The important role of basic research for society and how it is funded are at the heart of a special lecture titled, "Funding Basic Research, Promoting Excellence, and Building Trust", which will be delivered at 91ŃÇÉ« by Professor Helmut Schwarz, the president of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and a leading international researcher in the field of molecular chemistry. This special lecture will be presented Oct. 31, from 3 to 4pm in the Senate Chamber, 940 North Ross Building.

Helmut Schwarz 

Schwarz will argue that publicly financed, fundamental research is neither a luxury nor a subsidy, but a cultural achievement and, as such, marks the starting point of every single value-added chain. In his comments, Schwarz will also reflect on the funding principles and core mission of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation – the funding of individuals rather than projects, the emphasis on individual excellence and academic freedom. He will argue that more campaigning on behalf of the individual researcher is needed to support genuinely high-risk endeavors that are necessary for groundbreaking research.

Schwarz holds a research chair in organic chemistry at the Technische Universität Berlin.

Schwarz’s visit also marks the 10th anniversary of the opening of 91ŃÇɫ’s Centre for Research in Mass Spectrometry laboratory space on the second floor of the Chemisty Building, which he helped to celebrate 10 years ago at 91ŃÇÉ«.  A private roundtable discussion will be held in honour of this event and attended by Schwarz and the Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany Sabine Sparwasser.

91ŃÇɫ’s Centre for Research in Mass Spectrometry promotes and organizes research collaboration with other universities, hospitals, government institutes, such as , Ontario Centre of Excellence INC, ISTPCanada Incorporated, and the , and industries, such as , YESBiotech  and Concept 2 Clinic. Research in mass spectrometry has become an increasingly important and multi-disciplinary scientific activity world-wide.

“91ŃÇÉ« is delighted to host  Professor Helmut Schwarz, President of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, Institut fĂĽr Chemie, Technische Universität Berlin and pleased that Sabine Sparwasser, consul general of the Federal Republic of Germany will also be joining us at this visit to mark this special occasion,” said Robert HachĂ©, vice-president research & Innovation. “We look forward to the continued development of collaborative research initiatives and to strengthening the ties between 91ŃÇÉ« and research institutions in Germany.”

The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation grants research fellowships and research awards to researchers from around the world, allowing them to conduct research with collaborative partners in Germany. All researchers sponsored by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation become life-long members of the international “Humboldt Network”. Support from the foundation enables more than 2,000 researchers from all over the world to spend time researching in Germany. The Humboldt Network numbers more than 25,000 Humboldtians from all disciplines in over 130 countries worldwide - including 49 Nobel Laureates.

This lecture is sponsored by the Office of the Vice-President Research & Innovation and the Faculty of Science & Engineering. It is free and open to University community members. Seating is limited, so arrive early to avoid disappointment.

Republished courtesy of YFile– 91ŃÇɫ’s daily e-bulletin to research stories on the research website.

The post Special lecture looks at the important role of fundamental research in advancing discoveries appeared first on Research & Innovation.

“On behalf of the 91ŃÇÉ« research community, I would like to congratulate Professor Arturo Orellana on his receipt of the Boehringer Ingelheim Young Investigator Award,” said Robert HachĂ©, 91ŃÇɫ’s vice-president research & innovation. “This prestigious award recognizes Professor Orellana’s exceptional research achievements and contributions to the field of Organic Chemistry, at the early stages of his career. We are very proud of this well-deserved recognition of Dr. Orellana’s work.”

Arturo Orellana

Orellana’s research relates to the development of innovative metal-catalyzed chemical reactions for organic synthesis. In particular his research involves the development of new reactions to prepare small molecule building blocks with applications in the synthesis of pharmaceutically active agents and naturally occurring substances with important biological properties.

The R&D division of Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) is one of Canada’s largest pharmaceutical research centres. The Boehringer Ingelheim Young Investigator Award for Organic Chemistry is awarded yearly to a promising organic chemist in the early stages of their academic career and was established to support research in synthetic organic chemistry in Canadian universities.

For more information, visit the Orellana Research GroupĚý·É±đ˛ú˛őľ±łŮ±đ.

Republished courtesy of YFile– 91ŃÇɫ’s daily e-bulletin to research stories on the research website.

The post 91ŃÇÉ« researcher receives Boehringer Ingelheim Young Investigator Award appeared first on Research & Innovation.