Organic Seminar - Arkady Krasovskiy
Nov
13
2026
Description
The Organic Seminar Series presents: Arkady Krasovskiy
Dow
Student-hosted
Title: “That Should Not Work !”: Problem Solving in Organometallic Chemistry and Total Synthesis
Location: WEL 2.122
Refreshments served at 3:15pm
Scientific breakthroughs often begin by questioning an assumption that everyone else has accepted. This presentation will describe research conducted before my industrial career in organometallic chemistry, synthetic methodology and total synthesis.
The emphasis will not be only on what was discovered, but on how each solution was developed. Using several case studies, I will trace the reasoning from the original problem through hypothesis formation, experimental design, control experiments, unexpected observations, and final solution. The presentation will also discuss why problem-solving is among the most important abilities for students seeking research careers. Technical knowledge gets a scientist into the conversation, but the ability to define and solve unfamiliar problems is what makes that scientist valuable.