Thinking Creatively Is Topic To Launch NJIT Lecture Series

NEWARK, Sep 18 2007

The new academic year at NJIT brings another slate of thought-provoking ideas presented by the university’s technology and society forum. Among this year’s topics are China’s paradoxical future, honing mental tools for creativity, our nation’s healthcare crisis, the evolution of the Internet, and educating engineers for 2020 and beyond. Later in the semester, intellectual inquiry will be leavened musically with performances by violinist Rieko Kawabata and members of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra.

Robert Root-Bernstein, professor of physiology at Michigan State University, launches the season this Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2007, with his talk, “Mental Tools for Thinking Creatively.” The lecture will be held at 3 p.m. in the second floor Campus Center Ballroom. The public is invited and parking is available on the street. Bernstein will examine specific tools for creativity and demonstrate how each can be applied in practical ways to scientific and technological innovation, in a number of disciplines. He will also explain how truly creative people leverage entrepreneurial success with such tools.

Root-Bernstein, who holds bachelor's and doctoral degrees from Princeton University, was awarded one of the the first MacArthur Fellowships while a post-doctoral fellow at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies. This allowed him to develop novel theories of auto immunity and molecular evolution as he also investigated the essential elements of scientific creativity. A consultant to major biotechnology, pharmaceutical and chemical companies, Root-Bernstein has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed articles and holds more than a dozen patents either granted or pending. His books include Discovering; Rethinking AIDS; Honey, and, Maggots and Other Medical Marvels; and Spark of Genius.

Upcoming talks will feature Cheng Li, PhD, Brookings Institute Fellow and William R. Kenan Professor of Government at Hamilton College, who will discuss China’s future. “A Paradox of Hope and Fear,” can be heard at 3 p.m., Oct. 10, 2007, in the Campus Center Atrium.

David Himmelstein, founder of Physicians for a National Health Program, presents the final offering: “A Prescription for U.S. Healthcare.” The event is set for 3 p.m., Nov. 7, 2007, in the Campus Center Ballroom.

Support from AT&T and Hewlett-Packard have in part made this year’s presentations possible. For more information about the lecture series, please visit: http://tsf.njit.edu.

Tagged: David Himmelstein, Cheng Li, Robert Root-Bernstein, William Kenan, creative thinking

NJIT, New Jersey's science and technology university, enrolls more than 9,558 students pursuing bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in 120 programs. The university consists of six colleges: Newark College of Engineering, College of Architecture and Design, College of Science and Liberal Arts, School of Management, College of Computing Sciences and Albert Dorman Honors College. U.S. News & World Report's 2011 Annual Guide to America's Best Colleges ranked NJIT in the top tier of national research universities. NJIT is internationally recognized for being at the edge in knowledge in architecture, applied mathematics, wireless communications and networking, solar physics, advanced engineered particulate materials, nanotechnology, neural engineering and e-learning. Many courses and certificate programs, as well as graduate degrees, are available online through the Office of Continuing Professional Education.