Research institutions should invest heavily in young researchers

Daniel Shechtman, winner of the 2011 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, gives interview during a visit to FAPESP.

By Elton Alisson

Agência FAPESP – Daniel (Dan) Shechtman, winner of the 2011 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, visited FAPESP on August 2, 2012. The Israeli scientist initiated his visit to gather information about the research funding programs at FAPESP and investigate the possibility of establishing new partnerships between scientists at Technion (Israel Institute of Technology) and research centers in the State of São Paulo.

According to Shechtman, no Brazilian researchers are working currently at the Israeli university, which is headquartered in Haifa. In addition to Shechtman, two other professors at Technion received Nobel Prizes in Chemistry during the last ten years. Shechtman emphasized that Technion would be very pleased to welcome Brazilian scientists.

“During this visit to São Paulo, I had the opportunity to meet very good researchers and professors. The science done here is of very good quality, and I would be greatly pleased to work with Brazilian scientists,” Shechtman told Agência FAPESP.

Shechtman’s second visit to Brazil was part of a mission that was organized by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Relations. The Israeli scientist participated in the opening lecture at the 64th Annual Meeting of the Brazilian Society for the Progress of Science (SBPC), which was held July 22-27 in São Luis, Maranhão.

In his SBPC lecture, Shechtman related the history of his discovery of quasicrystals—ordered structural shapes that are similar to crystals but, unlike crystals, their structural patterns do not repeat—for which he received the 2011 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

In addition to spending time in Maranhão, the scientist traveled to Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, where he visited universities and research institutions such as the Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP) and the National Synchrotron Light Laboratory (LNLS).

During his visit to FAPESP, Shechtman noted that he was impressed with the number of long-term research projects funded by FAPESP and the amount of resources invested in science in the State of São Paulo.

“One percent of all the taxes collected in the state to finance research represents a very impressive figure. The work performed by FAPESP is a good example of the kind of scientific funding that should be carried out in other parts of the world,” he explained.

Investment in young researchers

Shechtman suggested that Brazilian universities and research institutions invest heavily to support young, recently hired researchers who show potential for scientific careers.

He cited an example where Technion offers over US $1 million in funding that enables young, newly hired researchers to build their own laboratories during their first two or three years at that institution.

“All they need are their own labs, and young researchers can carry out special experiments that other scientists don’t do yet. Soon, they are able to compete with their counterparts,” he commented.

Albert Einstein (1879-1955) was one of the greatest supporters and the first president of Technion. As a professor of materials science at Technion, Shechtman continues his research on quasicrystals. He has taught a course on technological entrepreneurism since 1986. He teaches science and engineering students about marketing, administration and intellectual property and encourages them to open their own businesses based on technology.

After winning the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2011, the Israeli scientist says that he became a “missionary of science,” traveling to different countries with the goal of making leaders more sensitive to the importance of investing in science, technology and innovation to promote socioeconomic development.

“Schechtman’s FAPESP visit allowed for a very important exchange of experiences and opinions on the role of research and entrepreneurism in the development of society. We had the opportunity to hear his reflections and evaluation on how it works in Israel and explain to him what is being done in the State of São Paulo in this respect,” said FAPESP President Celso Lafer.

CEO José Arana Varela, Scientific Director Carlos Henrique de Brito Cruz and Lafer received Shechtman at FAPESP.