VCU Student Selected to Attend the 2010 Lindau Meeting of Nobel Laureates

The National Science Foundation has appointed a Virginia Commonwealth University graduate student to a U.S. delegation traveling to the 60^th annual meeting of Nobel Laureates in Lindau, Germany.

Thomas Reich, a graduate research assistant in the VCU Department of Chemistry, is the third VCU student to receive this honor. Reich will visit the island city of Lindau from June 27-July 2, where he will represent VCU and have the opportunity to interact with Nobel laureates, learn more about their research and other aspects of their careers, as well as share news of his research with other young scientists from around the globe.

“The Lindau program draws from a pool of the best young scientists in the world and the selection of Thomas Reich is a tremendous honor for him and the chemistry department,” said Scott Gronert, Ph.D., chair of VCU’s Department of Chemistry.

“I know Tom well and he is a truly outstanding individual with a promising career ahead of him. This invitation highlights the quality of students and faculty that VCU has attracted in recent years,” he said.

Since 1951, Nobel Prize winners in chemistry, physics and medicine have met with students from various countries annually in Lindau to discuss their research and issues of importance in their fields. This year, 75 in the U.S. delegation will join approximately 650 others from around the world.

“I am pleased that Tom has been selected for this opportunity because it will give him invaluable opportunity to interact with scientists from around the world who have contributed greatly to the advancement of science. I really believe this meeting will contribute greatly to his continuing development as a young researcher,” said Hani M. El-Kaderi, Ph.D., an assistant professor of inorganic and materials chemistry at VCU, and Reich’s academic adviser. Reich was the first student to join El-Kaderi’s research group in 2007.

While in Lindau, Reich hopes to gain valuable insight from these world-renowned scientists. Reich is greatly anticipating the trip and said the opportunity to interact with the Nobel Laureates keeps him motivated in his own research and day-to-day life.

“I hope to learn from these Nobel laureates about an often-overlooked ingredient for success - the application of knowledge. Learning how to utilize the education I have and will receive is, in my humble opinion, the most important piece of my graduate education.  Joining the attending laureates in conversation will, I believe, help develop the application of knowledge within me,” said Reich.

Reich has been investigating methods to improve the storage of hydrogen, methane and other gases for automotive applications by synthesizing a library of porous polymers with variable textural properties.

‘Each day I wake up enthusiastic about trying to take one more step in helping the world overcome significant environmental and economic obstacles,” he said.

This year, the group of students is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, Mars, Inc., the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation and Oak Ridge Associated Universities. More information about the conference is available at: http://www.orau.org/lindau/