Jayshree Seth is a scientist.
She is actually one of the highest-ranking scientist at 3M (MMM) (the folks who make your Post-its Notes) and has more than 60 patents.
Even cooler, she was recently appointed as the first chief science advocate and will be spending a fair chunk of her time advocating for science to skeptics and young scientists alike.
Because science is everywhere and it is high-time people realize it, says Seth.
Sadly, many people do not. 3M Launched a State of Science Index in March. The company conducted a global study that looked at the attitudes and perceptions toward science across 14 countries and 14,000 people.
Their key findings may surprise you:
- 87% characterize science as fascinating, not boring.
- Yet nearly 40% of the global population believes if science didn't exist there everyday life would not be all that different (What???)
- The study also found that almost one-third of the global population is skeptical of science, and 20% distrust scientists.
So there clearly is work to be done.
People also may not realize that 3M is everywhere—not just your Post-it Notes. "We are in every industry," said Seth, from industrial adhesives to the fasteners that keeps your baby's diapers on tight.
3M increasingly is involved in healthcare, data integration and automation. And with the trend toward electric and high-efficiency cars, the company recently introduced a cool new glass bubble for the outside of the car to reduce overall vehicle weight.
So watch the clip above as #AlphaRising talks with Seth about the innovations coming down the pike.
Then listen to the full podcast above to hear her story from how she grew up in India, was one of the only women in her lab when she went to grad school in the U.S. to her current role as super-cool chief scientist.
