06-23-06

Iowa State graduate student selected to meet Nobel laureates

AMES, Iowa -- Jonathan Mullin wants to hear what 23 Nobel laureates think are the new directions in science.

And then Mullin, an Iowa State student from Atlantic who's studying for his doctorate in chemistry, wants to ask the Nobel Prize winners in chemistry, physics and medicine about the rough times in their scientific careers.

"It would be nice to know that some of the brightest minds messed up, too," said Mullin.

Mullin is one of 530 students and young scientists from 53 countries picked to attend the 56th Meeting of Nobel Laureates in Lindau, Germany. This year's meeting will focus on chemistry. The meeting is Sunday, June 25, to Friday, June 30. Mullin's trip is sponsored by the National Science Foundation.

The meeting will feature presentations by the laureates, round table discussions and special student discussions with the laureates. Social events will also bring the students and the laureates together.

It's not easy for a student to get an invitation to Lindau. More than 11,000 applied for this year's meeting. The selection criteria include requirements that undergraduates be in the top 10 percent of their class, graduate students produce outstanding research and postdoctoral students publish in widely recognized scientific journals.

Mark Gordon, an Iowa State distinguished professor of chemistry, nominated Mullin for the meeting. His nomination letter notes that Mullin is playing a central role in development of a theoretical model that describes how biological processes interact with water.

Gordon also said Mullin -- who has bachelor's and master's degrees from Iowa State in biochemistry -- has been an outstanding chemistry student at Iowa State.

"His breadth of interests is truly impressive, ranging from biology and biochemistry to chemistry to theoretical chemistry and physics to computer science," Gordon wrote in his nominating letter. "At the core of his interests is an abiding desire to develop a deep fundamental understanding of biological processes and the chemistry that drives them."

When you ask about his academic interests, Mullin mentions theoretical chemistry, a fuel research project, surface science, biological problems and molecular dynamics.

He's working to be a faculty member at a research university.

He's also excited about the chance to talk science with some winners of the Nobel Prize and some students just like him.

"I think this is a very inspiring and energizing opportunity," Mullin said. "I'm very interested in meeting with other motivated students from around the world."

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