A way to do science and to become a scientist – Science interests, scientific approaches, and a scientist's responsibility.

cultural caveats & a little history about me

1. Preparing yourself – Know your motivations, use them – Know your strengths, weaknesses, interests, passions – Give yourself time to think, ponder (What is worth giving your life for?) – Read widely, read deeply (both informational & biographical) Realize book learning has its limits

2. Picking a mentor/advisor – What traits/style/knowledge do you want to learn from him/her? – Compatibility Freedom vrs guidance Do you appreciate each other? Personal ‘chemistry’ – “If you meet the Buddha on the road, kill him” Becoming Buddha Everyone has strengths & weaknesses – see them with compassion

3. Picking a problem to study – Start with what you know & like, but stretch outside your comfort zone – Goldilocks and the three bears (‘this bowl is too big, too little, just right’) – Long term goals versus short term goals – At the end of the study, you will be a different person at a different place. Who & where? – Cavafy poem: Ithaca – Will the work be fulfilling, bring you happiness?

4. Take time – to think, to wonder, to observe, to question, to ask the questions no one is asking

5. Be tenacious: strive for completion (but realize when you’re on a dead end) (a good advisor can help)

6. About hard work… a)If you are passionate, it’s not work…it is joy b)When asked about his genius, Thomas Edison said: “It’s 99% perspiration, 1% inspiration” c)In science, that 1% inspiration is essential d)Story of the lost key

7. Social Responsibilities: using your talents & efforts for good What is good? Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein”

Enjoy the journey & find the path that brings true happiness to you, your family, your country, the world