19th Edition of Global Conference on Catalysis, Chemical Engineering & Technology | Rome, Italy | Hybrid Event
A catalyst is critical to many reactions. Reactions in chemistry and chemical engineering. Reactions to motivate our next generation of students to become excellent researchers and scientific leaders. Reactions to understand that we are in a climate crisis and need safer, more environmentally friendly, catalysts. Reactions that propel science into tackling our most difficult problems from energy to medicine. And, yes, reactions that can either lead to an inclusive positive scientific community or one that is negative, condescending, and pushes our best and brightest away from science. What type of science do you want ? What type of science do we currently have ? Are you a “bad” or “good” catalyst ? I have spent my career in chemical engineering and technology, and studying reactions of all types. I have certainly seen many different types of catalysts. I deeply hope that I have been a good catalyst to the thousands of students and colleagues I have interacted with throughout my 25 year career. From my undergraduate days to even becoming a Chemical Engineering Department Chair at Northeastern University for over 7-8 years with contract renewal, I constantly sought to be a catalyst not just for excellent research and education, but also to be inclusive, positive, and forward thinking - a “good” catalyst, a “good” person. Help one another. Pull each other up. Foster positivity. Research is hard enough on its own. How else are we going to generate solutions to our most difficult scientific problems ? Unfortunately, in both chemistry and life, there are plenty of “bad” catalysts – and I have certainly seen my share in academia. Universities are full of “bad” catalysts who go unchecked. Catalysts who can barely get a reaction going on their own, and take pride standing in the way of others. Catalysts who minimize reactions rather than stimulate them. Catalysts far from good who destroy the research and careers of the “good” catalysts just for their own benefit. Bad catalysts who promote non-inclusive environments stifling, and even prohibiting, diversity in people and ideas. Jealous catalysts who are only happy bringing good catalysts down. This cannot and will not be my future, and if you find these bad catalytic environments, do like me, leave that negativity behind and gravitate towards the “good” catalysts. You might have to look long and hard to find them at some Universities, but be persistent – they are there especially in industry. Be a good catalyst - increase your rate of reaction without undergoing a permanent chemical change to yourself - remain “good” since believe me, you are helping improve science. Conferences can be full of “good” catalysts, but many are not. Be careful. Some academic societies and conferences are full of “bad” catalysts - prominent researchers who are only concerned with themselves. Their research is better. Their lab group is bigger. Their funding is greater. You have heard them talk about the same topic so many times, you could give their talk. Don’t waste your time. Instead, find those conferences where the “good” catalysts dominate. This conference is an example, now in its 19th edition. We will emphasize the “good” catalysts building new inclusive reactions. We will highlight positive science and network with all to become better in our respective fields. We will take a close look at energy, the environment, medicine, and other fields to build new good catalysts. So, please join us either in person or virtually. Become that good catalyst to others. Spread the joy of being a good catalyst and let’s rid science of the bad catalysts that have kept us all down for far too long. I hope to see all you “good” catalysts soon ! And hopefully we too will build some new good catalysts, together, for the good of science, research, and a welcoming community.
