Basic Research – Just a Waste of Time and Money?
How do fundamental discoveries in basic research change our scientific understanding? Through which means do they influence our use of technological and scientific applications? And by which measures can we assess the importance of a basic scientific discovery? Two entertaining and insightful talks elucidating the role of basic research in neuroscience and chemistry.
16.11.2015
Universität Zürich, Rämistrasse 71, KOL-E-18
Free
Free
The role of basic research in chemistry and neuroscience
Anthony Travis, managing director of the Sidney M. Edelstein Center for the History and Philosophy of Science, Technology and Medicine in Jerusalem, showed the important role that basic research in chemistry played in the development of synthetic fertiliser and synthetic textile colours.
Valerio Mante, group leader at the Institute of Neuroinformatics in Zurich, stressed the influence of seminal discoveries in basic neuroscientific research on our understanding of the human brain.
Two entertaining and insightful talks elucidating the role of basic research in neuroscience and chemistry.
Prof. Dr. Anthony Travis, Sidney M. Edelstein Center for the History and Philosophy of Science, Technology and Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem«Successful scientists have always had several things in common: They were inventive, hard-working and knew how to build on the collected knowledge of their predecessors. And of course: They benefited from a modicum of luck.»
Professor Valerio Mante, Institute of Neuroinformatics, ETHZ and University of Zurich«At the end of a scientific journey, the path to success lies there open and clear. But we should not forget that making the first step is always the hardest - and that every breakthrough depends on the contribution of countless scientists who ventured into new fields of knowledge without knowing the final destination of their journey.»
We want to thank all members of Reatch who made this event happen.
Main Organisation
Servan Grüninger (reatch)
Apéro
Martin Roszkowski (Lead)
Valeria Eckhardt
Sarah Zurmühle
Sara von Salis
Michael Kümin
Lukas Studer
Sandrine Gehriger
Promotion & Media
Joel Lüthi (Lead)
Sara von Salis
Valeria Eckhardt
Anthea Alberto
Lukas Studer
Thalia Kupferschmied
Servan Grüninger
Carlos Mora
Photography und Film
Joel Lüthi (Lead)
Michael Kümin
Also, we would like to thank the University of Zurich for the hospitality as well as Tamara Aepli and the Weiersmüller, Bosshard, Grüninger AG für visuelle Kommunikation for the illustration and the design of our flyers.