Using Chemistry as a Bridge to Peace in the Middle East
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| Using Chemistry as a Bridge to Peace in the Middle East |
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| Speaker: | Zafra M. Lerman |
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Distinguished Professor of Science and Public Policy, and Head of the Institute for Science Education and Science Communication
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| Date: | Friday, September 29, 2006 | |
| Location: | Benedictine College (Same as the main meeting) |
Job Club: 5:00 - 6:00 P.M.
Topical Group: 5:15 - 6:15 P.M.
Social Hour: 6:00 - 7:00 P.M.
Dinner: 7:00 P.M.
Meeting: 8:00 P.M.
Where politicians have failed to ensure the safety of the world, chemistry might hold the key.
It is clear to every knowledgeable person that the biggest threat to the survival of Planet Earth is the continued unrest in the Middle East.
The idea to gather top chemists from all the Middle East countries to meet together under the same roof, discuss issues of common concern (i.e.: environment, water, science education, energy, nanotechnology), and collaborate to formulate solutions to address these concerns will help to achieve peace in the Middle East.
Two conferences for Middle East scientists have been held on the island of Malta (the first in 2003, the second in 2005) with six Nobel laureates delivering plenary lectures in each conference and leading joint workshops on issues of concern to the region. In his plenary lecture, Nobel Laureate Yuan T. Lee stated: "Borders are only lines on a map. Nature does not recognize borders. Only collaboration will solve the problems of the region."
The two conferences, outcomes from the two conferences, and plans for the third conference will be discussed in this lecture.Dr. Zafra M. Lerman received her Ph.D. from the Weizmann Institute of Science, and conducted research in isotope effects at Cornell University, Northwestern University, and at the Swiss Polytechnic in Zurich, Switzerland.
Prof. Lerman developed an innovative approach of teaching science to non-science majors, which has received national and international recognition. She has been invited to lecture on her methods all over the U.S. and in many other countries, including Brazil, Turkey, Hungary, Australia, England, Russia, Germany, Mexico, China, Japan, Taiwan, Cuba, Egypt, Kenya, South Africa and Israel. She has received over $5,000,000 in the past few years to work with Chicago inner-city teachers, parents and students.
Prof. Lerman received the 1998 American Chemical Society Award for Encouraging Disadvantaged Students into Careers in the Chemical Sciences. In 1999 she received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring from President Clinton. In 2000 she was presented with the World Cultural Council's Jose Vasconcelos World Award for Education in Johannesburg, South Africa (the first international award presented in the new democratic South Africa), and in February 2001, she was elected a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. She is the 2002 awardee for the James Flack Norris Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Teaching of Chemistry from the American Chemical Society -- Northeastern Section, and is the 2003 recipient of the American Chemical Society's Charles Lathrop Parsons Award in recognition of outstanding public service to chemistry. The Royal Society of Chemistry in England awarded her with the 2005 Ronald Nyholm Lectureship Education Division award, and the New York Academy of Sciences presented her with the 2005 Heinz Pagels Human Rights for Scientists Award.
She has also been featured by newspapers, magazines, radio and television stations around the world.
Prof. Lerman remains very active professionally with national and international associations in the fields of science, science education, and scientific freedom and human rights. It remains Dr. Lerman's tenet that free and equal access to science education is a basic human right that belongs to all.