FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Nobel Laureate Dr. Ei-ichi Negishi to Speak in Indianapolis
INDIANAPOLIS (February 3, 2011) – Dr. Ei-ichi Negishi, Winner of the 2010 Nobel Prize inChemistry, will speak on Tuesday, February 22, at a dinner presented by the Japan-America
Society of Indiana (JASI) and the Indiana Japan Chamber at the Hyatt Regency Indianapolis.
Dr. Negishi, Herbert C. Brown Distinguished Professor of Chemistry at Purdue University, waspresented with the Nobel Prize for the development of metal-based reactions called palladiumcatalyzed cross-coupling. It is estimated that more than 25 percent of all chemical production in
the pharmaceutical industry relies on these reactions, and there are important applications in
the electronics industry as well.
(Source: http://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/faculty/2010/101210NegishiNobel.html).
The JASI program on February 22nd will begin with a reception from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. followedby dinner and a speaker program at 7:00 p.m.
Dinner sponsors include: Eli Lilly and Company, Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Duke Energy
Indiana, EnerDel, Enkei America, Honda Manufacturing of Indiana, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries,
NTN Driveshaft, PNC Bank, Samex Capital Advisors, TOA (USA), Toyota Industrial Equipment
Manufacturing, and Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana.
Detailed information and online registration for the Dr. Negishi Dinner are available on the JASI
website at www.japanindiana.org.
Dr. Negishi and other laureates received the Nobel medals at the awards ceremony inStockholm, Sweden, on December 10, 2010. He shared the prize with Richard Heck, anemeritus professor of the University of Delaware in Newark, and Akira Suzuki, an emeritus
professor of Hokkaido University in Sapporo, Japan.
Purdue University President France Cordova said in an earlier release: “Dr. Negishi further
distinguished himself before a global audience as an articulate and optimistic spokesperson forscience; he has voiced the hope that scientific discoveries can address some of the world’s
greatest challenges, like food production, safety, and security, as well as cheaper energyproduction.”“Receiving a Nobel Prize is the ultimate recognition for a lifetime spent questioning, exploring,experimenting; passing through the valleys of anguish to climb the mountains of success,” Dr.
Negishi said. “The final reward for any researcher is to see his or her lifetime of work extend
beyond academia and laboratories, into the mainstream of our global society where it canbreathe hope into the world.”
The Honorable George Hisaeda, Consul General of Japan at Chicago, will speak and recognize
Dr. Negishi at the dinner. Dr. Negishi was also awarded the 2010 Order of Culture, Japan’shighest distinction, from His Majesty the Emperor. “The award is one of Japan’s mostprestigious honors. Japanese people around the world are delighted and extremely proud of Dr.
Negishi and his achievement,” said Consul General Hisaeda.
Sony Corporation has appointed Professor Negishi as Executive Research Advisor for researchand development in the field of materials and devices, specifically in the area of organicelectronics. Purdue recently announced the creation of the Negishi-Brown Institute at theuniversity, which will focus on catalytic organometallic chemistry. Dr. Negishi will serve as theInstitute's inaugural Director.

Prof. Negishi recently released a book in Japan, “Keep Dreaming” (Yume Wo Mochi Tsuzukeyo),encouraging younger generations of Japanese to pursue their goals, published by Kyodo NewsService.
“Since receiving the Nobel Prize, Dr. Negishi has become a media star, known for his warmth,
excellent English-speaking ability, and inspirational message,” says Theresa Kulczak, Executive
Director, Japan-America Society of Indiana. “He was featured singing karaoke on a nationallyprominent Japanese television program and was covered in Japan’s Weekly Golf Digest. His
family has shared with us that he’s a black-diamond skier.”“My father-in-law is so well-rounded and really enjoys life; he’s a great guy. Not at all the imageof a typical chemistry professor,” said Greg East of Carmel, who is married to Dr. Negishi’sdaughter, Charlotte East.
“Dr. Negishi has an extensive travel schedule that takes him all over the world in the comingmonths. With his extremely limited availability, we are honored to be able to feature him at ourdinner so soon after receiving the Nobel,” said Kulczak. “Our corporate sponsors have madepossible this wonderful opportunity and we’re hopeful that the public will take advantage of thisgreat occasion to hear Dr. Negishi speak.”Dr. Negishi is a Japanese national and first moved to the United States in 1960. His wife,
Sumire Negishi, has been a Japanese family consultant for Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc.,
since the company opened in 1987.
High resolution photos of Dr. Negishi available at
http://www.chem.purdue.edu/negishi/default.asp
About the Japan-America Society of Indiana
The Japan-America Society of Indiana (JASI) is a not-for-profit cultural and educational organization
whose mission is to serve as a bridge of friendship and cooperation between the people of Indiana andJapan. The Society is supported by a diverse membership of businesses, economic development
agencies, educational institutions, families and individuals. Founded in 1988, membership in the Society
includes over 1500 individual and corporate representatives located throughout the state. Theorganization cooperates with the Consulate General of Japan, the State of Indiana, communities,businesses, and cultural and educational institutions to promote interaction, cultural understanding,and economic partnerships.

Japan-America Society of Indiana
Union Station
39 W. Jackson Place, Suite 50
Indianapolis, Indiana 46225(317) 635-0123
www.japanindiana.org
CONTACT:

Theresa Kulczak, Executive Director
email: Theresa.kulczak@japanindiana.org
office: (317) 635-0123
mobile: (317) 409-6771