Life has taught us one thing again and again and that is, you might not get appreciated for what you do but that does not mean that you are unworthy. Unfortunately, a lot of times incredible achievements and amazing people get appreciated after a long time, sometimes even a lifetime. Take Van Gogh for example.
In this blog we are going to look at 5 amazing yet underappreciated chemists of all time from Asia. So, buckle up for some nerdy trivia. If you want to learn more about such facts or improve your chemistry, make sure to take classes from the top chemistry tutors in Kolkata at Mr. Banerjee Tutors’ Hub.
- Yuan Longping (China): The Father of Hybrid Rice
- Yuan Longping, was a Chinese agronomist who revolutionised the landscape of agriculture with his groundbreaking work on hybrid rice. His work on hybrid rice largely improved crop yield not only in China but across the world, greatly reducing food scarcity. Although his work was revolutionary, Yuan Longping is still relatively unknown to the common mass.
- Ahmed Zewail (Egypt): Pioneer of Femtochemistry
- Ahmed Zewail, an Egyptian-American scientist, won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1999 for his groundbreaking work in femtochemistry, the study of chemical reactions on extremely short timescales. Although he has been greatly recognized in the scientific circle, Ahmed Zewail isn’t a name that any random person across the globe would easily recognise like Isaac Newton or Marie Curie.
- Asima Chatterjee (India): Trailblazer in Organic Chemistry
- Asima Chatterjee, is an Indian scientist and chemist who contributed largely to the development of antiepileptic drugs and organic chemistry. Her work paved the way for the fields of Indian chemistry and medicinal chemistry in our country. Unfortunately, Asima Chatterjee is often overshadowed in popularity by her western counterparts.
- Yoshiro Nakaoka (Japan): Innovator in Coordination Chemistry
- Yoshiro Nakaoka, a Japanese chemist, made significant contributions to coordination chemistry, especially on the synthesis and reactivity of metal complexes. His work laid the groundwork for the development of new catalysts and materials. Despite the fact that Nakaoka’s work contributed greatly to the development of new catalysts and materials, he is still under-appreciated as a major figure in coordinate chemistry.
- Paul J. Chou (Taiwan): Advancing Polymer Chemistry
- Paul J. Chou, a Taiwanese-American chemist, played a crucial role in advancing polymer chemistry including its use in the electronics and medicine industries. Although Paul Chou is a major contributor to the development of the field of polymer chemistry, he is overlooked in many scientific communities.
Conclusion:
Although the five chemists who we have discussed in this blog have been unfairly under-appreciated, their work has still been incredibly groundbreaking in their respective fields. There are numerous scientists like them all over the world who are constantly developing the scientific landscape. Think about how the people around you are influencing their surroundings. For example, take your teacher, home tutor for chemistry, friends, family, someone that you just know about or even yourself, and think how you are doing something meaningful that is positively impacting your life along with many others. Be mindful and stay grateful. We can only grow as a community and as a team.
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