Full Description
Lawrence Mysak provides the reader with memorable stories of pivotal events and distinguished mentors during his long career as a mathematician-turned climate scientist. After growing up as a Ukrainian-Canadian on the prairies, he did graduate studies in Adelade, Australia and then Harvard. While a professor of mathematics and oceanography at the University of British Columbia, he was blown away by the 1982-83 El Niño climate event of the century. This resulted in his taking up a new chair at McGill University in the 'hot topic' of climate change research. Establishing an internationally recognized research and teaching center for climate and global change led to much joy in collaborating with graduate students and colleagues from around the world through a shared interest in understanding climate change and its impacts.
The book will especially be of interest to young people contemplating studies in science, to established scientists considering a career change, and to the public at large who often wonder about the work of scientists. The reader will learn that in addition to teaching and research, many scientists, the author included, play important leadership roles as principal investigators of interdisciplinary research projects, journal and book editors, science policy advisors, promoters of international cooperation, and public speakers raising awareness of important issues such as climate change. The result: science is challenging but can be fun!
In addition, the book describes the author's search for a satisfying work-life balance. As a youth, he had many interests and hobbies, including music. While he once contemplated a career as a professional flutist, a wise music professor advised keeping music as a hobby and taking up a profession which would provide for a more comfortable lifestyle. Following this advice led to a rich and fulfilling life in which a scientific career was balanced with music, family, international travel (including to Russia and Ukraine), adventures in nature, and friendships across the globe.
Finally, the author looks back on the exciting and challenging times he had while serving as president of the (Canadian) Academy of Science in the 1990s, and a decade later, as president of the International Association for the Physical Sciences of the Oceans.
Contents
Part I: Growing Up in a Ukrainian-Canadian Prairie Family.- 1. Mom and Dad.- 2. Early Years: What Do I Want to Be?.- Part II: Life as a Mathematician, Climate Scientist and Professor in Canada, Australia, the United States, and Europe.- 1. Dr. John Weaver, Summer 1961 Supervisor.- 2. From Disaster to Enlightenment: How I Learned to Teach.- 3. George, Paul and My Erdős Number of 2.- 4. My Harvard Teaching Assistantship: Life as an Academic Doppelgänger.- 5. Surviving with My Harvard PhD Supervisor: Navigating the Grad Student Labyrinth.- 6. Memories of a Conference in Moscow.- 7. The Invited Talk.- 8. My First Academic Home: UBC.- 9. A Sabbatical at the University of Cambridge.- 10. Wooing Mary and Winning Over Mom.- 11. Writing Waves in the Ocean, a Serendipitous Project.- 12. A Year in Zürich.- 13. El Niño and Me: My Move to McGill University.- 14. On Becoming a 'Fellow'.- 15. Creating a Climate Centre at McGill.- 16. Presiding over the Academy of Science: Fostering Intellectual Companionship.- 17. An Interview at the University of Alberta.- 18. My Cutting-Edge Pickup Line.- 19. Going International: My Long Association with IAPSO and IUGG.- 20. Stained Glass, Outdoor Hockey Rinks, and Climate Change.- 21. The Model Graduate Student.- 22. Chairing the Steacie Prize Selection Panel.- Part III: Other Adventures and Loves.- 1. Mastering Tone and Technique on the Flute.- 2. A Call from the Orchestra Director.- 3. Dad Was Right: Flute Beats Out Hockey.- 4. Country Cottage.- 5. Cycling Along the Mosel River Valley: Combining Business and Pleasure.- 6. Rewarding Good Work.- 7. Giving Back: On Philanthropy.- 8. Ukraine: Reminiscences and Survival.- Chronology of Main Achievements, Awards, and Honors .- References.- Index.
