Speech calls for 3-sided investigations

IU consistently ranks as one of the leading research institutions in the nation. Based on this record, it is not surprising that top researchers from all fields come to Bloomington to conduct research in their respective fields. The school highlights this research each year by coordinating a lecture to allow distinguished professors to share their work with the University community.\nThis year IU honored Distinguished Professor Gary Hieftje of the IU Department of Chemistry and gave him the opportunity to present his research to a general audience Monday in the Whittenberger Auditorium in a lecture titled, "The Two -- No, Three -- Sides of Scientific Investigation."\nAside from highlighting some of his current research, Hieftje discussed the areas that compose scientific investigation: fundamental science, instrumentation and applied science. \nHieftje explained that traditionally in scientific investigation, either applied science leads to basic science or basic science leads to applied science.\nAlthough these are valid approaches, Hieftje said a third approach, called instrumentation, is necessary. He said this method serves as a catalyst and makes the process of scientific investigation three-sided rather than two-sided, he said.\nHieftje explained that he and his research group are using this idea of three-sided scientific investigation in their own studies by incorporating instrumentation.\n"The basis of my research here at IU is to understand the online computer control of chemical instrumentation and experiments," Hieftje explained during lecture.\nHieftje's research focuses on the investigation of the basic mechanisms of atomic emission, light fluorescence, mass spectrometric analysis and the development of instrumentation and techniques to analyze different atomic methods in the laboratory.\n"Today the most important scientific advances made are those that arise from basic research that doesn't necessarily need to be immediately applied to science," Hieftje said.\nSenior Erica Isaacson, a major in both science and physics, said advances in science can benefit society practically and culturally.\n"With practical benefits, we as a society benefit through technological advances and advances in medicine," she said.\nHieftje also stressed the importance of basic \nresearch, saying it initiates research that higher-profile research might overshadow. \n"Fundamental, basic research leads to new and innovative knowledge that can be applied to other areas of scientific and technical research. All of these basic areas of research are highly important in advancing ways of life in terms of a societal importance," he said. "It is this type of research that will be responsible for leading to the ultimate path-breaking advances in science five or 10 years on down the line."\nHieftje said he is not merely interested in conducting basic research in his laboratory -- he is genuinely passionate about sharing his knowledge of science with young students and the general public. In 1993 his students elected him to an honorary membership in the Golden Key National Honor Society. To share his ideas, he also has been a part of 450 scientific publications, filed for 13 patents and wrote 10 books.\nWith top professors like Hieftje teaching on IU's campus, law student Libby Lewis said she feels the college has a unique ability to offer opportunities to students and to keep the University ahead of the game in scientific research.\n"More science research creates more opportunities for jobs to open up and allows students who are studying in the sciences a chance to work with leading researchers in their chosen fields," she said. "This gives them an added means to compete in the job market."\nToward the end of his lecture, Hieftje said the one thing he would like the public to appreciate about applied science is that the importance of basic research can expand into studies of all kinds.\n"Basic research is not limited to the natural sciences," he said. "New advances are the ultimate goal of any kind of research, no matter how grand or small any research project may be." \n-- Contact Staff Writer Fatimah Scott at fascott@indiana.edu.