Vinayak P. Dravid is the Abraham Harris Chaired Professor of Materials Science & Engineering at Northwestern University. He is the founding director of the NUANCE Center and an NSF Center of Excellence, Soft and Hybrid Nanotechnology Experimental (SHyNE) Resource. Vinayak is one of the highest cited researchers in the field of nanotechnology, a winner of numerous awards and fellowships to professional societies and author of 520+journal publications and more than two dozen filed/issued patents. Several of his patents are licensed to commercial entities, including start-up companies. On a personal note, Vinayak is an avid chess fan with numerous personal contacts with GMs and world chess champions. One of his passions is to enhance the societal and global appreciation for science and technology, through the beauty, complexity and elegance of microscopy & materials science.