Pioneers of science

Coloradans should celebrate their achievement, too

The Rocky

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Barry Gutierrez / The Rocky

'Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path, and leave a trail."

Attributed to American poet and philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson more than 150 years ago, this admonition was, at the time, reflective of the American Transcendentalism Movement that Emerson helped champion.

Today, it could easily be the motto of Colorado's scientific community.

The photograph on the front page on Tuesday's Rocky (reproduced nearby) provides a graphic reminder of how fortunate we are to live in a place where assumptions are challenged and theories tested, where the unknown is explored and breakthroughs achieved.

Those 29 scientists in the picture, and 13 other colleagues who shared in the Nobel Peace Prize, are the latest, but by no means the only, Coloradans who refused to follow the path in order to leave a trail.

They constitute a tremendous asset to this state - one that we shouldn't forget when searching for ways to improve the quality of life here.

Beginning with Tom Cech in 1989, the University of Colorado has seen four faculty members achieve Nobel laureate status in the natural sciences. The Boulder campus also has been home to seven MacArthur Fellows (not all scientists, of course), and has produced numerous astronauts for the U.S. space program.

Colorado School of Mines is one of the nation's most respected engineering and applied sciences universities, and the Colorado State University School of Veterinary Medicine is considered among the nation's best. CSU boasts numerous National Academy of Science and Academy of Engineering members, and dozens of various prestigious faculty awards.

Brilliant minds are working not only in academic settings in Colorado, but also at renowned medical facilities (National Jewish Medical and Research Center, the nation's leading respiratory hospital; the Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes; and Craig Hospital, one of the world's foremost rehabilitative centers for brain and spinal cord injuries, are three that come quickly to mind), at unique federal installations such as the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR); and in private industry, most notably Lockheed Martin, whose engineers are helping unlock the mysteries of deep space.

This incredible scientific talent helps make Colorado the special place we enjoy so much. But while the contributions of these men, women and institutions are recognized from time to time, too often the painstaking labor itself is overlooked. Progress is made without anything remotely akin to the celebrity culture of superstars in entertainment, sports, politics or even big business.

These scientific superstars no doubt prefer the anonymity, even if they appreciate the occasional recognition when it finally comes.

Nonetheless, we hail them. And as we do, we offer a reminder less eloquent than Emerson, but one with which we are sure he would agree:

Colorado, value this critical segment of our community. And, to the extent possible, make sure we sustain the facilities and supportive environment that will keep this top scientific talent in our state.