To Carve Science at Its Joints

Plato once suggested that, to study the world, we should "carve nature at its joints." Rather than imposing arbitrary, man-made classifications, we should aim to uncover the true distinctions and divisions inherent in nature.

This can be compared with scientific activities that are often divided into fundamental (or basic) science and applied science. However, this dichotomous “carving” has been criticized, on good grounds, such as in Stokes' classical book Pasteur's Quadrant, where an additional dimension is proposed. 

In this talk and the following panel discussion, we will begin to explore the reasons behind this need for segmentation in the academic world and consider other potential dimensions that could serve as useful separators.

To make this discussion more concrete, and hopefully engage both the audience and panelists from OIST, I will illustrate these dividers and their pros and cons, using examples from my own experience in both fundamental and applied research. These examples will span topics such as wound healing, artificial ecology, and three specific problems in vascular surgery: optimal bypasses, removable stents, and precise compression treatment. 

The talk will be followed by a Panel discussion: 

Moderator: Prof. Nic Shannon

Panelists will discuss aspects raised in the Special Lecture and take questions from the audience.

Panelists from OIST will include:
Prof. Amy Shen
Prof. Mahesh Bandi
Prof. Ulf Dieckmann 

Panelists from Sweden:
Prof. Torbjörn Lundh
Prof. Lars Hultman

Open to all members of the OIST community, this event welcomes anyone curious about science and how it is conducted.

Professor Torbjörn Lundh

Torbjörn “Toby” Lundh is the Strategic Advisor on Internationalization to the President of Chalmers University and the former Deputy Vice Chancellor at the University of Gothenburg. He currently serves as the President of UNITECH International and was previously a board member of the Chalmers Foundation, Vice Chairman of the Chalmers Faculty Board, Chairman of the Swedish Committee on Education in Mathematics, and Chairman of the Swedish National Committee for Mathematics under the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.

Lundh is a professor of Biomathematics with a background in Engineering Physics (Master’s) and a PhD in Mathematics, specializing in potential theory and Kleinian groups from Uppsala University. He completed postdoctoral research at Cambridge University (UK), Stony Brook University (NY), and the Mittag-Leffler Institute (Sweden). Earlier this year, he was a visiting professor at the Biodesign Institute at Stanford University.

Currently, Lundh works in the field of mathematical biology, developing models for artificial ecologies, speciation, artificial life, morphogenesis, wound healing, and collective behavior. In addition, he has contributed to a series of MedTech innovations addressing issues in vascular surgery, which led to a sabbatical during 2015-2016 at Stanford University Hospital. Recognizing that almost all scientists today work with models—though their nature, usage, and objectives vary widely—Lundh, together with a colleague, authored a book published by Springer in 2016 on general scientific models to reduce misunderstandings and facilitate interdisciplinary collaborations.