A Formula for Success

10/12/22 • 51 min

What inspires Caltech’s scientists and engineers in the pursuit of pathbreaking discoveries? Caltech President Thomas F. Rosenbaum offers his perspective on the Institute’s formula for success, including the value of the humanities and the importance of cultivating a diverse community. He shares his own scientific journey, along with the opportunities he sees ahead for Caltech in disciplines such as sustainability, climate science, astronomy, biomedicine, and quantum physics.

Thomas F. Rosenbaum is the Sonja and William Davidow Presidential Chair and Professor of Physics at Caltech.

Thomas F. Rosenbaum is the Sonja and William Davidow Presidential Chair and Professor of Physics at Caltech.

Previous Episode

Earth's Vital Signs

How did a love of history lead to a breakthrough career that, among other things, successfully took the body temperatures of dinosaurs? Caltech geochemist John Eiler talks about how he revived a neglected field to determine the isotopic structures of natural molecules and solve problems in Earth history, environmental science, and planetary science along the way.
John Eiler is the Robert P. Sharp Professor of Geology and Geochemistry at Caltech.

The Lonely Idea - A Formula for Success

Transcript

Introduction (00:03): Great science and engineering often begin with a singular hypothesis, but how does a lone spark of innovation become popular science? From Caltech, this is The Lonely Idea.

Rich Wolf, host (00:15): Welcome back to another session of The Lonely Idea. I'm here with President Tom Rosenbaum, the president of Caltech. Tom, welcome to the program.

Thomas F. Rosenbaum, guest (00:23): Thank you, Rich. It's really grea