A Dialogue with Nobel Laureates: Transforming Scientific Breakthroughs into Real-World Solutions
Published: 10 Jan 2025
Group photo (from left to right): Dr Allison Si-Yu Chan, Research Fellow, NUS Cancer Science Institute of Singapore and Secretary, NUS Medicine Postdoctoral Association; Professor Sow Chorng Haur, Vice-Dean, (Outreach and Admissions), NUS Faculty of Science; Professor Chng Wee Joo, Vice President (Biomedical Sciences Research), NUS; Professor Chong Yap Seng, Dean, NUS Medicine; Professor Aaron Ciechanover, Nobel Prize in Chemistry (2004); Professor Sir Richard Roberts, Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (1993); Associate Professor Benjamin Tee, Vice-President, Ecosystem Building, NUS; Dr Pauline Erica Tay, Director, National Health Innovation Centre, Singapore; Professor Giorgia Pastorin, Head of Department, Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, NUS; Dr Alan Prem Kumar, Assistant Dean (Graduate Studies) and Director, Office of Postdoctoral Affairs, NUS Medicine; Professor Roger Foo Sik Yin, Vice-Dean (Research), NUS Medicine; Dr Maggie Hiu Yan Lam, Lead (Professional Advancement & Talent Development), Office of Postdoctoral Affairs, Dean’s Office and Research Fellow, Department of Pharmacology, NUS Medicine; Dr Deng Shuo, Senior Research Fellow, Department of Physiology, NUS Medicine and Treasurer, NUS Medicine Postdoctoral Association; Ms Isha Vilas Karnik, Graduate Student, NUS Medicine and President, NUS Medicine Graduate Students Society; Ms Feride Karatekin, Graduate Student, NUS Medicine and Scientific and Career Affairs Secretary, NUS Medicine Graduate Students Society.
The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs, Division of Graduate Studies at NUS Medicine, in collaboration with the Faculty of Science’s Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, were proud to co-host an inspiring event, “A Dialogue with Nobel Laureates: Transforming Scientific Breakthroughs into Real-World Solutions,” with the National Research Foundation, Singapore (NRF) and Global Young Scientists Summit 2025.
Held on 8 January 2025 at NUS Medicine MD1 LT37, this session brought together two Nobel laureates, Professor Sir Richard Roberts (Physiology or Medicine, 1993) and Professor Aaron Ciechanover (Chemistry, 2004), and NUS’s academic community, to discuss the practical applications of significant scientific discoveries. The event fostered a meaningful exchange between the laureates and the next generation of scientists, focusing on their career paths, the societal impact of their research, and their guidance for emerging researchers.
The day began with an exclusive lunch, fostering intimate and enriching interactions between the laureates and prominent NUS leaders, including Professor Chong Yap Seng, Dean, NUS Medicine;, Professor Chng Wee Joo, Vice-President (Biomedical Sciences Research), NUS; Associate Professor Benjamin Tee, Vice President Ecosystem Building, NUS;, Professor Sow Chorng Haur, Vice-Dean (Outreach and Admissions, NUS Faculty of Science;, and Professor Roger Foo Sik Yin, Vice-Dean (Research), NUS Medicine, among others. This unique lunch gathering offered a rare opportunity for NUS academics to engage with the laureates, gaining insights into the laureates’ personal experiences and perspectives on advancing impactful science.
Professor Chong Yap Seng, Dean of NUS Medicine delivering the opening address.
The main session was open to a broader audience, including students, postdoctoral fellows and faculty members from across Singapore. The program commenced with Professor Chong Yap Seng’s opening address, which set the stage by recounting the laureates’ monumental contributions to science. This was followed by thought-provoking presentations by distinguished speakers. Dr Pauline Erica Tay, Director, National Health Innovation Centre, Singapore, highlighted the Centre’s work in accelerating healthcare innovation. Ms Juliana Lim, Executive Director, Talent and Community, from SGInnovate, further discussed the critical role of nurturing a dynamic biotech ecosystem in Singapore. Associate Professor Benjamin Tee shared his journey within the vibrant NUS ecosystem, emphasizing the rapid growth and tremendous opportunities available for innovators and entrepreneurs in Singapore.
Dialogue session (from left to right): Professor Chng Wee Joo, Vice President, Biomedical Sciences Research, NUS; Professor Aaron Ciechanover, Nobel Prize in Chemistry (2004); Professor Sir Richard Roberts, Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (1993).
At the heart of the event was an intellectually stimulating dialogue, moderated by Professor Chng Wee Joo, that delved deep into the laureates’ personal narratives, uncovering the motivations behind their scientific pursuits and the real-world impact of their work. The discussion touched upon the strategic choices in selecting research projects and emphasized the role of perseverance and luck in achieving ground-breaking discoveries.
A central theme of the dialogue was the essential elements for success in scientific careers. Both laureates emphasized passion, curiosity, and the selection of meaningful research questions as foundational. They stressed the importance of mentorship in shaping a researcher’s path and underscored the need for resilience and perseverance, especially when facing unexpected results or challenges. The laureates also offered practical advice, urging students and post-docs to maintain a focus on fundamental research and to critically evaluate their work regardless of external critiques. This mindset, they argued, is crucial for making ground-breaking discoveries.
The Nobel laureates advocated for reforms in academic publishing and grant funding to prioritize scientific innovation over metrics-driven evaluation. Both laureates discussed the evolving landscape of scientific research, the integration of AI in science, and how it could potentially enhance future research along with a few things that could be improved upon. The session ended with personal anecdotes on how winning the Nobel Prize influenced their careers and continued passion for science.
Professor Chong Yap Seng (right) presenting the token of appreciations to Professor Sir Richard Roberts (middle) and Professor Aaron Ciechanover (left).
Professor Sow Chorng Haur, Vice-Dean (Outreach and Admissions), NUS Faculty of Science, delivering the closing remarks
The event concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks and the presentation of tokens of appreciation to the laureates, followed by a commemorative group photo. Professor Sow Chorng Haur provided the closing remarks, reflecting on the profound insights shared during the day and underscored the unique journeys of scientific professionals and the diverse paths to success, which continue to inspire generations of researchers.
By hosting such transformative events, NUS Medicine and NUS Faculty of Science reaffirm their unwavering commitment to advancing impactful scientific research and nurturing a culture of innovation and discovery. This event was not merely a celebration of scientific contributions but a call to action for the academic community to embrace the transformative power of science in addressing global challenges. The insights and inspirations imparted by the laureates will undoubtedly leave an indelible mark, igniting the next generation of pioneers at NUS Medicine and NUS Faculty of Science and beyond, while underscoring the two faculties’ mission to drive meaningful change through science.
