Miscellaneous Items of Interest

Who is J. Marvin Herndon?

J. Marvin Herndon was profiled in the November 2003 issue of Current Biography magazine. Current Biography has been published since 1940 and has profiled some interesting people, such as Albert Einstein, Sir Winston Churchill, Marilyn Monroe, Stephen Spielberg, Enrico Fermi, Jacques Cousteau -- to name a few. To read his profile, click here.

What are some of J. Marvin Herndon's most important insights and discoveries in science? To find out, click here. Later, check out his other science website http://NuclearPlanet.com.

Photo at right: J. Marvin Herndon at the Institute for Transuranium Elements, Karlsruhe, Germany

Seasons come and go and America continues her slide toward mediocrity in science. What went wrong? Click here to find out.

What can be done? Perhaps America should take seriously the suggestions J. Marvin Herndon made for India's scientific renaissance. Herndon, J. M. (2005) Thoughts for India's scientific renaissance. Current Science, 88, 1714. Click here for pdf.

Also, see Prof. Rustum Roy's comments. Roy, R. (2005) Science funding in India. Current Science, 89, 424. Click here for pdf.

Leadership in education is a high priority for J. Marvin Herndon and for Transdyne Corporation. Sometimes it seems that those whose organizations serve to influence teachers put their own self-interests first, and education suffers. America might do well to consider seriously a suggestion that J. Marvin Herndon made for Indian education. Herndon, J. M. (2005) An idea for Indian education. Curr. Sci. 89, 425. Click here for pdf.

All to often young people are being taught "science facts" that may not be facts at all, instead of being taught to find out what is wrong with current ideas, and to think about new and better ideas. The following two papers for teachers are a first step toward encouraging change.

Herndon, J. M. (2005) Teaching about nature's nuclear reactors. Click here for pdf or go to http://arXiv.org/physics/0507088.

Teaching is not only hard work, but it is an activity that demands imagination, creativity, and flexibility. In most professions, individuals see the maturing fruits of their labors develop, and can enjoy the satisfaction that comes at the end of a job well done. But in many instances, the all-too-often unsung success of teachers, the way they shape and influence their students' lives, may never be known; teachers must just have faith that there is long-term value in what they do. One hundred thirteen individuals, including J. Marvin Herndon, confirm that in a new book, Celebrities Remember Their Favorite Teachers, reminding us all of the impact that teachers make in every walk of life. To learn more, click here.

University administrators are always looking for quick and easy ways to make really tough decisions, particularly decisions related to tenure and promotion of faculty members. But the quick and easy way may be inherently unfair and as well may have unexpectedly adverse consequences on education and on science. In a recent communication published in Current Science, J. Marvin Herndon discloses reasons not to use Science Citation Index data for administrative purposes.

Herndon, J. M. (2007) Science Citation Index data: Two additional reasons against its use for administrative purposes. Current Science, 92, 709-710. Click here for pdf.