Jasinski Reflects on Fulbright Experience in India
From Jerry Jasinski, Chemistry:
It is 6 A.M., Saturday, December 21st as I am settling into my seat on a British Airlines 747 airplane during the first leg of my return trip from Bangalore International Airport (India) to Heathrow (London) following an incredible four month Fulbright-Nehru Scholarship entitled “A Scientifically Oriented Cultural Exchange Focused X-ray Crystallography” at the University of Mysore (India), and correlated with a sabbatical semester from Keene State College (USA).
As I turned on my iPod to the tunes of Whitney Houston’s famous song “I will always love you,” it really began to hit me as to the most extraordinary experience that I just completed. Tears began to flow.
Just yesterday afternoon, I was honored as the Chief Guest and Speaker at the Department of Science and Technology (DST) – INSPIRE Internship Program-2013 produced by the Committee for Development of Science in Schools at the University of Mysore. In this program the top 200 students academically from the Mysore and surrounding areas in the State of Karnataka, India, were provided with a 5 day all expenses paid, on-site experience with housing and daily and evening program events in the Science Department at the University of Mysore. Students in groups of 50 rotated daily between the Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics Departments and were provided with morning lectures and afternoon hands-on experiences in smaller groups of 5-10 guided by faculty and graduate students in an effort to help them make career choices of further schooling and study in science and technology. After giving my talk emphasizing the role and future opportunities of women in science and technology both in the USA as well as in India, I was honored with a shawl and gifts to the roar of the audience. What then struck me was at the conclusion of this event, the request of dozens of students requesting a picture of me with them in small groups with their camera phones, a most humbling experience indeed. I also participated in their daily lab exercises during the week giving a session on modern state-of-the-art techniques in X-ray crystallography, which also resulted in picture taking events with them and an American Scientist that they could share with their local science teachers and fellow students. How can one ever forget such an exhilarating culmination of events?
Similar experiences within the Chemistry Department and nearby affiliated Colleges and Universities and Departments also occurred on a regular basis shortly after my arrival on the Mysore campus on August 27th, 2013. During the second week on site, I was honored as the Chief Guest and Speaker at the Inaugural Function of Chemical Society, providing the Inaugural Address on X-ray Crystallography at the Department of Studies (DOS) in Chemistry, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysore, India, a city of about 2 million inhabitants. The most incredible part of this experience was when the entire audience (200 attendees) stood upon my entrance into the room and seated themselves only after I was seated. Following my address on X-ray crystallography and the lighting of the candles event with the University Vice Chancellor, I was showered with a shawl and gifts to the roar of the audience. And at the conclusion of the event, everyone stood and remained standing until I left the room, another most humbling experience indeed.
This experience was repeated in several more instances whereby I was invited to be the Chief Guest and Lecturer on Basic Concepts of X-Ray Crystallography at Yuvaraja’s College, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysore, India (100 attendees), Chief Guest and Lecturer, Department of Studies in Physics, University of Mysore (75 attendees), Chief Guest and Lecturer, Maharani’s Science College for Women, Government of Karnataka, Manasagangotri, Mysore, India, (100 attendees), Chief Guest and Lecturer, PG Wing of SBRR Mahajana First Grade College, Pooja Bhagavat Memorial Mahajana Education Centre, Manasagangotri, Mysore, India (100 attendees), and Chief Guest and Lecturer, PG Wing of SBRR Mahajana First Grade College, Pooja Bhagavat Memorial Mahajana Education Centre, Manasagangotri, Mysore, India (100 attendees). The hospitality, respect for academic excellence as outlined in my BIO as an introduction as guest lecturer at each site and the dignity showered on me by each of these experiences was overwhelming. More tears were flowing.
In late October and early November I became engaged in a world-wind tour of several of the most prestigious graduate science and engineering departments in India as a Fulbright Guest of several of my collaborator friends and acquaintances. My first stop was as a guest of Professor Jai Deo Singh at the Indian Institute of Technology at Delhi (IIT-Delhi), a city of about 15 million inhabitants. A lecture on The Basic Concepts of Modern X-ray Crystallography (75 attendees) followed by a workshop on Structure Solution and Refinement With Olex2 Software and Advanced Concepts of X-ray Crystallography (25 attendees) given in a POGIL (Process Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning) format was extremely well received by these top rated engineering students in India who are specifically chosen competitively on an academic scholarship to attend one of these few IIT institutions within India. The unique hands-on interaction with faculty and students in response to my POGIL approach was powerful and most appreciated the attendees. When they complimented me on being “Santa Claus” for bringing to them such timely and interactive support and responses to their research issues, it was a most satisfying event that was repeated on several other occasions at other institutions later in my tour. The respect, hospitality, friendliness and eagerness to understand these new state-of the-art techniques in X-ray crystallography was a most refreshing and rewarding experience indeed. The hospitality of accommodations at the University Guest House and friendliness and eagerness of the students and faculty to absorb the updated state-of-the-art information on x-ray crystallography was just outstanding. I am sure to enlist a few more collaborators as a result of this and my following experiences.
My second visit was as a guest of Professor K. K. Bhasin at the Department of Chemistry at Panjab, University, Chandigarh, India, the top-rated academic institution in India. Again, a similar lecture (50 attendees) followed by a workshop (20 attendees) given in a POGIL format was also extremely well received. In addition, I was asked to give an invited lecture entitled “Synthesis, Structure and DFT Calculations of Some New Thiosemicarbazone Compounds,” at the International Conference on Interdisciplinary Areas with Chemical Sciences (ICIACS 2013), Panjab University, Chandigarh, India, at the same time as my visit to this department which was held at the same site. This was another impressive and rewarding experience for me to interact with the top scientists in India in such a friendly, respectful and hospitable manner. During my stay at Panjab University, Professor Bhasin and his graduate students found time to give me a tour of the famous “Rock Garden’” in Chandigarh and an escort to the foothills of the Himalaya mountain range for a variety of spectacular views. Again, the accommodations at the University Guest House and friendliness and eagerness of the students and faculty to absorb the updated state-of-the-art information on x-ray crystallography I had presented was again just outstanding.
My next stop was at Guru Nanak Dev University, Armritsar, India, a 300 acre gated campus, as a guest of Professor Tarlok S. Lobana. My lecture (50 attendees) followed by a similar workshop (30 attendees) given in a POGIL format was again extremely well received. Students of Professor Lobana and crystallographer Professor Geeta Hundal were extremely eager to continue with further collaborations in connection with this interaction. Also, during this visit Professor Lobana was most gracious to escort me to the famous “Golden Temple” spectacle while his research students later brought me to see the amazing Flag Ceremony on India-Pakistan Border where every day at sunset, since 1947, thousands of spectators gather at the Wagah Border Crossing (Google: India & Pakistan Full Wagah Border Ceremony – Frank & Jen or Cut throat competition at Wagah Border during Flag down ceremony) to view this most incredible event. Again, the accommodations, hospitality, friendliness and graciousness at the University Guest House as well as at the Chemistry Department were over the top and the eagerness of the students to absorb the workshop interaction was special.
Following my trip to Armritsar, my next stop ended up at the Indian Institute of Technology at Mumbai (IIT-Mumbai) a 350 acre gated campus on the outskirts of the largest city in India (20 million inhabitants) as the guest of Professor H. B. Singh. Again, my lecture on The Basic Concepts of Modern X-ray Crystallography (30 attendees) followed by a workshop on Structure Solution and Refinement with Olex2 Software and Advanced Concepts of X-ray Crystallography (30 attendees) given in a POGIL format was extremely well received. Among the brightest and most committed engineering students in all of India, they were mostly delighted with the intimate mentoring that was given in a most informal and engaging POGIL format that related directly to most of their research areas of interest. This was a most satisfying and enjoyable application of how teaching and research are directly and intimately connected with each other by providing the right framework for interaction with all parties respecting each other. Santa Clause was again recognized. Tears continued to flow. These research students also found time to escort me around the city of Mumbai with visits to the largest train station in India (20 tracks), a short tugboat ride around the harbor area of Mumbai near the Gateway to India, a museum visit and a floral park investigation. And the accommodations, hospitality, friendliness and graciousness at the University Guest House were exceptional.
The last stop on this trip was at the JIWAJI University, Gwalior, India, a city of about 3 million inhabitants as the guest of Professor Sushil Gupta. He visited Keene State two years ago during his Fulbright experience to the USA and gave a lecture to the department. His stay at my house for the week was reciprocated when I was invited into his house during my stay in Gwalior. My lecture (100 attendees) followed by the workshop (30 attendees) given in a POGIL format was again extremely well received. Following the workshop the attendees rushed to get pictures of them with an American crystallographer in their midst, a spontaneous and exhilarating experience, indeed. My host, Professor Gupta and two of his faculty colleagues also found time to escort me to a visit of the Agra Fort and Taj Mahal spectacle in Agar, India, a city of about 2 million inhabitants. Needless to say, this was the culmination of a most fantastic trip and one that will remain in my thoughts forever by a most gracious and welcoming host who ensured that the hospitality would be the best it could possibly be.
Upon my return to Mysore, I continued a collaboration with my host, Professor H. S. Yathirajan and his three research students, Manpreet Kaur, Channappa Kavitha and Thammarse Yamuna with whom I spent considerable time providing workshops and mentoring them as well as others in the department on the finer points of the basic concepts of modern X-ray crystallography in concert with structure solution and refinement with the Olex2 software package and with additional advanced concepts of X-ray crystallography and the publication of their results. A central theme that has been corroborated with all of my interactions during this Fulbright experience has been the role of collaboration in the pursuit of excellence in teaching and research in the science arena. I have identified the three most important characteristics for a successful collaboration to be communication, respect and trust. With these elements each collaborator brings unique strengths to the group for the most effective results. This type of collaboration has been evident with the Mysore group and with additional collaborators throughout India and resulted in the publication of over 25 new scientific research papers in peer reviewed journals during this four-month Fulbright timeframe involving these collaborators, the three research students and their mentor, Professor Yathirajan, an amazing accomplishment in such a sort amount of time. And this only happened because of the collaboration of my Keene State colleague, Professor Brian Anderson, who collected data on crystals of a variety of pharmaceutical compounds provided by the three research students and sent back to Mysore for structure solution, refinement, manuscript production and publication shared collectively by all three of these research students.
There was one more trip, an 8-hour train ride to the University of Mangalore, Konaje, India whereby in addition to my lecture on The Basic Concepts of Modern X-ray Crystallography (50 attendees) followed by a workshop on Structure Solution and Refinement With Olex2 Software and Advanced Concepts of X-ray Crystallography (30 attendees) given in a POGIL format, I was asked to help the graduate research students learn to run their new CCD X-ray diffractometer. After some trying times the right communication was made and the right guidance provided to collect meaningful data. A recent email from one of these students confirmed that they achieved success in this arena. And again, the accommodations, hospitality, friendliness and graciousness of the students and faculty as well as at the University Guest House were exceptional.
My daily routine in Mysore generally included a walk from the University Guest House to the Chemistry Department, about a half mile. One-on-one mentoring with the research students with the Olex2 structure solution software package intermingled with a very thorough understanding of the basic concepts of X-ray crystallography dominated much of this time. Then, once these skills were mastered, application to actual writing of scientific papers for publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals on actual compounds that they had synthesized in their laboratory and connected to their own research projects followed. After 2-3 months of this interaction these research students became very proficient in this activity and actually wrote several of the papers themselves that were subsequently published during this timeframe.
The hospitality, friendliness, and eagerness of the Yathirajan Mysore research students to engage in frontier research involving modern single crystal X-ray crystallography techniques and state-of-the-art software to solve and refine the collected data on pharmaceutically related compounds has been exceptional. They invited me into their own homes and shared their cultural strengths and religious affiliations freely without bias or any expectations. And their personal interactions in helping me to try to understand the unique cultural differences between India and the USA were equally overwhelming. They paid special attention to most of my personal needs with kindness, hospitality and appreciation. My Fulbright experience would not have been the same without their attention to my shortcomings in this arena. I am indebted to their patience and sincerity in assisting me through my understanding of the many unique cultural differences particularly since the goal of my Fulbright-Nehru project was “A Scientifically Oriented Cultural Exchange Focused on X-ray Crystallography.” I came to Mysore with an open mind and was determined to “go with the flow” while I was there. While this was a good choice to make, I know I have changed significantly in my understanding, knowledge and appreciation of another very different country, culture and society. Yet I am unable to put this change into words other than to say that it has been difficult to reprogram myself back into life back in the USA after having experienced such warmth, respect, appreciation, friendless and hospitality throughout all my travels in India.
The attention to my personal needs by my host, Professor H. S. Yatharijan and his wife, Lakshmi Yathirajan, as well as exposing me to the many cultural features of Mysore and the State of Karnataka was truly exceptional and absolutely appreciated. In Mysore I was escorted to the world famous “Mysore Palace”, St. Philomenas Church, Brindavan Gardens, the temple at Chamundi Hills and waterfalls at the Bluffs. The Dasara Festival attracted over a million additional visitors to Mysore during this extraordinary annual event, while the annual youth festival at the open air theatre on the University of Mysore campus attracted thousands more. My visit to the gigantic InfoSys gated facility was equally overwhelming. The largest training facility in the world bringing software engineers into the global workforce offering training programs for over 14,000 attendees housed in one building on site for 20 week tours all at the same time was another awesome event to experience. The numbers of participants in most of these events mentioned was staggering. The friendless, sincerity and appreciation of the faculty, staff and research students throughout the department and at the University Guest House where I lived in a protected environment was equally exceptional. When the research students of the Mysore Chemistry Department included me in their recognition of their own individual faculty members with a plaque and special thanks at a special event in late September, honoring their professors as outstanding teachers and guides, I was shocked and humbled to be included in this acceptance by this most amazing group of individuals.
It must also be remembered that without the timely and personal assistance of Dr. Sally Southwick, Assistant Director of the Office of Sponsored Projects & Research at Keene State College to help craft my Fulbright application in such a highly specialized format that none of this would have been possible. Thank you Dr. Southwick for your warm guidance and expertise.
Again, I cannot express my deepest thanks to my host Professor H. S. Yathirajan for his thoughtful and dedicated guidance throughout this extraordinary experience. I am thankful to Professor K.S. Rangappa, Vice Chancellor of the University of Mysore who allowed me to become the first Fulbright-Nehru Scholar to be associated with the DOS in Chemistry. This is particularly noteworthy since the sabbatical committee at Keene State College denied my initial application for such an exceptional experience and which can now be shared with future students and faculty at Keene State College. Thanks to KSC Provost, Dr. Melinda Treadwell, who reversed this decision, I was able to become engaged in the most rewarding and professionally orchestrated experience of my professional career and one that will be cherished forever. In this regard, I feel that I am luckiest person in the world to have been provided with this opportunity to meet and get to know some of the most amazing individuals anywhere who value human dignity, respect and sincerity and are the most friendly and hospitable group of people that I have ever been fortunate to be associated with in the most democratic country on this planet. And to be rescued by Dr. Treadwell after being denied by the faculty at KSC for such an opportunity is the most profound happening I have ever endured. Thank you Dr. Treadwell for listening and making significant contributions to life and professional growth on the KSC campus.
So, with tears in my eyes, I will continue to hear this song again and again, yes India “I Will Always Love You.”__
If I should stay
I would only be in your way
So I’ll go but I know
I’ll think of you every step of the way
And I… will always love you, ooh
Will always love you
You
My darling, you…
Mmm-mm
Bittersweet memories –
That is all I’m taking with me.
So good-bye.
Please don’t cry:
We both know I’m not what you, you need
And I… will always love you
I… will always love you
You, ooh
I hope life treats you kind
And I hope you have all you’ve dreamed of
And I wish you joy and happiness
But above all this I wish you love
And I… will always love you
I will always love you
I will always love you
I will always love you
I will always love you
I, I will always love you.
You.
Darling, I love you.
I’ll always…
I’ll always love you.
January 8, 2014
Publications
28. Synthesis, Characterization, and Computational Study of Three-Coordinate SNS-Copper(I) Complexes Based on Bis-Thione Ligand Precursors, Miecznikowski, John; Lynn, Matthew; Jasinski, Jerry; Reinheimer, Eric; Bak, Daniel; Pati, Mekhala; Butrick, Elizabeth; Drozdoski, Anne Elise; Archer, Kerry; Villa, Christine; Lemons, Elise; Powers, Erin; Siu, Margaret; Gomes, Camile; Morio, Kaitlyn, In press, Journal of Coordination Chemistry.
**27. 2,5-dimethylphenyl quinoline-2-carboxylate, **E. Fazal, Manpreet Kaur, Jerry P. Jasinski, B.S. Sudha, and S. Nagarajan, submitted, Acta Cryst E (2014).
**26. Crystal, molecular structure and DFT studies of some salts of piperazine derivatives, **Channappa N Kavitha, Ray J Butcher, Jerry P Jasinski, Hemmige S Yathirajan, Manpreet Kaur, submitted, Journal of Chemical Crystallography (2014).
**25. 4-{(E)-[4-chlorobenzylidene]amino}-3-Methyl-1H-1,2,4- triazole-5(4H)-thione, **B. K. Sarojini, P. S. Manjula, Manpreet Kaur, Brian J. Anderson and Jerry P. Jasinski, Acta Cryst (2014), E(70) 1, o57-o58.
**24. 4-Amino-3-(4-hydroxybenzyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazole-5(4H)-thione, **B. K. Sarojini, P. S. Manjula, Manpreet Kaur, Brian J. Anderson and Jerry P. Jasinski, Acta Cryst (2014), E(70) 1, o48-o49.
**23. Synthesis. crystal structure, antioxidant, antimicrobial and docking studies of some quinoline derivatives,** Sumaiya Tabassuam, Suresha Kumara T. H., Jerry P Jasinski, Sean P, Millikan; Yathirajan H.S, Sujan Ganapathy P S, Sowmya H B V, Sunil S More, Nagendrappa Gopalpur, Manpreet Kaur, submitted, Journal of Molecular Structure (2013).
**22. Heterocyclic-2-thione derivatives of silver (I): Synthesis, spectroscopy and structures of mono-and di-nuclear silver (I) halide complexes, TS Lobana, R Sultana, RJ Butcher, JP Jasinski, JA Golen, A Castineiras, Kevin Pröpper, Francisco J. Fernandez, M. Cristina Vega,**.Journal of Organometallic Chemistry, (2013), 745, 460-469.
**21. Solvent free synthesis, crystal studies, docking studies and antibacterial properties of some novel fluorinated pyridazinone derivatives, **HBV Sowmya, TH Suresha Kumara, G Nagendrappa, JP Jasinski, SP Millikan, Gilish Jose, Dileep R, P.S. Sujan Ganapathy, Journal of Molecular Structure (2013), 1054, 179-187.
20. 2-Isopropyl-5-methylcyclohexyl quinoline-2-carboxylate, E. Fazal, Jerry P. Jasinski, Brian J. Anderson, B. S. Sudha and S. Nagarajan, Acta Cryst (2014), E(70), o35-o36.
**19. 3,4-Dimethylphenyl quinoline-2-carboxylate, **E. Fazal, Manpreet Kaur, B. S. Sudha, S. Nagarajan and Jerry P. Jasinski, Acta Cryst (2013), E(69)12, o1853-o1854.
**18. 4-Chloro-3-methylphenyl quinoline-2-carboxylate, **E. Fazal, Manpreet Kaur, B. S. Sudha, S. Nagarajan and Jerry P. Jasinski, Acta Cryst (2013), E(69)12), o1842-o1843.
**17. 4-Chlorophenyl quinoline-2-carboxylate, **E. Fazal, Manpreet Kaur, B. S. Sudha, S. Nagarajan and Jerry P. Jasinski, Acta Cryst (2013), E(69)12), o1841.
**16. Ethyl 6-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-oxocyclohex-3-ene-1-carboxylate,** M. Sapnakumari, B. Narayana, H.S. Yathirajan, Jerry P. Jasinski and Ray J. Butcher, Acta Cryst (2013), E(69)12), o1839-o1840.
**15. Synthesis and Antimicrobial Evaluation of New Polyfunctional Imidazol[4,5-C]Pyridine Motifs, **Gilish Jose, T. H. Suresha Kumara, H. B. V. Sowmya, G. Nagendrappa, Jerry P. Jasinski, Sean P. Millikan,A. M Ashwini, (2013), submitted, Journal of Molecular Structure.
**14. Synthesis, Crystal structure, Antioxidant, Antimicrobial and Docking studies of S**ome novel Quinoline Derivatives, Sumaiya Tabassuam T.H Suresha Kumara, G. Nagendrappa,Jerry P. Jasinski, Sean P. Millikan, H.S. Yathirajan, H.B.V. Sowmya, P.S. Sujan Ganapath, , Manpreet Kaur, (2013), in press, Journal of Molecular Structure.
**13. 4-(3-Fluoro-4-methylanilino)-2-methylidene-4-oxobutanoic acid, **Prakash S. Nayak, B. Narayana, Jerry P. Jasinski, H. S. Yathirajan and Manpreet Kaur, Acta Cryst (2013), E(69)12), o1752.
**12. Raltegravir monohydrate, **Thammarse S. Yamuna, Jerry P. Jasinski, Brian J. Anderson, H. S. Yathirajan and Manpreet Kaur, Acta Cryst (2013), E(69)12), o1743-o1744.
**11. N-(1,5-Dimethyl-3-oxo-2-phenyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-2-phenylacetamide, **Manpreet Kaur, Jerry P. Jasinski, Brian J. Anderson, H. S. Yathirajan and B. Narayana , Acta Cryst (2013), E(69)12), o1726-o1727.
**10. 4-Hydroxy-5-(2-methoxyphenoxy)-2,2’-bipyrimidin-6(5H)-one dehydrate, **Thammarse S. Yamuna, Jerry P. Jasinski, Brian J. Anderson, H.S. Yathirajan and Manpreet Kaur, Acta Cryst (2013), E(69)11), o1707-o1708.
**9. N-(1H-Indol-3-ylmethylidene)-4-methylpiperazin-1-amine, **Channappa N. Kavitha, Jerry P. Jasinski, Brian J. Anderson, H. S. Yathirajan and Manpreet Kaur , Acta Cryst (2013), E(69)11), o1706.
**8. 2-[4-(Trifluoromethyl)phenylsulfanyl]benzoic acid, **Thammarse S. Yamuna, Jerry P. Jasinski, Brian J. Anderson, H.S. Yathirajan and Manpreet Kaur, Acta Cryst (2013), E(69)11), o1704.
**7. 4-Methyl-N-(4-nitrobenzylidene)piperazin-1-amine, **Channappa N. Kavitha, Jerry P. Jasinski, Brian J. Anderson, H.S. Yathirajan and Manpreet Kaur, Acta Cryst (2013), E(69)11), o1687-1688.
**6. 1-[4-(4-Hydroxyphenyl)piperazin-1-yl]ethanone, **Channappa N. Kavitha, Jerry P. Jasinski, Brian J. Anderson, H. S. Yathirajan and Manpreet Kaur, Acta Cryst (2013), E(69)11), o1671.
**5. Methyl 2-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenylsulfanyl]benzoate, **Thammarse S. Yamuna, Jerry P. Jasinski, Brian J. Anderson, H. S. Yathirajan and Manpreet Kaur, Acta Cryst (2013), E(69)11), o1670.
**4. Bis{4-[(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)methyl]piperazin-1-yl}methane, **Channappa N. Kavitha, Jerry P. Jasinski, Brian J. Anderson, H. S. Yathirajan and Manpreet Kaur, Acta Cryst (2013), E(69)11), o1669.
3. N-(1,3-Benzothiazol-2-yl)acetamide, Prakash S Nayak, B. Narayana, Jerry P. Jasinski, H. S. Yathirajan and Manpreet Kaur, Acta Cryst (2013), E(69)11), o1622.
**2. 3-(1H-Imidazol-1-yl)propanaminium picrate, **T. S. Yamuna, Jerry P. Jasinski, Courtney E. Duff, H. S. Yathirajan and Manpreet Kaur, Acta Cryst (2013), E(69)10), o1572-o1573.
**1. Desvenlafaxinium chloranilate ethyl acetate solvate,** Manpreet Kaur, Jerry P. Jasinski, Ray J. Butcher, H. S. Yathirajan and K. Byrappa , Acta Cryst (2013), E(69)10), o1556-o1557.
