Koji Nakanishi believes in conventional values, like devotion to family and respect for authority. Yet, his career and life have been anything but conventional. In his autobiography, A Wandering Natural Products Chemist, Nakanishi describes himself as a "hybrid" who grew up in Europe, Egypt, and Japan and whose philosophy and behavior in life have been influenced by both Eastern and Western thought. A dedicated, world-renowned organic chemist with wide-ranging interests, Nakanishi is also an amateur magician who delights in mystifying his audience and likes "drinking in quiet bars with friends." Although he has spent the past 30 years primarily in the United States conducting research and teaching, Nakanishi has always maintained strong ties with his homeland.

In his autobiography, Nakanishi says that his wife accuses him of having too many professional interests instead of specializing. He also modestly asserts that he does not consider himself "brilliant." However, with the...