Welcome! I'm so glad you've dropped by. This, my friends, is my space to regale you with all the wonders and mysteries of all things chemical.
Ever since I was a young girl, I've been fascinated with the world around me. One of my favorite programs was the updated version of "Mr. Wizard's World" (a forerunner to Bill Nye and the like). I just loved all the cool things that he did as well as learning the "whys" behind the experiments.
Thanks to a grandmother who taught me the wonders of the plant and animal kingdom and some pretty darn cool science teachers, I began to explore the realm of science.
I didn't care too much for animal biology, but I got hooked on chemistry during high school. And in the winter of my senior year, I realized that I wanted to be a chemist.
Flash forward to today. I'm livin' my dream of being a chemist and helping out people in my own way. For six years, I worked for the Liquid Crystal Institute at Kent State. I made the materials that may one day be found in Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs) that are so common today--they're in our laptops, our calculators, and even watches. Since July 2001, I have worked with an assistant professor in Kent State's Chemistry Department making new materials for the display industry.
But it goes beyond that. Not only do I love what I do, but I also get excited about sharing my journey with others. To me, "Chemistry" is NOT a dirty little word. And neither is "Chemicals". Yes, unfortunately, there have been horrific accidents and mishaps. But a lot of good has also come out of chemical research. As with anything, you have to take the good with the bad.
My goal as a chemist, is to help out those around me. This may mean working for a pharmaceutical company and making new drug candidates. Or it could mean working for a chemical company designing new compounds that will help other researchers. Or it could mean becoming a mentor for young girls who have the desire to pursue a career in science.
To me, it doesn't matter what your background is. I think EVERYONE should have some basic understanding in "how things work". Whether it's knowing how a combustion engine functions or what causes ozone depleation or which foods you should eat if you're anemic--all people should have basic scientific knowledge to make informed choices in their daily lives.
Now, more than ever, it is important to separate half-truths and faulty logic from what is actually known. Old wive's tales are given new credence by appearing on the Web or passed through mass e-mails. But by educating yourself on the subjects that most matter to you, you can cut through all the junk and get to the heart of the matter.
Scientists realize the consequences of actions taken years ago and are starting to correct their mistakes. They are also realizing the vast potential of our ecosytem and are tapping into it to find cures for all sorts of ailments. They are also finding renewable and biodegradable sources for such things as plastics.
And although priorities are starting to shift, we should not neglect the issues that have been with us before 9/11 occurred. It's great that funding has been boosted for biology-related and "homeland defense" related projects. But we should not neglect either basic and fundamental research or research that does not fit into the bio or defense categories.
With encouragement and time, I think that we will begin to see a new generation of chemists and scientists who will go beyond the baby steps we're taking and will come up with very innovative solutions to the problems we face today, like bio-engineering and energy shortages. To do this, we need to strengthen both primary and secondary education systems, especially in the math and sciences. I realize this may be a struggle in today's economy. But the state governments cannot continue slashing funds to public universities and expect to have a workforce that can compete for the computer and science-related jobs of today and the future. If you live in a state where this is happening, I would encourage you to speak with your representatives and petition your legislators to consider other options to balancing the budget.
Well, friends, that about does it for now. I hope that you will take a look at the links I've provided as you begin to explore the world of science.
Thanks, and please drop by again!
The Mad Alchemist, Maggie Walsh
Chemistry and science web sites
The Mad Alchemist LabMy new version of this page
The Liquid Crystal InstituteFind out about the stuff in your laptop's monitor, your calculator, and you digital watch!
The American Chemical SocietyThis site is open to members and non-members.
Take a look at what's new in chemistry and find out how it affects all of us
Maggie's Corner
Walsh-Martin Homepage
What I like about chemistry