2014 Inaugural Halton Lecture
NZIC are proud to present the 2014 Inaugural Halton Lecture:
"Is Organic Chemistry Still Relevant? Reminiscences, Ruminations and Ramblings of a Graduate of the Brian Halton School of Organic Chemistry." A lecture by Martin Banwell, The Australian National University, Australia
5.30pm Wednesday 8 October 2014
AM102, Alan MacDiarmid Building
Abstract: The speaker carried out his Honours- and PhD-level studies in organic chemistry with Brian Halton more years ago than either probably cares to remember but the former, at least, recalls the experience with great affection. Given the nature of this lecture it now seems appropriate to ask and then try to answer some key questions, the broadest of which is whether or not organic chemistry remains relevant in today’s world.
Martin Banwell is Professor in the Research School of Chemistry at The Australian National University. He is one of Australasia’s most eminent organic chemists, with over 300 journal publications, 10 patents and numerous awards. Martin was educated at Victoria University of Wellington, gaining a BSc in 1976 with First Class Honours in 1977, and staying on to complete a PhD under the supervision of Brian Halton. He conducted postdoctoral research with Prof. Leo Paquette at Ohio State University, before taking up teaching positions at the Universities of Adelaide, Auckland and Melbourne. Martin has been at the Research School of Chemistry at the Australian National University since 1995, and rose to Professor in 1999. He serves on the editorial boards of several international journals and is highly sought for visiting speaker engagements worldwide.
Background: Last year the Wellington Branch of the NZ Institute of Chemistry reinstated the Mellor lecture after a lapse of about 10 years. Joseph William Mellor was a NZ educated scientist who made a significant impact on 20th century ceramics and inorganic materials science. It was decided that this would be the first of a three yearly cycle of named lectures. This year will be the inaugural Halton lecture and 2015 we will have the inaugural Curtis lecture. These lectures are to acknowledge the active and continuous research of Emeritus Professors Brian Halton and Neil Curtis in their respective fields of organic and inorganic/organometallic chemistry, and their significant and on-going contributions to science in New Zealand and to the NZIC.