My Decision to leave Ceylon in 1981-by Sachi Sri Kantha
Source:Thuppahis
Sachi examining a winged bean pod in 1981
Prelude
Willingly, I opt to use the ‘Ceylon’ word, because I was born in the blessed island Ceylon in May 1953. The place of my birth was Chilaw, solely for the reason it was the then work location of my father Sachithanantham, then employed as a clerk in the hospital services of the Department of Health. He was 30, but my mother was only 17. My parents are from Point Pedro, and it was an arranged marriage among the kin in Point Pedro’s adjacent regions.
From 1961 to 1971, I had primary and secondly schooling at the Colombo Hindu College (Bambalapitiya, Ratmalana) and Aquinas University College. I entered the University of Sri Lanka (Colombo Campus) in January 1972, at the age of 18 years and 8 months. This entry was delayed by months, due to the JVP insurrection in April 1971. Ceylon was re-named as Sri Lanka in May 1972.
I graduated with a B.Sc (Special) degree in April 1976, with an ‘Ordinary Pass’ degree. Among a group of 8, I was bottom in the totem pole, ranked between 6 and 8. Among my batch mates, there was one First Class holder, two Second Class (Upper) holders and two Second Class (Lower) holders. And I was one among the three, to receive ‘Ordinary Pass’ grade.
Of course, I was determined to become a scientist; but my sub-par performance in the first degree necessitated to earn a Masters degree within the island. Then, plan for PhD studies in either UK, USA or Canada. This became my immediate aim in 1977. Thus, I moved to Peradeniya, to earn a ‘quickie’ Masters degree (by course work) at the newly established Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture in one year. I was in the second batch to graduate, with a degree in Agricultural biology. Then, fortune smiled at me, when I was hired by Prof. Thomas (Tommy) W. Wikramanayake (1918-2008), as a temporary assistant lecture in biochemistry, at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, from March 1978. This temporary position was extended annually in 1979 and 1980. Prof. Wikramanayake was on the verge of retirement, and planning his move to Ruhuna, to set up the medical faculty there.
Two vital traits of my character, which I picked up during my teenage years, were, (1) regular record keeping by writing diaries. This I maintained from 1970 to 1986, till I got married in January 1987. This helped me now, to answer why I opted to leave Ceylon and for what reasons. (2) a sort-of rebellious trait, that I attribute to being an avid fan of boxing champ Muhammad Ali and his ‘poke in your face’ verses ‘I don’t have to be what you want me to be; I’m free to be, what I want’.
Why I decided to leave Ceylon and for What reasons?
For four years (1978–81), I faced 9 unsuccessful interviews for permanent assistant lecturer in biochemistry positions at the Universities of Colombo and University of Peradeniya as well as for zoology and biochemistry positions at the University of Jaffna. Eventually, in April 1981, I was successful in my 10th attempt at the University of Jaffna, as an assistant lecturer in biochemistry. Simultaneously, I also received a graduate research assistantship with a good stipend at the University of Illinois. I attempted to negotiate terms for my release with the University of Jaffna administration, but it was unsuccessful. So, I opted to leave for USA in August 1981, rather than moving to Jaffna.
After 45 years, as anthropological snippets, I provide select entries from my diary pages from 1979 to 1981. I have recorded my failures, in my attempts at job search. The names of academics mentioned in these entries offer a montage of ‘movers and shakers’ affiliated with the universities in Colombo, Peradeniya and Jaffna during that period.
1979
Mar 22 (Thr): Kanthie Karalliedde (a fellow assistant lecturer with MBBS degree, at the department) told me that she had received a letter for interview permanent position in biochemistry, will be held on 27th. My letter would have gone to Colombo – my permanent address.
Mar 27 (Tue): went to the Senate building at 9:45 am. Interview for the biochemistry assistant lecturer position began at 10.00. Altogether, there were 7 interviewees, including me. 5 Sinhalese and 2 Tamils. Kamalie (a Chemistry Special degree girl), and me are the two Tamils. Interviewees were called in alphabetical order. I was the last to go. Compared to others who went before me, they kept me longer. Those are the selection team were, Prof. Wikramanayake, Prof. B. Panditharatne (Vice Chancellor), Prof R.G. Panabokke (Dean, Faculty of Medicine), Dean (Faculty of Science), and two more whom I cannot identify. When Professor returned to his room, I asked about the results. His response: ‘They didn’t select anyone. We are going to re-advertise the post again.’ At the universities, this is my 4th rejection. Previous three were,
- Research assistant in Parasitology – Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo in 1976.
- Assistant lecturer in zoology – Faculty of Science, University of Jaffna in Feb 1978
- Assistant lecturer in zoology – Faculty of Science, University of Jaffna in Jun 1978
May 25 (Fri): received a rejection letter from the Registrar, University of Colombo, in response to my application for the assistant lecturer in biochemistry position. It stated, ‘I write with reference to your application for the above post and wish to inform you that the post has been filled.’
1980
Jan 15 (Tue): completed Assistant Lecturer in biochemistry position application to the University of Jaffna.
Jan 24 (Thr): asked Prof Wikramanayake about applying for the University of Jaffna position. He responded: ‘Yes! Yes! Try your best to get into a permanent post’.
Mar 12 (Wed): Morning 7:45. Met Dr. S.V. Parameswaran from University of Jaffna. He mentioned, ‘tomorrow morning 9:30, interview for assistant lecturer position will be held in Jaffna.’ I replied, I haven’t received any such information.
Apr 15 (Tue): In the afternoon, Prof. asked me, ‘I say, what happened to your Jaffna post?’ I replied, ‘Still I haven’t heard anything from them.’
Farewell function for Profssor Wikramanayake
Apr 16 (Wed): Prof. Wikramanayake retires from his position as the Head of Department, from today.
Apr 24 (Thr): On my way to the Main Library, met Dr Parameswaran. As he was the one who told me about the University of Jaffna interview, I told him ‘I was not called for the interview.’ He replied, ‘For the biochemistry lecturer position, they had selected the daughter of M. Sivasithamparam, MP’.
July 21 (Wed): applied for the 2nd time, for the assistant lecturer in biochemistry position, at the University of Peradeniya. Closing date Aug 1st.
July 26 (Mon): On 24th, they had advertised for the assistant lecturer in biochemistry position, at University of Jaffna.
Aug 7 (Thr): sent my application for the assistant lecturer in biochemistry (University of Jaffna) for the 3rd time. Closing date Aug 14th.
Aug 17 (Sun): met Prof Wikramanayake at the post office. He told me ‘They had for reference, for the assistant lecturer in biochemistry position I’d applied at University of Colombo.
Aug 18 (Mon): Sister called me from Colombo, to inform that the interview for the assistant lecturer in biochemistry (University of Colombo) is fixed for Aug. 22 (Fri) afternoon 2;15. I told her, I’ll return to Colombo on previous Thr. Night.
Aug 21 (Thr): Sister called me from Colombo to inform that the interview scheduled for tomorrow is postponed to Aug 27 (Wed). So, I also postponed my travel to Colombo.
Aug 24 (Sun) Father told me, not to face the interview for the University of Colombo position of assistant lecturer in biochemistry. Mother and sister suggested, ‘why not come and try your luck?’ So, opted to face the Colombo interview.
Aug 27 (Wed): I was at the College House, to face the assistant lecturer in biochemistry position (University of Colombo). Including me, there were altogether 9 candidates. Apart from me, there were 2 men. It seems to me, I was the only Tamil candidate. At the assembled selection committee, I could recognize Prof. Stanley Wijesundara (Vice Chancellor), Prof S.R. Kottegoda (Dean, Faculty of Medicine), Prof. K. Balasubramaniam (dept of Biochemistry), Prof. Carlo Fonseka (dept of Physiology), Prof. R.S. Ramakrishna (dept of Chemistry) and two more, whom I couldn’t recognize. Prof Wijesundara asked me first: ‘I thought that you are happy in Peradeniya’. The interview duration was ~ 15 minutes.
Sept 1 (Mon): Received a phone call from sister. She told the news that, I was not selected for the University of Colombo assistant lecturer position, as Prof. Balasubramaniam had informed my father.
Oct 17 (Fri): Had received an invitation for interview for the assistant lecturer in biochemistry position (University of Peradeniya). Prof P.A.J. Perera (new Head of the Department) didn’t tell me anything about this. Mm! I’ll better try.
Oct 22 (Wed): Interview for the permanent assistant lecturer biochemistry position (University of Peradeniya) held at the Vice Chancellor’s office. Including me, there were 9 candidates. Among whom, there were two more Tamil candidates. Interviewees were called in alphabetical order, beginning from 9:00 am. I was called in ~10:10 am. I was out of the room by 10:25 am. At the selection board, there were Bernard Panditharatne (Vice Chancellor), Prof. Ralph G. Panabokke (Dean, Faculty of Medicine), Dean – Faculty of Science, Prof. S.N. Arsekularatne (dept of Microbiology), Prof P.A.J. Perera (dept of Biochemistry) and two more guys whom I couldn’t recognize. This is the 2nd interview I faced at the University of Peradeniya for the same position, after working for 2 years and 6 months at the department.
In the afternoon, Prof Perera called me. His first quip was, ‘So, what are you going to do?’ I could know the result instantly. I was not selected.
Dec 4 (Thr): Sister called me from Colombo to inform, that they had called for assistant lecturer in biochemistry position at the University of Jaffna.
Dec 19 (Fri): I had sent my application [already] for three times to the assistant lecturer in biochemistry position, at University of Jaffna. This will be the first time, after I had received the M. Sc degree in biochemistry (University of Peradeniya). Application closes on Dec 22, 1980. It appears, probably they will call for interview after Jan 1981.
1981
Jan 20 (Fri): boarded Podi Menike train, that started from Kandy at 7:30 pm. When I reached home (in Colombo), late night around 12:15am, I found a letter from the University of Jaffna, calling me for the interview for the assistant lecturer position in biochemistry.
Feb 1 (Sun): In the morning, visited Prof Balasubramaniam at his home in Nugegoda. He advised me to go and face the interview of University of Jaffna. He told that, this time, I’m having a good chance of getting selected, and this chance may not come every time. I also agreed.
Feb 5 (Thr): boarded morning ‘Yal Devi’ train from Colombo Fort at 5:45 am. Now the ticket from Colombo to Jaffna costs Rs. 35.70. Reached Jaffna by 2:10 pm.
Feb 6 (Fri): I was at the Senate room of the University of Jaffna, by 9:00 am. This is the second time I had come to Jaffna to face an interview. There were 4 others, with Chemistry (Special) degree and Kuganadan with B.V.Sc and M.Sc degree (London). I was called in around 10:30 am. Prof. A.A. Hoover (head, Department of Biochemistry), Dr. V. Parameswaran (dept of Physiology), Prof. S. Vithiananthan (Vice Chancellor), S. Ambigaipakan (ex-Principal) were the individuals I was able to recognize in the selection board. They didn’t question much on my experience. But they were insisting on my possession of the originals of my M. Sc certificates.
Apr 2 (Thr): received a telegram in the morning, from Jaffna. “Appointed Asst Lecturer in Biochemistry. Please report on 1/4/81. Vice Chancellor.” I couldn’t check the authenticity of the message, since yesterday was the April Fool’s day.
Apr 10 (Fri): From Kandy, Colombo bound bus started off at 6:00 pm. Reached home by 10:00 pm. Amma told that today only the appointment letter from the Vice Chancellor of Jaffna had arrived. So, the earlier telegram had been proved to be a true one.
Apr 14 (Tue): went to Havelock Town post office and posted 3 registered letters to (1) Vice Chancellor, Jaffna University, (2) The Head/Dept of Biochemistry, (3) The Bursar, Jaffna University, explaining my position towards the acceptance of the post of assistant lecturer. I had informed that I can assume duties around June 1st, 1981.
Apr 15 (Wed): discussed with Dr Senerath Dissanaike [senior colleague, at the Dept of Biochemistry] about my Univ. of Jaffna appointment. He said, that now being appointed, I have the ‘cards’ to play, requesting the administration to give me paid leave for my studies abroad, or release me. He advised to use the term ‘release’, which no one knows to define clearly.
Apr 18 (Sat): Dr Kumar Eliezer [Dept of Botany, University of Colombo] visited home. I informed him that I had been selected for biochemistry position, at the University of Jaffna. He was happy about it. When asked, how can I get release from the department, he suggested that now it’s my turn to play the ‘cards’. As I have an offer [with graduate stipends, from an American university], I can really negotiate the terms.
Where (the country) I moved to and for What reasons?
Eventually, such a negotiation of terms with Prof. Vithiananthan (Vice Chancellor of University of Jaffna) failed. He wanted me to assume duties at the earliest possible date in Jaffna. So, I decided to leave for USA. Reasons being, (1) since graduating in 1976, for four years I had worked at the Universities in Colombo and Peradeniya. I had contributed my service for the free education received. (2) about to complete 27 years, I was itching for a PhD degree and wanted to see the world beyond the Sri Lankan boundaries, and didn’t wish to miss the opportunity served in my hands.
Prof. John W. Erdman Jr. (at the Dept of Food Science, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign) offered me an annual graduate research assistantship stipend, then amounting to ~US $6,013/ annum in the first year. The official letter from Ms Lydia Salonga, Assistant Director for International Admissions, dated Apr 29, 1981, stated the following:
“Dear Mr Sri Kantha:
We are pleased to inform you that you have been admitted the Graduate College, Food Science curriculum for the Fall 1981 semester.
You are requested to report to the Office of International Student^Staff Affairs, Room 331 Student Services Building, 610 East John Street in Champaign on or before the date indicated below. Please take this letter and your passport with you when you report to that office.
We commend you on your previous academic achievements and welcome you to the Urbana-Champaign campus of the University of Illinois. This letter serves as the official notification of your admission.
- Reporting date: Aug. 17, 1981
- Registration: Aug 24-25, 1981
Assistantship of $6,013, from Aug 21, 1981 until Aug 20, 1982. Assistantship includes tuition & fees waiver (value = $3341/2 semesters & summer session); renewable.”
Pertinent diary entries of June and July 1981 are noted below.
June 15 (Mon): dropped in at Thomas Cooks office (Fort); met Miss Gunatilleke. She checked the air fare from Colombo to Chicago, and told me that it’ll cost about Rs 19,297.00. [This was the rate for trans-Atlantic route.]
Then, went to US embassy office; handed over the completed visa application form. I was interviewed informally by the Consular officer, and visa was issued. Surprisingly, they haven’t specified anything about medical examination.
June 21 (Sun): Met Mr Satkunam at no.107, High Street, Wellawatte. He, being an agent for Thai airlines, gave an estimate for airfare for Colombo-Chicago flight as Rs. 13,490.00; via Bangkok and Tokyo. [To reach Univ of Illinois campus, from Chicago by flight] altogether, the sum will be ~Rs 15,000.00. I opted for this route.
June 22 (Mon): dropped at US embassy to double-check whether medical exam is necessary. The lady at Consular section informed me, it is not.
July 27 (Mon): Mr. Satkunam came home around 9:45 am and with him went to Thai airlines office to collect my air ticket. The total cost from Colombo to Champaign (Univ. of Illinois airport) was Rs 15,662. Then, we went to Kayline Travels Ltd. at Chatham Street to collect traveler’s cheques. Paid Rs. 9625.00 plus 1% 96.00 – a total of Rs 9721.00, as exchange for US dollars 500. Today’s dollar rate is Rs 19.25 = 1 dollar.
July 31 (Fri): My last day at the department of Biochemistry, Peradeniya. I gave a farewell ‘tea’ to the department’s academic and non-academic staff at our canteen, around 10:30 am. In return, the department staff gave me a farewell ‘tea’ at the canteen around 3:30 pm. Dr R. Sivakanesan organized these. Prof. P.A.J. Perera delivered the farewell pep talk; and in return I thanked all those working in the department for their help and assistance [for little over 3 years].
I left the island on Aug. 5, 1981 and traveled to Chicago crossing the Pacific Ocean. Then, Thai Airlines offered a promotional campaign fare of US$ 750 (one way route), via stop overs in Bangkok (1st night), Tokyo (2nd night) and Seattle (West coast of USA). Hotel stays and meals were paid in the ticket price. Then, from Seattle to Chicago and landed at the University of Illinois in Aug 8.
For the first two years, my research at the university was supported by International Council for Development of Underutilized Plants (Orinda, California). $7,000 grant for 1982, and $8,030 grant for 1983. After completing a MS degree, I was intending to return to Sri Lanka. But the July 1983 anti-Tamil riots made me to think more about my survival. My parents and sister, who were in Colombo and suffered the anguish (though luckily not hurt physically) advised me against my return to the island. I had to look for additional research funding to continue for PhD. Though I had lost a copy of my funding request letter sent to the Nestle Foundation (Lausanne, Switzerland), still I retain a letter received from Dr. Beat Schurch (Director, Nestle Foundation), dated Aug 2, 1983. Excerpts of this letter, I reproduce below:
“Dear Mr Sri Kantha,
Thank you very much for your letter of July 24 concerning your application for a study grant…
Let me emphasize again that our study grant for 1984/85 will be awarded on a competitive basis, and that we usually receive a fairly large number of applications from well qualified candidates. This means that, at this point of time, I cannot give you any guarantee that this scholarship will be awarded to you…”
Then, on January 18, 1984, I heard from Dr Schurch again. Lady Luck had smiled at me at the appropriate moment. Excerpts of this letter, I reproduce below:
“Dear Mr Sri Kantha,
I have the pleasure of informing you that we have decided to award you a scholarship of US$15,000 – which should enable you to complete the research for your PhD degree in Food Science and Nutrition at the University of Illinois…”
I was one of the six chosen internationally for the Nestle Foundation study grants in 1984, and only one of three from Asia. Other five fellow awardees were,
Dr Negue Barry, from Guinea
Dr A.K.M. Aminullah Bhuiyan from Bangladesh
Ms Edith D. Padilla from Philippines
Dr Raimazani Elonga Saidi from Zaire
Ms Laurence Villard from Switzerland.
One stipulation of the Nestle Foundation research grant was that I should return to my home country, rather than staying in USA. My advisor also felt that I should abide by this. In 1985, my sister had got married to a medical doctor. Considering the unsettled logistics faced by Tamils in the aftermath of 1983, my parents also advised me not to return to the island. My attempts to find academic jobs/research opportunities in a few African nations and Asian countries (Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand) turned out to be futile. Thus, after completing my PhD in December 1985, I opted to move to Tokyo, Japan, in January 1986. This was the only opening I had then.
Eventual Country of my Choice and The Big Cities
A Ministry of Education (Monbusho) fellowship for three years, arranged by Prof. Kanehisa Hashimoto (then, Prof of Marine Biochemistry, University of Tokyo) for me, facilitated my first postdoctoral position at the University of Tokyo.
I visited Sri Lanka in November 1986, and while visiting Jaffna, my former professor K. Balasubramaniam (then the Head of Dept. of Biochemistry, University of Jaffna) invited me for the lecturer position under him. Though tempted by this kindly offer, when I was 33 and single, already I had made my objectives for professional and personal reasons, to ‘search for my fortunes’ in Japan. I wished to establish my career and compete at an ‘oceanic grade’ stage rather than being a ‘big frog in the well’ grade. Against the wishes of my parents and sister, I got married to Saki Endo (my Japanese pen-pal of four years) in January 1987. Now, 38 years had passed by, and we are still together, blessed with two daughters Sachiko and Sangita, who in turn had blessed us with three lovely grandsons Kei, Akira and Kou.
By my choice of opting to get married in Tokyo to a Japanese in 1987, it may not be wrong, if I reminisce now that I might have escaped the fate of Dr. Kathamuthu Visvaranjan, that befell my high school friend from Royal College. He was serving at the Jaffna Hospital during that time. During my November 1986 visit, I did see him casually at the hospital. He was not even a known Tamil activist. I heard from my brother -in-law (who was also working at the Jaffna Hospital, simultaneously) that Visvaranjan was shot and killed at point blank range near Palaly Army Base by a soldier. Briefly, I wrote about this incident in my letter to the Asiaweek (Hongkong) in July 5, 1987.
I cannot say definitely whether my choice of staying Japan had been an apt choice. But, considering the alternate options, I was faced with, it was a life-saving opportunity. Naturally, I faced promotional barriers in my work places, discrimination based on my nationality, and skin color. Nevertheless, until I was “asked to retire” in 2016 (two years ahead of my allotted time for reaching 65), I remained a Sri Lankan citizen, carrying the Sri Lankan passport with its many demerits for international professional, since 1983. On top of it, during the tenure of Lakshman Kadirgamar’s period as the Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka, my name passed into the ‘No Fly List’ maintained by the US State Department. I faced its disturbing consequences, at the Rome airport in Aug 2004, when I traveled to participate at the 20th International Congress of Primatology, held in Turin. Though married to a Japanese native, still I adamantly retained my Sri Lankan citizen for native pride, suffering all humiliation. For 10 years, I avoided international travel, till 2015. However, for meager retirement benefits, I chose the option of becoming a Japanese citizen from December 2016.
While in Japan, my work locations had changed from Tokyo (mega city), Osaka (mega city), Fukuroi city (comparatively small) and Gifu city (relatively big). During my second postdoctoral period, I had lived in Philadelphia (a mega city) for two years from 1989 and 1990. The primary reason I opted to settle down in Japan in 1991, was I use public transportation, which is very efficient and punctual. I never learnt to drive – One may call it, an archaic Gandhian pledge to self for frugality. I lived in Sri Lanka for my first 28 years. Then, 6.5 years I had lived in USA. So, Japan has been my only choice, for over 37.5 years. After retiring from Gifu University in 2018, I moved to Tokyo to be with the family of our elder daughter, and have been living in Tokyo.
Despite the demerits I had faced living in Japan, in the twilight of my career I enjoy the pleasure in gaining relative respect among my academic peers for my 190 research publications (including 3 reference books in science) in diverse themes – nutrition, primatology, humor studies and history of science/medicine. Assertions need specific verifiable citations. For the interested few, at the end I provide a select listing of notices which relates to my publications in international journals. No named awards received and no grand recognition for life achievements. I’m fine with this. Let Time be the ultimate arbiter for my writings.
Health-wise, I’m relatively lucky in choosing to live in Japan. In 2008, when I was 55, I suffered a mini-stroke. Considering the odds of a Ceylon-born male baby with a life expectancy of 58 years in 1953, the mini-stroke I suffered was within the range of my expected life span in 1953. Now that, I have lived for 72 years, I’m ever thankful to the health care professionals and facilities, as well as my family members in Japan.
A few lines, about my immediate family. My sister’s family emigrated to New Zealand in 1994, and have been living there as New Zealand citizens. My parents also emigrated to New Zealand, to join my sister, in late 1998. My father died in 2003, at the age of 80, still retaining Sri Lankan citizenship. My mother died in 2024, at the age of 87, after becoming a New Zealand citizenship.
Coda
As for wisdom of age and reflection, I’d say Prof. Tommy Wikramanayake acted as a spur to my future creativity. I wouldn’t say, he was one of my mentors First, Prof. Wikramanayake gave me a badly needed opportunity at the badly needed moment, by hiring me as a temporary assistant lecturer at the Department of Biochemistry and extending this appointment for 2.5 years. My academic credentials at that time, were sub-par for such a hiring, even at a lowest pecking order. I guess, probably he might have received favorable references from Prof. Stanley Wijesundara and Prof. K. Balasubramaniam – my University of Colombo biochemistry teachers. Secondly, Prof. Wikramanayake behaved so gentlemanly, even when I submitted research presentations at the annual Sri Lankan Association for the Advancement of Science sessions, on themes which were in sociology and linguistics that were beyond biochemistry, without his prior permission. He never pulled my ears for my inquisitiveness. But, he did read my opinionated contributions to popular press, and an item or two that appeared about me; and let other senior faculty know about these with his peculiar sense of humor.
If not for that life-belt thrown to me by Prof. Wikramanayake in March 1978, my future path to leave Sri Lanka and make a career as a scientist in USA and Japan would have become bleak.
Miscellaneous Notices on Sachi’s Publications/Presentations – A Select List
Anon: Student’s Foster receive awards at IFT annual meeting. Food Technology (Chicago), Aug 1985, pp. 170-171.
Press digest: An overlooked Nobel laureate. Current Contents (Philadelphia), Aug 12, 1991; 34(32): p.7.
Press digest: A bibliography of literature on prostitution. Current Contents (Philadelphia), Apr 6, 1992; 35(14): pp 7-8.
Marsh Tenney S. Notes – Kilo Base Goliaths. News in Physiological Sciences, Aug 1993; 8: p. 187.
Reese KM. Newsscripts. Insects lose identity. Chemical & Engineering News (Wasington DC), Apr 17, 1995, p. 64.
Reese KM. Newsscripts. Nobel and nitroglycerine. Chemical & Engineering News (Washington DC), May 4, 1998, p. 88.
Reese KM. Newscripts. Eminent centenarian scientists multiplying. Chemical & Engineering News (Washington DC), Aug 2, 1999, p. 64.
Reese KM. Newscripts. Centenarian scientists are multiplying regularly. Chemical & Engineering News (Washington DC), Apr 10, 2000, p. 80.
Reese KM. Newscripts. Old scientists form new cluster. Chemical & Engineering News (Washington DC), Apr 22, 2002, p. 51.
Susan Milius. Poop is on the menu for a surprising number of animals. Science News Explores (Washington DC), Feb 12, 2025.
