Comments from participants...

>Home  >Back  >Next 

Sitting face to face with the Nobel laureates gave me a sense of encouragement. The laureates were down to earth people who were quite encouraging as to my future scientific career. The best advice I received was to love what I was doing and focus on the science.

Discussions about the meeting with other people helped in allowing me to know what level of expertise others in the scientific community expect. The international travel experience was also a great experience.  It will definitely make me less hesitant to attend other international meetings. 

Back to List

The most valuable lecture was "How to Start a Scientific Business" by Dr. Giaever because it was something I hadn't heard before. Most laureates gave talks on their current work, but this was more instructive -- giving advice instead of presenting material.

Steinberger's discussion was the most valuable because of his discussion of neutrino masses.  I learned some of the more common views concerning the existence of neutrino masses held by people not working in the field.

I met many interesting people, both American and from other countries. Hopefully, some day in the future, I will have a chance to work more closely with these people. I think it was a very good chance to start the foundation for a network of my peers. 

Back to List

I think that it is important to learn something about the many different branches of physics and so it was highly instructional for me to hear lectures on things that I don’t know very much about like plasma physics or biological physics. The lectures that contained notions that many found to be far-fetched, were especially interesting as they support the premise that we must stretch our commonly held ideology in order to grow both personally and scientifically. If I had to choose a lecture that combined all three aspects of inspiration, instruction, and new notions, it would have to be the lecture by Mossbauer. Mossbauer won the Nobel Prize very early in his career as a result of his thesis work, and instead of resting on his laureate, he found a new and exciting field of research to study that he didn’t already know everything about. It was really inspirational to me to see someone able to move on and to continuously challenge himself intellectually. 

I especially liked the informal lectures, as they allowed one to interact directly with the Laureates and ask them questions about their research, your research, whatever you wanted. It was fascinating to see their thought processes as they explained or refined concepts for us. One commonality that all the laureates had was that they were great teachers, able to adapt difficult concepts to the level of the question.  I learned a great deal, and clarified a great deal by attending these informal sessions. 

Personally, I think that meeting other American graduate students and especially other women grad students was the most fun aspect of the conference. It was great to swap stories of slavery or the lack thereof, as well as working conditions and benefits. It was also great to learn about other areas of research, especially the high energy and biomaterials groups.It was nice to take a break from 15 hour research days with lectures to 15 hour days of learning and nightly camaraderie. Interacting with other international students was fun as well, since we all seem to think that each other has the better system, so it was nice to swap stories with them.  As far as professionally, it was nice to discuss research with the Laureates and for me it was personally flattering, as I was invited by two of the Laureates to apply for post-docs at their institutions. 

Back to List

The highlight was the first panel discussion on what it takes to be a Nobel Prize winner and why fundamental research is so important. 

I attended the last two discussions. It was fun to see the range of personalities and styles in the various people. They all still had a great excitement for their work. 

The whole experience was great. Lindau is a beautiful place and it was fun and exciting interacting with the Nobel Laureates and others on the trip.

Back to List

I gained a greater understanding of the path to scientific success. It does not require an almost mystical intelligence such as Einstein's but rather a deep understanding of your specialization surrounded by a general knowledge of and fascination with all areas of science. 

Brian Josephson's lecture was the one I found to be most striking and valuable.  Not necessarily for its content but rather for what it represents. Dr. Josephson is a man who, however successfully, is questioning the very structure of science. This is a critical self-examination which all too often is left to non-scientists. 

The round table discussions about the role of physics in the life sciences was most valuable to me since my work borders on biophysics. What struck me the most during these discussions was the breadth of knowledge that these scientists have. It is of fundamental importance for physicists to be aware of and interested in the critical questions in other fields of science such as biology. The cross over between these fields will be of increasing importance in the future.

Back to List

As a Biomedical Engineer, my studies are focused in the area of biophysics. My research objectives are to understand the functionality and structure of biological systems for specific biomolecular manipulation and control. The most pivotal experience gained from the Lindau meeting was confirmation of my belief in the increasing role and interdependence of physics and biology in making new discoveries. Our knowledge of biomolecular structures and their formation is relatively limited, and understanding the physical principles governing biological systems will elucidate current mysteries in the field. For example, I specifically remembered Dr. Robert Laughlin’s controversial criticism of biologists and the current efforts in performing genetic engineering. While his statements caused dissention and I opposed his opinions, they nevertheless compelled me to evaluate his proposed methodology of research. I intend to perform my own biophysical experiments with careful, practical development of theory.

I consider Dr. Robert Huber’s lecture on protein structural symmetry as most pertinent to my research work because I am utilizing biomolecular structures for the assembly of hybrid organic/inorganic nanosystems powered by motor proteins. The study of protein structure from entropic and energy perspectives are crucial in understanding interactions between biomolecules and their environment. Furthermore, Dr. Huber’s description of the construction of large proteins as oligomers of smaller subunits provided a unique perspective on protein functionality in that the oligomers are formed for error control in biosynthesis and control of assembly.  The properties of protein folding and assembly are currently the crux of my studies. 

I am very appreciative of the DOE for organizing the trip and offering me among the other members of our select group the opportunity to attend this memorable meeting in Lindau. As a young scientist aspiring to establish an eminent reputation in my respective field, it was crucial to learn what the international community has defined as important scientific discoveries. The student interactions were also important and made the experience even more pleasurable through informal interactions. 

Back to List

If I had to sum up the experience in one word it would be encouragement. By attending the conference themselves, the Laureates show their support for young scientist and their discussions give encouragement to the students to continue their pursuits of research in their chosen fields. This was a great benefit to me. I now have a better understanding of what it means to be a top researcher in a particular area of science and I most definitely feel encouraged to pursue my research and even branch to another area of research upon completion of my doctoral degree program. 

Of all the lectures, the most valuable one was the "Cold atoms, Bose-Einstein condensates and Coherent de Broglie Wave Optics" by Prof. William Phillips. His style of lecturing and ability to present any topic in his area of research at a level understandable by graduate students of different fields helps to keep the topic interesting.

He lecture was also very engaging and gives a listener the feeling that he is presenting the material for your sole understanding. I should also mention that he gave me a new understanding of quantum mechanics and what can be done with Bose-Enstein condensates. 

I have met many foreign students during my years in college but never have I met so many while touring through their country. Experiencing the different culture, the different pace of life, and the different foods was very enjoyable. I recall a very intense discussion I had with three German students. The topic of discussion actually centered around politics ... focusing on the environment and other related issues. I learned very quickly that at least this particular German student could be very persuasive in his arguments.

The most memorable experience would have to be the one-on-one discussions during the lunch and dinner we had with Nobel Laureates. This gave the opportunity to ask questions concerning not just physics but the chance to discuss issues of life, pursuit of science, the future of technology, etc. 

The trip to Mainau ran a very close second as memorable experiences. The island is very beautiful and the boat ride was rather exciting. This was a nice way to end a very long and busy week of activities and it gave the students one more chance to interact among themselves and with the Nobel Laureates.

In the fields of science meeting Nobel Laureates is like a college sports player meeting their model professional sports player. A chance of a lifetime and never to be forgotten. 

Back to List

My experience with the Nobel Laureates made me realize that there is no set mold I need to fit into in order to be successful in science.  I need to be myself and enjoy what I do.

Dr. Phillips was the most interesting speaker to me and I especially enjoyed hearing what he had to say on quantum computers.  I had only heard a little on this topic before and he started by introducing us to the basics of the topic and went on to explain his expectations for the future.

My favorite interaction with the Laureates was the opportunity to sit down to a meal with them.  It is then that I had a chance to really find out who these amazing scientists are. 

I especially enjoyed meeting the other students and making friends.  I liked talking to them about their graduate programs and finding out how their experiences in school have compared to mine.  I also greatly appreciated the opportunity to go see Europe.  Lindau is such a beautiful place and traveling to Paris afterward on my own was an added bonus.

Back to List

During lunch and dinner with the laureates I was able to learn about what motivated them in their early research. I especially enjoyed talking with Giaever. He did his prize-winning work while working in industry and actually quit graduate school to do more research. This is very inspiring to know that amazing research can come from different areas than are usually taken in the academic research world. Josephson was also an interesting character. His views on the paranormal really show that when you are used to thinking in new ways, that you can use your talents to unlock all sorts of mysteries that were blocked by conventional research and thinking.

I think a main advantage I gained from this experience was meeting fellow students in the field. Some of us actually got together and tried to work out theories in cosmology starting from each of our expertise. We actually thought we had a very plausible theory at one time, but it was partly contingent on BaBar not finding CP violation in the B-meson system. The week we returned they had reported that they had seen it. So, it was back to the drawing board. But, the opportunity to become good friends with top students in other branches of physics opens a world of opportunity to collaborate in the future outside the normal realm inside specific research areas. And, having made friendly contacts throughout the states can only help in a tough academic market where contacts can be life savers for getting research and job positions.

As for the foreign contacts, I also found these extremely helpful. I did not have as much time to talk about physics research with them. However, we did have time to talk at length about the differences in the educational systems in the different countries. I found this extremely helpful. As someone with goals of becoming a professor, dept. head, dean someday, knowledge of other systems of education from people who have experienced it and taught in it can only help to improve the way that physics and science is taught in the US, to help keep the US a strong scientific force in the world.

Back to List

While I enjoyed all of the morning lectures, I particularly enjoyed Professor Mossbauer's lecture. He gave an overview of neutrino experiments and spoke about the solar neutrino deficit. His talk was enhanced by the commentary that only an active researcher in the area could provide.   

The informal meals with the Larueates were by far the best part of the Lindau conference.  My favorite evening involved dinner with Dr. Josephson and his wife. Both were extremely pleasant and talkative. At that dinner we were entertained with stories as varied as Dr. Josephson's current research to how he and his wife met. The meals were the means to discovering the personality behind the prize.

The Lindau Trip was a great experience. I returned to work invigorated and eager to delve back into my project. The students I met were an eclectic group of people, but I was continually surprised by how much we had in common. The Laureate Lectures by themselves provided a rare opportunity, but coupled with the informal discussions, the Lindau trip was a memorable experience.

Back to List

I enjoyed Kroemer's and Phillips' lectures the most, probably because they talked about subjects I could relate to, things I had studied before and refer to in my research. 

I attended the informal discussions with Kroemer and Phillips.  Apparently-- and this is really cool-- there is currently research on NEGATIVE indices of refraction. Kroemer mentioned this. This fascinates me.

Networking—- I did a lot of that. Got to know, on one level or another, just about all the kids on the trip, as well as some international students-- many of whom are into research that's related to mine, so we have something to swap stories about, contacts at other institutions.

Dinner with the Laureates was great-- we had Phillips, and he is totally righteous.  Lindau was a great opportunity-- thanks to DOE et al.-- to cross paths with folks we'd otherwise probably never meet. It was great to get some perspective on others' scientific outlooks.

Back to List