Tomorrow's scientific elite speak of Nobel inspiration and hopes for the future The phrase 'scientists of tomorrow' is used time and time again in discussions on young researchers. But no term could be more appropriate to describe the 563 young researchers attending the 57th Nobel Laureates meeting in Lindau, Germany. These young researchers were first th... The phrase 'scientists of tomorrow' is used time and time again in discussions on young researchers. But no term could be more appropriate to describe the 563 young researchers attending the 57th Nobel Laureates meeting in Lindau, Germany. These young researchers were first the winners of competitive national selection processes, and then succeeded where others failed to impress an international selection board, who eventually deemed them worthy of mixing with the world's scientific elite for one week on the shores of Lake Constance. The young researchers came from 64 countries, four of them represented for the first time in Lindau: Bangladesh, Jordan, North Korea and Syria. Countess Sonja Bernadotte, President of the Council for the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings, welcomed the expanding multicultural element of the event, as well as the high number of young women scientists - 283 - taking part. The countess is hoping to see even more countries represented at future meetings. CORDIS News spoke to some of those present to find out more about their expectations of the meeting, what brought them there, and what their aspirations for the future are. Kandice Thomas, a PhD student from Louisiana State University in the US, was in a restaurant when she got the phone call to say that she had been accepted as a participant. 'I was trying not to scream and shout; I was so excited,' she says. Although she is a chemist and the focus of this year's event is biology and medicine, by the second day Ms Thomas felt that she had already gained a lot. 'Some of it is way over my head [...] but the words of the laureates are encouraging, and they inspire young people'. She has also enjoyed the more philosophical aspects of the laureates' presentations. Asked how she feels to be selected as one of her country's brightest scientific stars of the future, Ms Thomas is modest. 'I think I am very lucky to have been chosen, although I do think that I am also deserving of it. And of course I want to take advantage of it.' Ms Thomas, like many other participants, is visiting Europe for the first time. Touhidul Islam from Dhaka University in Bangladesh is currently completing a Master of Sciences degree in genetic engineering. 'The meeting is a great chance to come close to the best talent and the most dazzling people in the world,' he told CORDIS News. He also regards the event as an opportunity to find out more about what is happening around the world in biological science, and to find out about universities around the world. 'This will increase my mental strength and my aspirations for the future,' he says. Mr Islam seemed star struck after having spent around 20 minutes, with other young researchers, speaking to Nobel Laureate Craig Mello. He described the exchange as 'inspiring'. For Megan McCain, currently working towards a PhD in bioengineering, hearing more about the laureates' journeys in science was a major draw. 'I am just starting out. It's challenging to be creating, to come up with your own ideas. These people here have made unique discoveries,' she told CORDIS News. Other motivations for attending included meeting the laureates and finding out what sort of people they are, meeting other young researchers from around the world, and hearing about cutting-edge science slightly outside their usual area of focus. Some of the participants are already spending time outside of their home countries. For others, the event has opened their eyes to this possibility. Alex Bird is from the US, but is carrying out his PhD in microbiology at the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics in Germany. He chose to go to Germany after identifying the best people in his field of study. 'Where I am is best for my career, not because I'm in Germany, but because of the science,' he says. This pragmatic view was echoed by Mariann Jensby Nielsen, a Danish Postdoc in biochemistry. She is very interested in spending a period of time away from Denmark, but emphasises: 'I don't want to do it just to go abroad, I want to find the best place for me.' 'There is a lot of science going on in Europe that we aren't exposed to in the US. And I'm going to conferences where the participants are mainly Europeans, who I wouldn't meet in the US. There is not a gap like there was 20 years ago between the US and Europe,' says Mr Bird. Wherever he ends up in the future, he will definitely encourage other American students to spend time in Europe, telling them that 'it's not scary, and it won't end your career', he says. Johannes Zeintl, working on a PhD in medical imaging, travelled in the opposite direction to complete a research internship at a Siemens lab in the US. His year there enabled him to gain new technical knowledge in nuclear medicine, and an introduction to brand new technologies. Many of the young researchers in Lindau are currently undecided as to exactly what career path they will follow. Some are leaning towards staying in academia, while others are considering moving to industry. Many spoke of the need to be flexible, but all are hoping to remain in research. Ms Thomas is considering applying for a postdoc position after she has completed her PhD, and would then like to work for a government department. She then sees herself spending some time working in industry before returning to either academia or another government department position. She would like to spend some time doing community work, and believes that she will have more freedom to do this in academia or a government department. Mr Islam already has big plans for his research career even though, as a Masters student, he really is only just starting out. He would like to study for a PhD overseas in a big university with a strong reputation. 'Then I will return [to Bangladesh] to try to do something for my country,' he says. 'Bangladesh is a third world country. It has many problems. It is dependent on agriculture, and there is huge scope for me [as a biotechnology specialist] to do something for my country.' Countries Germany
