Diversity in CNAS fields
Alan Turing - Computer Scientist
Turing and team developed a code-breaking device that helped the Allied Forces win World War II, essentially "saving the world." He is credited as the first to pursue artificial intelligence. Recent movies The Imitation Game and Ex Machina reflect his influence.
Alhazen - Theoretical Scientist
Alhazen, born in (what is now known as) Iraq around 965 A.D., discovered that a hypothesis must be proven by experiments based on confirmable evidence or mathematical evidence.
Don Hamilton Barden - Hospitality Entrepreneur
Barden's first business was a record store in Detroit, MI, but he went on to build casinos in the midwest, the south, and even Las Vegas. A soft-spoken low-key man from humble beginnings, Barden followed his passion and found his place, a literal place.
Ernest Everett Just - Biologist
Just made significant contributions to science in the area of fertilization and early development of various marine invertebrates and his work helped to establish the ecological development biology field.
George Washington Carver - Agricultural Chemist (born in southwest Missouri)
Carver's research perfected the concept of "crop rotation" to maintain the quality of the soil. This led to increased peanut production and the development of new products, transforming Southern agriculture and creating an over half billion dollar industry. Carver was a local, born 60+ miles west of MSU in Diamond, Missouri, just southeast of Joplin. A short drive from campus will take you to his birthplace, established in 1943 as the George Washington Carver National Monument, a 210-acre complex with various interactive attractions dedicated to his life and achievements.
Muhammad al-Idrisi - Geographer and Cartographer
Born around 1100 A.D. in Morocco, Africa, al-Idrisi traveled extensively and created a silver planisphere showing the known world in the 12th century. He also created a "world map" that was divided into seven climate zones and ten lines of longitude.