruitful. There are many dif- him know something like…’ she paused for a ferent ways that a young scientist can moment. ‘Although we think that the scientific contribute to society and fulfill his/her aspects of his research are excellent, we unfortu- dreams. nately feel that the cultural side of it is not quite up to our standards.’ • Anastasia Holovchenko • Miriam Blaauboer 2 2 | | Kavli Kavli Newsletter Newsletter No.07 No.09 - - June March 2013 2014 KAVLI COLLOQUIUM APRIL INTERVIEW KAVLI COLLOQUIUM ‘A Nanoscientist’s Journey to Biology’ Hongkun Park Harvard University April 3, 2014 will feature a Kavli colloquium by Hongkun Park.