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The lecture that had the most value was the round table discussion. The Laureates talked about science in general and the impact science has on the future and life and politics etc. It was actually much more intellectual than the lectures. 

The intellectual nature of the conversation was exciting and brain expanding.

The best parts were new friendships with American and international students (i.e. Israel, Germany, Ireland, Canada), discussing science as well as society, culture and politics with the international students, the intellectual conversations with the Nobel Laureates at the events we hosted, intellectual conversations with other students, and international travel! It was a wonderful experience. 

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The orientation was a wonderful tool and also proved to be a unique source of group unity as this was really the first time in which we all had the opportunity to meet with each other as a collective whole. One small note: the strategically placed maps of Germany throughout the back of the room proved to be a sounding board for a number of discussions with fellow students, and was a small touch that made a big difference.

First and foremost, as stated by the student representative on Mainau in his closing remarks, the meeting really did serve to take the laureates off of their peer-imposed inapproachable pedestals, placing them directly in our own paths. Field of study aside, it quickly became obvious from this fresh vantage point that the unattainable Nobel Prize was really not that inaccessible, all it takes is a little luck, an ingenious idea, and a ton of hard work. This is not said to detract from the sheer brilliance of the Laureates, it is just meant to describe the confidence booster meeting with the Laureates brought forth, which was by far the largest benefit bestowed upon my scientific career, both immediate and future.

I did glean a great deal of information on how scientists from fields other than my own attack fundamental problems, and was particularly enthralled with Dr. Cooper’s lecture. Importantly, Dr. Cooper established early in the lecture series that such mathematical models as routinely implored by physicists and chemists could also be used to describe complex physiological events. This very methodical treatment of an otherwise complex event served as a reminder that although a number of the Laureates seemed to be too non-specific on details (or perhaps that the details were over my head), the fundamental world of statistics and electronics can still be applied. This reminder rang true throughout the week as I balanced the macroscopic picture discussed by the laureates with the microscopic details I focus on in my own field of chemistry. 

From a scientific standpoint, I particularly enjoyed listening to and asking questions of Profs. Huber and Marcus, mostly because they have performed similar experiments and have dealt with similar issues as myself. For example, I routinely analyze crystal structure data and have great difficulty transposing such a solid-state analysis to the situation found in solution. Acknowledging the difficulty, Prof. Huber gave me a few suggestions to try out on single crystals in order to help silence the critics on this question. This personal insight and acknowledgment of challenges I myself face was invigorating and motivational, again serving as a confidence booster. However, I wouldn’t be completely honest if I said such discussions were the most meaningful. Without question, my most valued conversations with the laureates came over lunch and dinner during the DOE sponsored get-togethers. Science aside, I realized that the Laureates who joined us on these outings were truly decent people with a variety of interests outside of their own fields, interests ranging from music and literature to enjoying life with family and friends.

Discussing science with people outside of my own area has helped me to look at problems from a fresh perspective. This is a landmark development, and one which will continue to blossom as I remain in contact with members of the science world I would otherwise not cross paths with. Such members include not only the very talented and intellectual American delegates on our trip, but also a few students from Pakistan, Germany, the UK, and India. Along those lines, while it was continually stressed throughout the meeting that international networking was something we should all strive for, our participation as hosts for the international student dinner truly enabled this to happen in a facile and open manner. 

More immediately, from the laureates and students, I learned of new applications for a number of analytical techniques I routinely implore which I had previously not encountered, particularly because I do not officially operate in the realm of biology. This revelation certainly suggests that a number of scientists would be well served in reading literature outside of their immediate area, a suggestion I intend to follow. 

Lastly, although not intended, and certainly not expected, I have also gained a greater appreciation for the caliber of research being performed at US institutions. This statement is partly influenced by the opening remarks made by a number of German politicians, but mainly because each and every member of the US delegation had such a passion for their research that I was easily swept into their excitement. 

I was extremely (and pleasantly so) surprised at the quality of students who accompanied me on our trip—I had not expected such well-rounded students in all aspects of life. This, in and of itself, made for one of the most memorable experiences of my life. 

We were in the throws of some of the greatest scientific minds of our generation situated in the beautiful island town of Lindau. It was exciting seeing for the first time the sheer number of international students who were as just in awe as myself, and being able to walk up to any number of them without reservation just to say hello and to be welcomed unconditionally; our participation as hosts for the international student dinner enabled such communication to continue in an open and facile manner. The dialogue established early on with foreign students complemented the tone set by my American colleagues in D.C., and helped to tear down other walls of expectations I had unknowingly built, ranging from cultural issues to life as a scientist in a foreign country. I have previously had little exposure to scientific life outside of the US and EU, and was thrilled to compare stories with friends from other nations. On the other hand, learning of budgetary/scientific freedom constraints in other laboratories around the world was often humbling, and made me realize how well a number of us have it at well-funded institutions. With this humility came the question of how then, do we maximize the opportunities granted us? Fortunately, we had a panel of experts at our disposal who were more than willing to tackle such difficult questions.

And tackle they did, especially during the informal discussion sessions, which also includes the DOE organized lunch and dinner with the laureates. As Dr. Edmond Fischer stated, the public expects a Nobel Laureate to know everything about everything—and these scientists did not disappoint. Very few questions went unanswered, no matter how personal or irrelevant the question appeared to be. I personally found the questions relating to scientific growth fascinating and found it intriguing that each of the laureates was able to single out individual mentors as being instrumental to his/her success. It was over the course of these informal sessions that my expectations took another unexpected turn: all of these scientists were at the very pinnacle of their field, yet each and every one of them was surprisingly patient, humble, and down-to-earth. Moreover, they outwardly appeared less concerned about the prestige of the prize than the quest for knowledge which took them all the way to the top. I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to meet such wonderful human beings, and to learn a little bit about each of their scientific journeys.

In reading comments from the 2002 US delegation to Lindau, I ran across a quote from Randy McDermott which nicely summarized my own attitude concerning the week: “the world seemed much smaller while in Lindau.” Gone were all pre-existing stereotypes and expectations. Instead, science and fellowship flowed in to fill the voids, and seemed to overtake everything else in their path. If only all conferences could be this rewarding.

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The orientation was a good way to meet everyone. The time in Germany goes by so fast that it is good to get to know people a little before going to Europe.

I think that from the personal conversations I had with Laureates, and from the small group discussions, I became more aware of the great importance of creativity in research. As researchers, we always need to question excepted norms and try to look at things from different perspective.

 I attended all the lectures and found the most valuable aspect was the discussion of research objectives and innovation.

I met several people on the trip that I would like to visit. There was one other student on the trip that I got to know that I would like to work with in the future or collaborate with. The international travel is a great experience. I have been considering looking for a post-doc position in Europe and I think that the trip confirmed my intention to do so.

The tip to Lindau was an excellent and memorable opportunity to meet with Nobel Laureates and discuss our scientific endeavors, shared or otherwise. This trip also proved to be a valuable chance to meet and get-to-know other graduate students from the US and abroad.

The orientation session in DC was a nice opportunity to meet the other students from the US before traveling to Germany. The meeting at DOE provided a nice overview of the different types of research supported by this agency. It was nice to travel as a group to Germany, because we were able to forge early friendships that we could quickly build upon during our free time in Munich.

While meeting with the Nobel Laureates and listening to lectures from many disciplines outside of my own, I was interested to see how well read these individuals were in many topics of science.  The discussions showed me how interdisciplinary science can be and emphasized the importance of fostering a greater understanding of research topics outside of your own discipline.

I attended several different lectures during the small groups and larger group discussions. I preferred the discussion panel sessions to the small group sessions because it was a unique experience to get many different perspectives from such well-respected scientists. I enjoyed their intelligent discussion and frank responses to questions from the audience.

The informal dinner/lunch discussions with the Laureates were unique because the discussions often led outside the realm of science. I also enjoyed meeting the spouses of the Laureates and discussing travel, culture, etc. These informal meetings added a very personal touch to the meeting.

In the course of the week in Germany, I established some great new friendships with students from the United States. I was also able to speak with students from around the world and learn of their experiences in graduate or medical school.

Hats off to the folks at DOE for planning such a memorable event. This was a fantastic opportunity to meet other students and participate in a truly unique conference.

The opportunity to hear lectures by and speak with Nobel Laureates whose research has led to such advances as the mapping of the human genome was both humbling and thrilling. It puts my own research and career in perspective to realize that the individual projects on which we participate could one day benefit medicine and health care for people all over the world.

I attended all of the lectures. I found Dr. Arber's lecture "Insight into Molecular Evolution—Practical and Philosophical Consequences" to be the most valuable to me. As an epidemiologist, I tend to think and work at a more macro level compared to many scientists, often considering the broad implications of research in contrast with immediate biological or chemical consequences. Dr. Arber's lecture was very thought-provoking; although he focused on genetic research (i.e., genetic engineering), he raised issues all researchers need to consider, such as the potential human cost of performing particular kinds of experiments and the result of trying to genetically fix what may not be broken, all in the name of science.

I attended student discussions with Dr. Christiane Nusslein-Volhard, Dr. Torsten Wiesel, and Dr. Werner Arber. I found Dr. Nusslein-Volhard's group especially useful as she gave personal insight into the future of genetic research, both from a medical and ethical standpoint. The discussion with Dr. Arber was also stimulating as it touched on further ethical considerations all scientists must face, especially those individuals who work on manipulation of genes. 

Being able to compare my experiences with those of students from other countries was incredible and very educational. I spoke with an epidemiologist from Pakistan and was amazed at the similarities and differences in how our countries approached public health problems, such as vaccinations. It helped put my own experiences in perspective and is something I will share with my fellow doctoral students back at UNC-Chapel Hill. The U.S. has exceptional resources compared to many other countries, but can also learn from how some of these resource-challenged nations make the most of the little they have to better the health of their people.

We had a fantastic group of American students and I enjoyed talking to all of them about their research and studies. Even though we were all in scientific and/or medical fields, we were doing such diverse things, it was amazing! I didn't just enjoy sharing the experience with them, but also making some friends and great memories.

This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I am honored to have taken part. Sitting down with the Laureates and talking face-to-face made me realize how incredibly gifted, yet incredibly down to earth, many of them are. I wish I could go every year!

I felt that it was VERY beneficial for all of the American students to meet beforehand and travel together to Europe. It helped foster a cohesiveness that made the trip more enjoyable than if we met as strangers in Germany.

My experience with the Nobel Laureates will have positive effects on my scientific career in many ways. First of all, it is quite inspiring to meet and interact with such a group of highly successful scientists. All of the Laureates still have an insatiable appetite for scientific discovery, and their outlook is contagious. It was also informative to hear about how they got where they are in their lives and careers. Speaking of their personal stories and career choices is, in one sense, a form of mentoring. While it would not be wise to try to emulate an individual Laureate's career, generalities could definitely be gleaned by listening to the commonalities between the Laureates. In addition, I felt that a few important career concepts were learned or reinforced through talks and discussions with the Laureates, such as the importance of collaboration, the potential of scientific discovery at the intersection of disciplines, and the importance of focusing time and energy on scientific issues (or otherwise) that are broader than just your own particular findings.

I attended all of the lectures, and since my field of study is neurobiology, I found the talks by Erwin Neher and Bert Sakmann to be most valuable. In addition, I found Christiane Nusslein-Volhard's talk to be quite interesting, largely because I think it was one of the best organized lectures of the conference.

I attended informal discussions with Erwin Neher, Christiane Nusslein-Volhard, Bert Sakmann, and Torsten Wiesel. All of them were interesting and informative, though for different reasons. Neher's discussion was valuable from a scientific standpoint, since I also work with second messenger cascades and signaling mechanisms. The other three discussions were valuable from a more general standpoint, as I was able to garner insight into how the Laureates got to their current point in life, their opinions on the history and future of science and discovery, advice on career choices and other pearls of wisdom.

This meeting has definitely been a positive experience for me, on both personal and professional levels. The personal gains are more immediate - friendships with American and international students, traveling to Europe for the first time, and opening my eyes to many different cultures and outlooks. The professional gains will probably affect me more as my scientific career continues. Though I did glean a few methodological tidbits from discussions with the Laureates and other students, I think the largest repercussions will be felt through the scientific contacts I made with my peers, both American and international. In the current scientific world, no one practices science in a vacuum, and even though most of the people that I met were not directly in my field of study, I am sure that I will interact with more than one of them in the future for some reason or another. I think that this meeting helps to foster cross-discipline and cross-cultural interaction, will be an important aspect to the success of scientific progress.

The times that Laureates joined the American delegation for meals were extremely important and effective at providing the opportunity to really sit down and chat with these eminent scientists. I had the privilege of sitting across from Dr. Edmond Fischer during the dinner at the Golden Lammes, and I found him to be one of the most interesting and inspiring people that I have ever met. Our conversation at the table that night covered a wide gamut of topics from science to religion, and many issues in between, reminding me of the importance of being well-rounded and knowing more about the world than just my own specific area of research.

In summary, I found the Lindau meeting to be an absolutely amazing experience, both personally and professionally. Listening to the Nobel Laureates, and interacting with them on an informal basis, was a very informative and inspiring experience that will have both immediate and long-term positive repercussions on my career. In addition, and potentially even more importantly, the interaction with outstanding peers from the US and abroad was an immensely enjoyable experience that will likely have even a larger impact on my future professional career than meeting the Nobel Laureates. After all, these peers will be my current and future coworkers, collaborators, and reviewers. It was very beneficial to interact with students and scientists outside of my specific field of study, especially since so much of scientific progress is made at the intersection of disciplines. In addition to the positive effects on my professional career, the meeting was also a wonderful personal experience. It was my first time overseas, and the international representation at the meeting further helped to expand my horizons and viewpoints of our global community.

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The DC orientation session was an excellent way to start the trip. The biographies of the Nobel Laureates and the history of the Nobel Prize were the two topics that I felt helped me the most to prepare for the Lindau meeting. Meeting as a group for the orientation session and traveling to Europe as a group.

I felt that meeting the Nobel Laureates in Lindau helped me put into perspective the amount of dedication, hard work, and patience needed for a successful career in science. All of the Laureates exemplified a love for science and discovery, and while very proud of the recognition gained through the Nobel Prize, their scientific pursuits still remain their number one focus.

The discussions were more valuable for me than the lectures. I thought that these discussions provided a lot of insight into the minds of the Laureates and provided an excellent opportunity for students to ask questions in an informal setting.

The Lindau experience was fantastic. I was so very impressed with all the DOE/ORAU students on the trip, both as excellent scientists but also as extraordinary people. The outgoing and fun nature of our group made for many great experiences. I am excited to see some of the Lindau alumni at future ACS meetings.

I thought that the DOE orientation session in D.C. was impressive and worthwhile. I found the background information on the Nobel Prize and Lindau/Germany interesting and some of the tidbits I would not have learned on my own. I was inspired by Ari Patrinos' lecture about the work done in all four arms of the Department of Energy. I found him to be an excellent speaker, and appreciated both his straightforward attitude toward the political atmosphere involving DOE and also his enthusiasm about the importance of the DOE work.

I believe that it was very important for us to meet in D.C. and travel as a group. It was those first couple of days, in D.C. and in Munich, which really cemented the friendships between individuals and the group as a whole. We entered the actual Nobel Meeting with a solid foundation, which helped to not feel 'lost' in the crowd of over 500 students.

I don't believe that any discussion would have prepared me for the Lindau experience per se: it was incredible, unbelievably amazing. I knew ahead of time that the meeting would stretch my scientific learning, spread my network of friends and colleagues, but to be honest, I never guessed that it would be so much FUN! I slept only a couple of hours each night because I wanted to enjoy every minute, take advantage as much as possible of this wonderful opportunity, just didn't want to miss any aspect of the experience.

Realistically, my experience with the Laureates themselves will bring benefit to my career by teaching me to not be intimidated or shy around even the greatest of scientists. This is a lesson I already knew, but going into the conference I wasn't sure that it still applied to such an exalted level of scientist. But they really ARE just normal people, more colleagues than gods. And surprisingly, they truly believed that the research WE were doing was of interest and importance also.

I would love to say that I would keep in touch with the several Laureates that I did meet, but I realize they probably wouldn't remember me if we met tomorrow simply because they met so many students that week. Regardless, I will write to thank those I met for their time and express my pleasure at meeting them. Perhaps Dr. Fischer will be different, as he is a professor at UW and our contact may continue.

I attended all of the lectures. Dr. Leon Cooper's lecture, which included a discussion on the synergy of theoretical and experimental work, had the most value for me because I could see clearly the connection to my own work underneath both a theoretical physicist and a process analytical chemist.

One of my favorite aspects of the conference was the Roundtable Discussions. I loved the discussion between Laureates of the questions which weren't prepared for ahead of time. For example, the ongoing discussion of stem cell research, ethics, and regulations needed was fascinating to me. In such a forum as the Nobel Meeting, it actually seemed probable, not just possible, to hammer out issues such as international rules to follow in this kind of research. And I found it very cool that the Laureates openly disagreed about what directions they thought future research would go, or their opinions on the existence of a soul or consciousness.

Perhaps the most heartening aspect the round table was to hear the universal support of the Laureates to fund basic science, especially fundamental physical sciences, and the concern that funding agencies are too focused on applied research.

Attending the conference really opened my eyes to the interdisciplinary nature of ALL of the fields--I could see the connections between my own research in analytical chemistry and others' in particle physics or cancer biology. The strongest connections I made were with the other scientists in our delegation, and I believe we'll stay in close contact and enhance each other's lives in ways beyond the purely scientific. The connection between our group as a whole was amazing and we are talking about meeting again next summer in person. I did make a few friends outside of the U.S., a woman from Mali and a man from Chile specifically, with whom I would like to stay in contact.

Again, it was an incredible, unbelievably amazing week. It was the opportunity of a lifetime, and I think we took the fullest advantage of our time together in one of the most unique settings.

The week in Lindau at the Nobel Meeting was simply incredible. I am grateful for the opportunity to meet scientists and people of such high caliber in such an amazing setting, to share my research and experiences, to recognize the similarities between us and learn from the differences. Such intensity of time and knowledge grows close bonds between people, and the shared experiences from this meeting will last a lifetime.

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Copyright 2002, Oak Ridge Associated Universities

09/16/2003