Kochi is set to host a significant scientific gathering this week, featuring a Nobel laureate and a pioneering cell biologist. The event underscores the city's growing prominence as a hub for cutting-edge research and international academic collaboration.
Nobel Laureate and Distinguished Biologist to Grace Cusat
Professor Joachim Frank, a Columbia University professor and the recipient of the 2017 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, will deliver a special lecture at the Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat). He is globally celebrated for his pivotal work in developing the technique of single-particle cryo-electron microscopy, which revolutionized the imaging of biomolecules.
He will be joined by Professor Bhanu P Jena, a renowned cell biologist. Professor Jena, who holds positions at George E Palade University and as a distinguished professor at Wayne State University, is widely recognized for his fundamental discoveries concerning secretory functions within cells. His research has garnered significant attention in the international scientific community.
Event Details and High-Profile Attendance
The lecture is scheduled for Thursday and will be held at the Cusat seminar complex. The event will be led by Cusat Vice-Chancellor M Junaid Bushiri. The gathering is expected to draw senior academic experts from the university, along with prominent researchers and other distinguished figures from the fields of science and research.
Beyond the lectures, the programme holds substantial importance for future research initiatives at the university.
Strategic MoU for Green Hydrogen Research
A key highlight of the event will be the exchange of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Cusat and a US-based firm. According to university authorities, this agreement aims to establish a joint research collaboration with a clear, forward-looking goal.
The primary focus of this partnership will be the development of advanced photocatalysts and electrocatalysts for hydrogen production. This research area is critical for the global pursuit of clean and sustainable energy sources, positioning Cusat at the forefront of green technology innovation.
This event marks a notable moment for Cusat and the scientific landscape of Kochi, blending inspirational academic discourse with concrete steps towards impactful, collaborative research in a vital area of modern science.
