Dr Arfin Lodhi: A Physicist Par Excellence
By Dr Ahmed S. Khan
In academia many professors retire and become professor emeritus; but after working for half a century at Texas Technological University (TTU), Lubbock, Texas, Dr Muhammad Arfin Khan Lodhi,now in his 90s, continues to work as a research professor after retirement. Every day he jogs four miles in the morning and then goes to his work. Indeed, Dr Lodhi stands out as an inspirational example for the young generation to emulate.
Dr Lodhi has authored more than 250 research papers, and presented more than 200 talks at various conferences around the globe. He has authored four books:Lectures on Nuclear Physics (1973), Proceedings of International Symposium on Super-heavy Elements (1978), Super-heavy Elements (1979), and Islamic Attitudes and Practices in Science and Technology, (Editor, 1989).
Arfin Lodhi passed his matriculation examination (1948) and Intermediate of Science (1950) exams from St John's High School, Agra, British India. He completed his BSc Hons (1952), and MSc (1956) in Applied Mathematics, from University of Karachi, Pakistan. He obtained his DIC (1960) from Imperial College, University of London, UK, under the supervision of Professor Abdus Salam (1979 Nobel Laureate). The title of his thesis was "Representation of Rotation Group and Field Theory," and he went on to obtain his PhD Physics (1963) from the University of London, UK, under the supervision of Professor L. R. B. Elton; title of his thesis was "Nuclear Shell and Cluster Models with Special Reference to 6Li."
He served as a lecturer at the S.M. College, Karachi, Pakistan (1952-59), as an adjunct lecturer at NED Engineering College, Karachi (1959-63), as a research scholar at University of London (1960-63), as a Professor, Department of Physics, Texas Tech University (TTU), Lubbock, Texas (1964- present). Dr Lodhi has visited more than one hundred institutions around the globe for short-term appointments and talks.
To celebrate Dr. Lodhi’s fifty years of scholarship and service, Texas Technological University conducted a symposium titled “50 Years of Physics at Texas Tech.” The symposium took place on February 14, 2014, at the International Cultural Center on the Texas Technological University (TTU) campus. Commenting on Dr Lodhi’s contributions during his fifty year tenure at TTU, Professor Scully observed: “Dr Lodhi has published over 250 papers and 4 books; has received numerous awards which include the Al-Kharzmi Award, Tate and Hall Scholarship, Humboldt Fellowship, Fulbright Fellowship, NASA Faculty Fellow, and US Air Force Faculty Fellow. Dr Lodhi has also served as the UNDP expert several times during 1980s and 1990s and visited various universities in Pakistan on academic sabbaticals. Dr Lodhi has developed and taught courses in mathematics, astronomy and physics; conducted and taught workshops on special interest topics which include Nuclear and Particle Physics, New and Renewable Energy Sources, Space Science in particular, advanced space power generation and distribution in simulating and modeling AMTEC Cells, modeling trapped radiation thus predicting the most needed radiation (proton) flux at and between the solar maximum and minimum activities, and the space debris modeling.”
In his address, Dr Lodhi said that he was grateful for the recognition and thanked those who participated in the symposium. He said, “I really find no words to show my gratitude but express thanks from the core of my heart without the help of uttering words, Professors don’t retire — they phase out.” As the final thought of his presentation, Dr Lodhi concluded with a reference to the Holy Qur’an: “Thou seest not in the creation. Of the All-Merciful any imperfection. Return thy gaze; seest thou any fissure? Then return thy gaze again, and again, and thy gaze comes back to thee, dazzled, aweary” (The Koran Interpreted, 67:2-4, A. J. Arberry).
Dr Lodhi is not phasing out. After retirement, he continues to work as a research professor at TTU.Indeed, Dr Lodhi is a perpetual professor.
Dr Ahmed S. Khan conducted an interview with Dr M.A. K. Lodhi. The following is the complete script of the memorable interview.
Q: Where were you born, and where did you receive your primary and secondary education?
A: I was born in Agra, British India. I received my primary, middle and higher secondary education in Agra.
Q: What did your father do? When did you migrate to Pakistan? How many siblings do you have? In Pakistan where did you receive your higher education?
A: My father owned a shoe factory in Agra. Our family migrated to Pakistan in 1950,but my father stayed back to look after the business affairs, and finally he came to Pakistan in 1957. We are eleven siblings. After coming to Pakistan, my family moved to Hyderabad, Sindh, but I had to stay back in Karachi as there was no degree science college in Sindh, other than the D.J. Science College. After graduating from D.J. Science College, I received BSc Hons (Physics, Maths, English) and MSc (Mathematics) degrees from University of Karachi (old campus). Professor A.B Haleem was the vice chancellor of the University at that time.
Q: Where did you pursue your doctorate degree? And what were the topics of your dissertations? Who was your adviser?
A: In 1959, I went to England for higher education. I attended Imperial College, University of London. First, I completed post-graduate studies and received a DIC from Imperial College. I did research on the representation of rotation group and field theory under Dr Abdus Salam. Later in 1963, I received a PhD from University of London. I conducted research in the area of Nuclear Physics. The title of my thesis was Nuclear Shell and Cluster Models with special reference to 6Li.
Q: What is your area of specialization? What research activities have you conducted during the past five decades?
A: My area of specialization is Nuclear Physics. During the past fifty years I have worked on various research projects at Oakridge National Labs, Los Alamos Labs, Air Force and NASA. I have authored more than 250 publications including review and research papers.
Q: How did you get a job at Texas Tech?
A: At the end of completing my doctorate I wrote an application for a faculty position, on an aerogram, to the Department of Physics, Texas Tech University(TTU, its name was Texas Technological College then), and I received a positive response. I joined TTU in 1964.
Q: When you arrived in Texas, did you experience any cultural shock? Would you like to share any experiences regarding adjusting to a new culture?
A: Well, coming from England the language was the same, English. But there were differences in accent and nomenclature. I was surprised to find the “Restooms” are not intended for resting. In England there were no restrooms. Similarly, there are many other examples of nomenclature where deliberate attempts have been made to distinguish US English from the British; these are very noticeable as one moves from the East to the West or from North to the South.
Q: Did you experience any challenges in adjusting from the British education system to the American education system? How do you compare the British and American education systems?
A: Not at all. As far as the differences are concerned, I believe that at the undergraduate level, the British or European degree programs are very rugged. And at the graduate level, the American degree programs are very strong and very comprehensive in laying down the foundations for research.
Q: Based on your long career as a physicist, how would you characterize the evolution of Physics during the past fifty years? What are the new challenges? What are the new frontiers?
• A: Fifty years ago, the emphasis in Physics was on the structure of the nucleus in terms of protons and neutrons. Nowadays, the focus is on discovering the nature of subatomic particles like elementary and composite. Quarks and String Theory are opening the new frontiers in Physics.
Q: What steps are needed to enhance the higher education system in Pakistan?
A: The unchecked mushrooming of unregulated, non-accredited, for-profit private education institutions have attenuated the standards of higher education in Pakistan. Nowadays, such institutions are selling business and IT degrees. There is no emphasis on science education. In order to bring Pakistan’s higher education system at par with the developed world, two things are very important: first, the world-class academic leaders and researchers, and second the institutions. You need top academic leaders and researchers who can stay in Pakistan and motivate young people and groom researchers. They need to establish institutions where world class research could be conducted. I believe that had Professor Abdus Salam gone back to Pakistan, he would have created a world-class research institution. Policy makers ought to pay attention to building world-class institutions.
Q: Many scientists believe that there exists a conflict between religion and science. What are your views in this regard?
A: In religion there is a fundamental postulate you do not question, it is eternal, whereas in science the postulates can be challenged and changed over time. Science and religion reveal the truth but in different domains. Science deals with observations, postulates and theories of material realm. Whereas religion deals with spiritual domain also as well as one’s belief. Science and religion are two different domains. The two should not be mixed. In science the postulate and theory can be tested via experimentation, but in religion scientific method of experimentation has no validity. In experimentation, the use of the right tool is very important, a sensor designed to detect matter can only detect matter and can work in material realm and not in the spiritual realm.
In the Medieval Age, the Muslim scientists excelled in scientific discoveries and yet they had strong faith in their religion; they were good practicing Muslims. During and after the renaissance, many European scientists were atheists or secular, thus this debate of conflict between science and religion started, and this has influenced the new generations of scientists during the past couple of hundred years.
Q: What needs to be done to revive Ijtehad?
A: Presently, I think that many Muslims scholars are doing just superficial work in this regard. They need to have a strong foundation of religion as well as of science and technology to do anything meaningful. They need to know the mechanics of research too.
Q: What do you do in your spare time? What sports do you play?
A: I don’t have any spare time, however, I skied, I swimmed, and played tennis, chess, and bridge. Now I jog for four miles.
Q: How many children do you have? Does any one of them follow you in the path of Physics?
A: I have three daughters; none of them have pursued careers in Physics, they are all physicians.
Q: Who is your favorite poet? Would you like to share some excerpts of poetry?
A: Iqbal is my favorite poet, his Shikwa, and Jawab-e-Shikwa are still representing the plight of Umma of today, perhaps even more so (than before).
Q: What are your plans after retirement?
A: Actually, I am not retiring, just changing phase; I will focus my energies on research. I will continue to work as a research professor.
Q: What advice would you give to a young person considering a career in Physics?
A: One has to work hard and to get any breakthroughs in research, one should be dedicated, and ready to invest a good deal of time in conducting research.
(Dr. Ahmed S. Khan (dr.a.s.khan@ieee.org) is a Fulbright Specialist Scholar - 2017-2021)
