Campus Digest

Two distinguished scholars share insights on innovation and new technology at Institute of Creativity lectures

07 Mar 2013

Dr. Freddie Fu (left) and Professor Robert Grubbs share views on innovation and new technology respectively Dr. Freddie Fu (left) and Professor Robert Grubbs share views on innovation and new technology respectively
Dr. Freddie Fu (left) and Professor Robert Grubbs share views on innovation and new technology respectively

 

The Institute of Creativity held two distinguished lectures at which Professor Robert Grubbs and Dr. Freddie Fu, two renowned scholars in the fields of science and sports medicine respectively, were invited to speak. Professor Grubbs shared on “Fundamental Science to New Technology” on 26 February, and Dr. Fu spoke on “Innovation in Sports Medicine: Is the Latest Always the Greatest?” yesterday (6 March).  

 

During the lecture, Professor Robert Grubbs discussed how his research group discovered robust catalysts for joining molecules together through carbon-carbon double bonds. The catalysts were further developed for industrial application to make pesticides and drugs. Of particular importance are the developments in the areas of green chemistry and the discovery of newer efficient methods for the synthesis of green products.  

 

An expert in sports medicine, Dr. Freddie Fu discussed examples of innovation in this area. However, are new developments always better? He said innovation is necessary for continued advances in healthcare, yet it needs to be supported by both scientific and clinical evidence. In addition, we have to be aware of the power of marketing.  

 

Professor Robert Grubbs, 2005 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry, is currently Victor and Elizabeth Atkins Professor of Chemistry at California Institute of Technology, USA. Dr. Freddie Fu is Distinguished Service Professor at the University of Pittsburgh.