Beyond the Dollar: The Pure Passion for Basic Science Research

In my previous article, I argued for the power of ingenuity by highlighting how basic research can lead to unforeseen applications. This concept was exemplified through a remarkable story of two close relatives who both became scientists.

One is my uncle, now aged 85 and living with his wife Sue in Pleasanton, Californiaa place not too far from their children and the pleasures of wine tasting that are an essential part of life there. He is known for his high-level mathematical acumen, competitive spirit so fierce that it even intimidates poker rivals including me when I was younger, and above all elsehis ability to relate science to everyday experiences in a way that made them accessible to everyone.

For instance, while I was aspiring to be an accomplished baseball pitcher with a mean curveball in high school, my uncle shared the physics behind the curve's operation. My curveball improved significantly after his lessons on the ball's aerodynamics and spin rates. He drove simple, reliable vehicles for decades before upgrading to another base model Toyota Camry, embodying humility rather than ostentation.

In contrast to his thrifty lifestyle, my uncle was part of a humble community that revered him not just for his accomplishments but also for the intrinsic value he placed on science and education. My father, Charles Helmstetter, Ph.D., a retired scientist from Florida Institute of Technology and Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center who has made numerous discoveries over his 46-year careerhighlighting the significance of 'synchronized' bacterial cells being all the same age for various studies.

The common thread between my uncle and father was their shared passion for basic research, which they pursued with fervor, often engaging in discussions about grant writing and how it should be centered on knowledge for its own sake rather than speculative future impacts. Their approach to science was rooted in curiosity-driven exploration that didn't necessarily begin with a concrete objective but rather a hypothesis.

The underlying motivation in their work was the quest for understanding itselfthe joy of discovery without predetermined goals, an aspect that fuels research and the spark of ingenuity. It's a journey that has led them to uncover essential scientific truthstruths that, at times, may have transformative impacts decades after their initial formulation.

Citing Walter Isaacson in his latest book The Code Breaker, Jennifer Doudna, Gene Editing and the Future of the Race, he emphasizes that great inventions stem from understanding basic science. He states that nature is beautiful for its capacity to yield insights through this fundamental aspecthow genes encoded by DNA are transcribed into RNA snippets that instruct cells in protein assembly.

The pursuit of knowledge isn't driven solely by wealth or fame; instead, it stems from a noble mission to unlock the mysteries of nature and apply these discoveries to improve the world. The chance to contribute to ity's understanding of life's intricacies with the hope of making a better future is what sparks this drive.

This story underscores the essence of basic researchits importance in scientific advancement and its capacity to transform our understanding of the world around us, sometimes beyond our immediate expectations.

The motivation behind basic science research might not be wealth or recognition but rather the opportunity to unveil the beauty of nature's complexities. As Isaacson eloquently puts it: Nature is beautiful that way.

By fostering curiosity-driven exploration and investing in basic research across industries, governments, and academia, we can continue to unlock new insights and applications that enrich our knowledge and contribute positively to society.

Follow me on Twitter.

Michael Helmstetter

As the co-founder, president, and chief executive of TechAccel Technology Acceleration Partners, I am dedicated to technology and venture development initiatives. TechAccel is an enterprise that focuses on fostering innovation through technology acceleration and venture creation.

Please join our community by creating a free account to share your thoughts.

Read our community guidelines here.
This article is reproduced from: https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelhelmstetter/2021/07/06/a-story-of-human-ingenuity-crossing-decades/

Please indicate when reprinting from: https://www.ln83.com/Strange_and_unusual_words/Sci_Ingenuity_Pathway.html