Talk: Challenging the Unknown by Mamoru Mohri

The Astronomy Club at UTAR Kuala Lumpur Campus cordially invites you to a talk below:


Title: Challenging the Unknown
Speaker: Mamoru Mohri, Chief Executive Director of the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Miraikan), Astronaut, JAPAN
Date: 13 July 2012 (Friday)
Time: 5.00pm – 6.00pm
Venue: 6F Conference Room, SA Block, Faculty of Engineering & Science, UTAR Kuala Lumpur Campus.

Abstract

Challenging known knowledge and venturing into the unknown with the focus of learning is science. Plus, the purpose of science in acquiring more knowledge is to be able to apply that science for the betterment of all life on our planet. Another key to being a scientist, or any successful person, is to have an open mind willing to experiment with new perspectives and new ideas. Space flight challenged me to see life differently, changed my thoughts on microgravity and living in a weightless environment, and forever altered my perspectives on everything. I will take you on a journey to an alien environment that will challenge common
thoughts on space, and through this new experience, hopefully transform your thoughts and perspectives on space and science.

For more information and registration please contact:
Ms Teoh Hui Chieh (teohhc@utar.edu.my),
Dr. Wang Chan Chin (wangcc@utar.edu.my)

Profile of Mamoru Mohri, Ph.D.
Chief Executive Director of the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Miraikan) Mamoru Mohri, Born in Hokkaido in 1948, obtained a doctorate in chemistry at Australia’s Flinders University before becoming an associate professor at Hokkaido University in1982, specializing in nuclear fusion research. After transferring to the National Space Development Agency of Japan, now known as JAXA, in 1992 he became the first Japanese astronaut to participate in a NASA mission where he conducted forty-three experiments proposed by American and Japanese researchers. During the same mission, he held a “Space Classroom” for children which became a nation-wide event.
In 2000, he participated in his second NASA mission where he was successful in using a high definition camera to obtain the first three-dimensional cartography data of the earth. In October of the same year, he became the Chief Executive Director of the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Miraikan). In 2003, with the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), he conducted a further sixty experiments at depths of up to 6,500 meters in order to further his understanding of other scientific fields. He continued expanding his knowledge by participating in the first solar eclipse observation trip to Antarctica, obtaining footage that was broadcast live on NHK television. In 2007, celebrating fifty years since the opening of Showa Station (Antarctica), the National Institute of Polar Research joined forces with science centers in Japan (Miraikan), Thailand and Australia to conduct an online lesson in which he was a participant from Antarctica. Currently he is continuing his mission to find ways to explain cutting-edge science developments to new generations, and inspiring the scientists of the future. He is a member of the Science Council of Japan, a coordinate professor at the Tokyo Institute of Technology, an expert advisor to the Council for Science and Technology.


Research Interest
Vacuum and Surface Sciences, Nuclear Fusion Materials, Space Experiments


Awards
1992 The Prime Minister’ s Honors
1992 Director General of Science and Technology Agency Award
2001 The 52nd NHK Broadcast Cultural Award
2001 NASA Honor Award
2006 Order of Australia
2007 Fellow, The Japan Society of Applied Physics

Author

2001 “Gifts from Space” , Iwanami Publishing
2002 “Thinking about the Future from the Middle of Space” , Suken Publishing
2005 “Messages from Biodiversity” , Yama to Keikoku Publishing
2005 “From Space Earth is Only One Star” , Wedge Publishing
2006 “NASA The Complete Illustrated History” , Michael Gorn.
(translation by Mamoru Mohri), Transworld Japan, among others.
2009 "Moma's Mars Exploration", Kodansha Publishing
2010 “Science Literacy for the Japanese People”, PHP Science World Publishing
2011 “Le arning from Science - Universology", Iwanami Publishing