To get a Ph.D. or Not

It come the time in someone's professional career when the following question comes to mind: Should I get a Ph.D.? Whether you are finishing your B.S degree or whether you are currently employed. Often times this question comes to mind. Read here a short article by ASME where this issued is addressed first hand.

Favorite Quantum Mechanics Interpretation

In July 2011 the “Quantum Physics and the Nature of Reality” conference was held at the International Academy Traunkirchen in Austria. A poll was carried out among 33 conference participants which included physicists, philosophers, and mathematicians. The results of the poll are quite interesting and I urge you to take a look at them here. However, to me, here is one of the most surprising results.

Note that after almost 90 years from the original development of Quantum Mechanics, there seem to be no general agreement (>50%) among the scientific community with respect to the interpretation of Quantum theory itself. So, what is YOUR favorite interpretation of Quantum Mechanics?

Geography of R&D Money in the US

Where are companies spending their R&D budget in the US? According to a recent study by the National Science Foundation, business are spending their R&D money in a small number of geographical locations throughout the country. Below is a table provided in the study that shows where large R&D companies are spending their dollars.

 

The data reported in this study shows that Silicon Valley and its surroundings continues to be the largest destination for R&D investment.

Read the full study in .pdf form here.

edX: An MIT and Harvard Partnership

Free online classes from MIT and Harvard. Doesn’t get much better than that! I encourage all of you to take advantage of this new resource. As a current MITx student enrolled in 6.002x, I can tell you first hand that these online education opportunities will eliminate geographical and socio-economical boundaries for education and will revolutionize they way we all learn.

 

“The Proof of Innocence”

Ok, lets be honest. What are our chances of successfully arguing against a police officer and a judge in court to get out of a traffic ticket. If the police officer claims you’re guilty, who is the judge going to believe? So, are you really left with just the hope that the judge believes you more than he believes the officer? Maybe. Unless you can mathematically prove using fundamental laws of nature that you are in fact innocent.  Take for example Dimitri Krioukov, Sr. Research Scientist at University of California, San Diego who wrote a paper to show in court his innocence from being accused to fail to halt at a stop sign. 

I recommend you read this paper and keep it in your records. Who knows, you might need to cite it  next time you are called to court for a traffic incident. And yes, he was found innocent.

Linus Pauling Science Center

In October 2011 Oregon State University (OSU) opened the doors of the new Linus Pauling Science Center. This four story 105,000 ft^2 building houses the Linus Pauling Institute, as well as classrooms and laboratories for scientists, researchers, and students.

 

Today, the Linus Pauling Science Center is OSU’s largest-ever academic building project with a cost of $62.5 million and several more million devoted to support the educational and research programs that will occur within the building. State of the art NMR and Electron Microscope facilities are currently located inside the building.

In addition to the state of the art research facilities, the building houses displays of information about the life of Linus Pauling, including replicas of his two Nobel Prizes  as well as other intriguing displays.

ONE-ON-ONE with Franklin Chang Diaz

Maria Hinojosa interviews Dr. Franklin Chang Diaz, former NASA astronaut and world known rocket scientist. These are the words of wisdom from a man that has seen and experienced the world in a rather unique way.  I really enjoy carefully listening to what Franklin has to tell us and I always find a lot to learn from him.

 

Rigoberta Menchú Book

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to meet 1992 Nobel Peace Prize winner Rigoberta Menchú Tum. Rigoberta, who was born in Guatemala, is of Mayan Indian descent and over the years she has overcome social, political, educational, and economical buriers to become an active advocate for the rights of the different ethnic groups in America. For all her dedication and hard work, she was also awarded the Prince of Asturias award in 1998. During my visit with her, she signed her book for me and included a short dedication. Here is her note!