Scientists

Tim White: On the Trail of our Human Ancestors

Tim White
2003

Tim White, Professor of Integrative Biology at UC Berkeley, joins host Harry Kreisler for a discussion of how science is changing our understanding of mankind's origins.

KEYWORDS: Evolution.

Svante Paabo: Neanderthal Man

Svante Paabo
2014

Conversations host Harry Kreisler welcomes Svante Pääbo, Director of the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany, for a discussion of his intellectual journey. Svante Pääbo highlights both the opportunities and obstacles that characterized his 30 year quest to uncover the genome of Neanderthal Man. In the course of his reflections, he elucidates the nature of scientific inquiry and highlights the possible long-term implications of using genetic research to understand the genome of human ancestors and thereby understand the uniqueness of humans. Svante Pääbo...

Ken Goldberg: Robotics and Art in the Information Age

Ken Goldberg
2005

UC Berkeley's Ken Goldberg, Professor of Industrial Engineering, joins Conversations Host Harry Kreisler for a discussion of his dual careers as an industrial engineer who designs robots and an artist whose creations use robots to stimulate understanding of technology's impact.

KEYWORDS: Technology, Art, Robotics, Humans and Machines

Ken Goldberg: Technology, Culture, and Political Change

Ken Goldberg
2011

Conversations host Harry Kreisler welcomes Berkeley's Ken Goldberg for a conversation on his research as a professor of engineering and his recent projects as an artist. Starting with a discussion of robotics in surgery and cancer therapy, Goldberg then moves to an analysis of their application in disasters and on the battlefield. Describing several of his recent art projects, Goldberg then discusses complementarities with his engineering research. Drawing on the work of Heidegger, Goldberg reflects on the philosophical implications of 'telepresence.' The conversation then...

Sylvia A. Earle: Ocean Voyages

Sylvia A. Earle
2011

Conversations host Harry Kreisler welcomes Sylvia A. Earle, Explorer-in-Residence at the National Geographic Society, for a discussion of her work as a research scientist, oceanic explorer, entrepreneur, and public educator. Tracing her intellectual journey,Earle talks about the influence of her formative years, her education, the importance of the ocean for life on earth, and the challenges of being both a scientist and a citizen concerned about the fate of the oceans.

Key Words: Scientists, Environment, Women Trailblazers, Marine Life, Oceans

Steven W. Squyres: Roving Mars

Steven W. Squyres
2011

Conversations host Harry Kreisler welcomes Cornell's Steve Squyres, for a discussion of the Mars Exploration Rover Mission. Reflecting on the intellectual journey that led to his role in the Mars mission, Squires
reminisces about his early years, his education and his career in geology and astronomy. Discussing the role of leadership in a complex scientific project, he compares the characteristics, skill set, and work of
scientists and engineers, and he describes the dynamic process that led to the project’s success in exploring Mars. Analyzing the distinctive features of Mars, the...

Steven Chu: A Scientist's Random Walk

Steven Chu
2004

Nobel Laureate Steven Chu in a conversation with UC Berkeley's Harry Kreisler about scientific inquiry and the evolution of Chu's own research interests.

http://globetrotter.berkeley.edu/people4/Chu/chu-con0.html

Key Words: Nobel Laureates, Scientists

Sir John Gurdon: Revolution in the Biological Sciences

Sir John Gurdon
2006

Host Harry Kreisler Welcomes Professor Sir John Gurdon for a discussion of advances in research on cell biology. Sir John reflects on his career as a scientist including his path breaking research on cloning. He offers insights into the implications of the revolution in the biological sciences.

http://globetrotter.berkeley.edu/people6/Gurdon/gurdon-con0.html

Key Words: Nobel Laureates, Genetics, Scientists, Bioscience, Cloning, Cells, Berkeley Graduate Lecturers

Sir David King: Science and Public Policy

Sir David King
2005

Host Harry Kreisler welcomes Sir David King, Science Advisor to the British Government, for a discussion of the role of science in policy making.

http://globetrotter.berkeley.edu/people5/King/king-con0.html

Key Words: Scientists, Environment, Science and Public Policy, Climate Change, Great Britain, Global Warming

Siegfried S. Hecker: Science Diplomacy and Nuclear Threats

Siegfried S. Hecker
2010

Conversations host Harry Kreisler welcomes Siegfried S. Hecker, former Director of the Los Alamos National Laboratory, for a discussion of scientists, the national laboratories, and the threat posed by nuclear weapons. Hecker traces his career in material sciences, describes the evolution of his intellectual focus, and recalls his leadership of Los Alamos. He then traces the changes in the international security environment in the aftermath of the collapse of the Soviet Union discussing the response of the U.S. and the weapons laboratories to the momentous events that created a...