When MOST meets Post

Postal Service, Students and SU Professors Unveil New Stamps Thursday at the MOST

What:
Syracuse City High School science students will be the first to own the newest stamps offered by the Postal Service on Thursday. Postal officials, students, members of local scientific societies and the Syracuse Stamp Club as well as executives from the MOST will hear from four Syracuse University professors who are subject matter experts in the science fields features on the new postage stamps: Electrical engineering, physics, chemistry and biology.

Thursday is the first day of sale for these stamps nationwide.

The stamps honor theoretical physicist John Bardeen, biochemist Gerty Cori, astronomer Edwin Hubble, and structural chemist Linus Pauling.

Who:
From the MOST: President Larry Leatherman; Exhibit Manager Peter Plumley
From the Postal Service: Syracuse Post Office Acting Postmaster, Gail Weeks; Customer Relations Coordinator Jeff Costello
From the Syracuse Stamp Club: President Michael Ammann; Vice President Richard Erat

From Syracuse University:

• Professor and Associate Dean Can Isik, Electrical Engineering, LC Smith College of Engineering and Computer Science
  
• Professor Carl Rosenzweig, Department of Physics, College of Arts and Sciences
  
• Professor James Spencer, Department of Chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences
  
• Professor John Russell, Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences

Special Guests:

• Mayor Matthew J. Driscoll
  
• Damian Allis, President, Syracuse Astronomical Society
  
• Rob Stankavage, American Chemical Society
  
• Participating students are from Fowler and Henninger High Schools

The program is sponsored by the LC Smith College of Engineering and Computer Science at Syracuse University and Lockheed Martin Corporation.

When:
9 am Thursday, March 6, 2008

Where:
Museum of Science and Technology
500 South Franklin Street, Syracuse

Background:
Theoretical physicist John Bardeen (1908-1991) co-invented the transistor, which was arguably the most important invention of the 20th century. Bardeen also collaborated on the first fundamental explanation of superconductivity at low temperatures, a theory that has had a profound impact on many fields of physics. He remains the only person ever awarded two Nobel Prizes in physics.

Biochemist Gerty Cori (1896-1957), in collaboration with her husband, Carl, made important discoveries — including a new derivative of glucose — that elucidated the steps of carbohydrate metabolism and became the basis for our knowledge of how cells use food and convert it into energy. Their work also contributed to the understanding and treatment of diabetes and other metabolic diseases.

Astronomer Edwin Hubble (1889-1953) played a pivotal role in deciphering the vast and complex nature of the universe. His meticulous studies of spiral nebulae proved the existence of galaxies other than our own Milky Way, paving the way for a revolutionary new understanding that the cosmos contains myriad separate galaxies, or “island universes.”

Structural chemist Linus Pauling (1901-1994) determined the nature of the chemical bond linking atoms into molecules. He routinely crossed disciplinary boundaries throughout his career and made significant contributions in several diverse fields. His pioneering work on protein structure was critical in establishing the field of molecular biology and his studies of hemoglobin led to many findings, including the classification of sickle cell anemia as a molecular disease.

Following the presentations and stamp unveilings, students are invited to view an IMAX film and visit the science exhibit hall. Exhibits by the Syracuse Stamp Club will showcase stamps about science from around the world.  Additional displays by the Astronomical and Chemical Societies are expected.

The national unveiling of this new stamp will take place at Madison Square Garden in New York on Thursday as part of the 2008 Mega Stamp Show.  The children and grandchildren of the honored scientists will be part of that program.