During and following the closing ceremonies at Mainau, many of the students exchanged thoughts on the Nobel Laureate meeting experience and plans to keep in touch with each other. As the following comments letters indicated, the experience had a profound affect on each individual.

The orientation session in Washington D.C. gave me some important perspective on the meeting I was going to attend. I learned about the history of the meeting, the committee responsible for organizing it, and its educational and public relations goals. We were also given useful information about the region and specific cities we were to visit, German history and culture, and the Laureates who would be attending the meeting.

The delegation of students were also given information about the DOE and ORAU, which for me was very useful, as I knew little about these two organizations or the research programs they support.

Both aspects of the orientation were helpful to me, and more informative than I had initially expected. Beyond this, it was a wonderful experience to get to know the other students in the delegation personally and to have traveling companions who, like myself, were giddy about the trip we were about to embark on and the opportunity we had been given.

Getting a chance to hear the perspectives of scientists who had truly "made it", with respect to their careers, was a source of personal encouragement and a grounding experience for me. Meeting these men and women gave me a better sense of the long road ahead for myself and my colleagues, who are just getting started in our careers in science. All of the Laureates seemed to be saying similar things to the young people attending the meeting. For example, many said that to be successful as a scientist you must work hard, but also you have to retain your sense of fun and creativity, and not lose sight of the larger issues outside of the one you are currently working on. It’s this sense of wonder and adventure that makes a fulfilling career.

I attended all of the morning sessions, which covered a range of topics, but which were in large part concerned with different aspects of nervous system function. Since Neuroscience is my field of study, these talks were highly relevant to what I am working on myself. However, I also enjoyed the talks from other fields, such as physics and chemical engineering, and it was great just to see how the Nobel Laureates presented and approached their own work.

The informal discussions held by the Laureates were great. I enjoyed Leon Cooper's discussion in particular. His own work is very interesting to me, and it was fascinating to hear the questions brought to him by students like myself. I also attended discussions led by Torsten Wiesel and Gunter Blobel, and was surprised by their graciousness in fielding such a large number of questions. Their frankness and willingness to address practically any topic was very refreshing.

Not only did this travel award allow me to meet graduate students from other fields and other parts of the country, I was also able to connect with students and postdocs from around the world. One thing I have discovered is that regardless of different fields and cultural backgrounds, scientists really do speak the same language. I have been encouraged by this experience to overcome my own shyness and look for opportunities in my field wherever they may arise, either in the US or elsewhere.

The food in Bavaria was excellent, and Lindau was a beautiful town with real warmth and great people. Both the people at the meeting and the people of Lindau were extremely enthusiastic and welcoming toward our student delegation.

I think this award is a very worthwhile experience and I hope that the program continues. This was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

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The orientation session in DC was very informative and interesting. Upon arrival, I knew little about the history and the purpose of the Lindau meeting and the orientation filled in the gaps of what I did know. I also learned more about the department of energy including the department of science and it gave me a broader understanding of the department’s role. I enjoyed getting to know the other students in DC and felt it was a very good use of my time. The general information about Germany was helpful as well.

Being a chemist, I was concerned that I would find the meeting uninteresting since the focus was medicine and physiology; however, I quickly realized that not to be the case. This meeting broadened my scope of science in many ways. It reiterated how closely related all of the sciences are and how each benefit from the others. The friendships I made will be helpful in the future in possible collaborations and contacts as I further my career.

The lectures were very interesting and presented at an appropriate level. I really enjoyed the panel discussions between the Laureates because it allowed them to discuss issues on a broader scale. The individual lectures were excellent. I felt that many of them could have talked for hours more and still not be finished. I am sure it was a difficult task to narrow down so much work for a brief twenty minute lecture.

The informal discussions were my favorite part of the meeting. The Laureates seemed very real and approachable. The student questions were from a very wide range of topics from personal history to highly technical topics. I appreciated the humility of the Laureates I listened to, one of which commented that when you win the Nobel prize that everyone assumes you know a lot more than you do.

It was interesting talking with the other chemists on the trip and to realize how many of the same meetings we had all been to in the past few years. It will be fun to see them at future chemistry meetings. Secondly, it was helpful to step out of my focused research and learn about research going on in other areas of science, i.e., biology and physics. Meeting other scientists and discussing both research and life experiences has extensive benefits. I am very thankful for this experience.

I would like to thank the DOE for funding this memorable experience. It was an invaluable experience that I will never forget! My experience at the meeting of the Nobel Laureates in Lindau was outstanding. I enjoyed meeting fellow American Students as well as international students. The leadership and organization of the trip and the meeting was excellent, and I feel extremely honored to have been a part of such a memorable and exciting event. I think the most surprising part of the meeting for me was how down to earth and real the Laureates were. They have extraordinary minds yet communicate on a level that is attainable to any scientist. They each have a love for science that was evident and a deep desire to pass it on to students. It was an experience I will never forget!

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It was a great experience to meet the great minds in person; especially hearing them recount the road to discoveries first hand. The most important message I brought home is the Laureate’s emphasis on the ability of identifying unsolved problems and formulating them in scientific ways leading to solutions. This will always remind me of the importance of forward looking and an interdisciplinary approach in scientific endeavors.

The morning lectures were very useful in providing the big pictures of current developments and setting the groundwork for the afternoon discussions. They are especially helpful to me since my background is not in Medicine/Physiology or Biology. Each lecture was equally stimulating and educating. All of them triggered me to ponder on the wonders of the exciting developments in Life Science; how far along we’ve gone in understanding ourselves, and how much more is waiting to be done. 

I tried to make the most out from the afternoon discussions by sampling different sessions at the same time. The one that I enjoyed the most was Professor Cooper’s. The most fascinating thing about Prof. Cooper is his diverse background. He won his Nobel Prize in the BCS theory for superconductor. However, his current research is about human cognition and memory. The two themes seem to be completely unrelated. It always amazes me how he made this transition in his career and has achieved such success in both fields.  

The opportunity of traveling abroad and meeting people from different parts of the world is always pleasant. All in all, this trip is enlightening, scientifically and culturally in ways that have yet to be fully realized.

It was great.

I enjoyed meeting the group in DC. I thought it was a very wise decision to fly us there early so we could explore the city and get to know other students in the group. It was during that time that I formed the instantaneous friendships with the American students I found myself spending the most time with on the trip. This time was essential in the overall trip and was a wonderful experience.

The orientation itself was very informative and helped me understand more about the DOE’s functions and divisions. I thought the overall sessions were nicely presented.

Meeting Nobel Laureates like Edmund Fischer was a once in a lifetime experience that I will cherish forever. Hearing the Nobel Laureates speak about their research and the unique opportunity when we were able to talk with them personally was humbling.

Meeting the Nobel Laureates will always have a positive effect on my research because they all started out loving science as much as I do (or I should say, we all do) and their desire to understand the driving forces behind their specific topics is something for which I can relate. Hard work, dedication, luck and good timing were the ingredients given by Professor Marcus for his and the other Laureates success stories. This is something we can all aspire and hope for.

I attended all the lectures and even though my field is more concentrated in biophysics, I found them all to be interesting and informative. I especially enjoyed Professor Marcus’ talk because I employ his theory in my own every day research. It was exciting to meet him personally and to place a face with the theory.

The overall experience and trip were amazing. Getting to know some of the best students from all over the US was a unique experience that I will forever be grateful for. Speaking and forming relationships with the international students, especially from Israel, was very exciting and enabled me to form contacts for future research opportunities in my native country.

Overall, there are no words to describe the incredible week I had.

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The history lesson concerning the origins of the Nobel Prizes and the brief discussion of Bavarian history were both enlightening and entertaining. I was satisfied with the topical content of the presentations, and I appreciated the opportunity to learn about the DOE's mission and history. The orientation is necessary and a good use of participants' time. Meeting in Washington and traveling to Europe together was ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL to the ties I established with the other American students. This opportunity to get to know my own compatriots before being exposed to other nationalities is perhaps the greatest benefit of the Washington orientation.

I learned more neuroscience and biochemistry in four short days than I would've otherwise learned in two or three audited classes. More important than the accumulation of knowledge, however, was the exposure to truly inspired science and practitioners of science. I came home from Lindau with a new zeal for my own work, borrowed from the Laureates love of their own learning and discovery.

Although I attended all lectures, Dr. Wiesel's lecture had the most value for me because of his clear, broad presentation of topics rather removed from my own work. He presented his work clearly, outlining important specifics while always emphasizing the larger pertinence of his studies.

Although Dr. Smith was quite engaging, I took most away from Dr. Cooper's discussion group. Dr. Cooper made some excellent points about the relationship between theoretical and experimental science. From his comments, I now have a much more significant appreciation for understanding the subtleties of theory that underlie my own work.

The Lindau trip has endowed me with real friends in the sciences here in the United States. The connections I formed will likely lead to fruitful collaborations, helpful consultations, and long-term friendships. Meeting with international scientists increased my perspective and deepened my belief that the future benefit of the world's population will arise from cooperative international science. Southern Germany's beauty humbled me and whetted my appetite for more extensive travel both in the U.S. and abroad. Most of all, I returned from the Lindau trip with exponentially more confidence to talk about my own science and question other researchers about their science.

The Laureates and my international peers alike were open to discussion of all kinds, and because of this openness, I gained greatly in knowledge of science and humanity.

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I found the orientation very informative and interesting. I was thrilled to visit the DOE and get a chance to talk with the presenters. Meeting everyone in DC and getting to know the group a bit before travel is much better than if each individual traveled alone, then met all these new people there.

I find myself inspired to say the least. I have learned of the thoughts and life stories of the greatest scientific minds in the world. What more can I say? 

I attended all the lectures and they all had much value to me, considering I am of a physics background. Just about everything in all the lectures was new to me. This was precisely why I was so looking forward to the lectures, to learn more of what was happening on the "biological/chemical" side of the biomedical sciences. I attended all the round table discussions and Dr. Cooper's informal session.  I do not recall which day it was, but there was one particular round table discussion that really addressed some controversial/philosophical questions in science that I particularly enjoyed.

 As far as the American students are concerned I gained: first, the knowledge of all their projects in detail, which was absolutely fascinating, second, I gained life long friends and contacts. These men and women, in my opinion, are the brightest, most driven people I have ever had the privilege of meeting.  I was truly honored to be in their company. It is real encouragement to me that our (US) school systems are producing men and women of this caliber. We had students of all walks and disciplines. The US contingent has already opened lines of communication that will probably last most of our lifetimes. Collaboration is inevitable.

The international students I had the opportunity to sit down and talk with as well were fascinating people. I really enjoyed hearing of their countries, their programs and their research.

This was my first experience traveling out of the US. What an experience it was. Germany is so rich in culture I was in awe. Lindau in particular was breathtaking. I really expected some hostility towards Americans in general (given the current political arena) but I found the opposite to be true. The German people (and those of other countries) seemed to welcome us with open arms.

The combination of meeting and talking with the Laureates, the other US students, the international students, and the trip itself, has left me inspired. Students seeking graduate degrees in the sciences spend many years studying and researching, many sleepless nights, and hours and hours of hard work. It gets tiring, and on occasion mundane. This trip has my batteries recharged!! I feel fully energized and inspired; I am ready to make the final push toward my PhD. I am so excited about the future of science. I really cannot wait to dive in headfirst.

I already miss the late night chats with other students. Chats I affectionately call “geek speak.” It is really difficult to get that many people together in one place that have so much interest and influence on the future of science. To be included in such a gathering was a joy. 

My experience with the Nobel Laureates was fantastic. To sit down and talk with these men and women over dinner really seemed too good to be true. I found the Laureates easy to talk with and fascinating. Their life and scientific stories were true inspiration.  As I stated above, I enjoyed meeting and talking with students from many other countries. I learned of their programs, their studies and projects.

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Everything was great, meeting new people and just the opportunity to travel abroad.

It was wonderful!

I enjoyed Dr. Nusslein-Volhard’s talk.  Her topic is totally different from what I am studying but it was amazing what progress she had made in her research.

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The orientation session in Washington D.C. was valuable and necessary for several reasons. It provided students with information pertaining to the inception of the Nobel Prize, the history of and the parties responsible for organizing the Lindau meeting, and the culture of the regions in Germany we were to visit. In addition, facts about the history, public relations, function, and future goals of the Department of Energy and ORAU were given. This was particularly informative, as I knew very little about the role of either organization in basic scientific research. One of the most beneficial aspects of the orientation was the opportunity to become acquainted with the other students prior to departing for Germany.

This unique opportunity permitted students to interact with scientists who have received the highest accolade in science. Discovering how accessible and receptive these individuals were to interacting with students was delightful! Engaging the Nobel Laureates in conversation about the future directions in science was an invaluable experience. Learning that some of the Nobel Laureates had disappointing and frustrating experiences reinforced the notion that a career in science requires intellect as well as hard work, dedication, and persistence.

Being involved in structural biology, Drs. Huber and Michel’s lectures were most informative for me, but I attended all lectures. These lectures targeted a diverse group and provided important insights into the future direction of structural biology as a whole. However, Dr. Fisher and Dr. Nusslein-Volhard’s lectures were very interesting because they emphasized the importance of protein-protein interaction within the context of intact biological systems.

I attended the informal discussions of Drs. Blobel, Nusslein-Volhard, Huber and Michel. The Nobel Laureates were willing to share professional advice and insight into conducting successful research. Students attending the sessions were from all backgrounds, so there was meaningful scientific discussion and exploration of many topics ranging from politics to religion. In fact, some of the topics discussed, especially during the Huber and Michel sessions, provided ideas to apply to my own research.

One of the most rewarding aspects of attending this meeting was the opportunity to meet and establish ties with other young researchers from the U.S. and abroad. It was interesting to become acquainted with students from other universities and different academic programs. Comparing U.S. research funding opportunities, academic curriculum, and career paths to that of researchers in other countries was an enlightening experience. Overall, exchanging ideas and information created the foundation for what may likely become future collaborations.

I would like to thank the DOE for funding my trip as well as all of the individuals who worked so hard to make this a memorable experience. I was particularly thankful for the additional opportunities to speak one-on-one with the Nobel Laureates provided for the U.S. delegation at the special lunch and dinner. This was a once-in-a lifetime opportunity to establish new friends, network with other scientists and meet interesting people from diverse backgrounds.

This meeting definitely stressed the importance of interaction among scientists from varying fields of study and fostered the premise of international cooperation among researchers. Increased contact with scientists outside of one's own field of interest also accentuates the need for a solid foundation and training in the basic sciences. It was refreshing to see so many talented, young scientists eager to meet and discuss topics with their peers. The future advancement of science depends on the ability of these researchers to work and communicate at the interface of many disciplines.

I believe the orientation in Washington D.C. was a wise decision.  It enabled the U.S. students to

get together and get to know one another before becoming busy with meeting the people from the other countries  The topic that proved to be the most beneficial was the background information and requirements of receiving a Nobel Prize.  Also, the biography and picture of each Nobel Laureate attending this year’s conference was also very helpful. 

Meeting with the Nobel Laureates reminded me that hard work and dedication do pay off, and that's what it takes, along with some luck, to make a great contribution to the scientific community. I attended all of the lectures, however, Edmond Fischer's lecture was the most valuable for me.  He spoke of intracellular signaling by protein phosphorylation, which interested me.

I attended Huber's and Michel's informal discussions which provided insight into the future of their areas of research.

I was amazed at how friendly everyone was at the conference.  The Nobel Laureates I spoke with were very humble and down-to-earth.  I formed good friendships with many of the Americans and had a fantastic time talking with the international students.  I really hope to see some of these people again.

Meeting with the Nobel Laureates and hearing about their research and views as to the future of science was a very motivating experience.  The international students I met and the Americans were a really great group of people.  Each person was different and unique, and we all got to know each other well and have a fantastic time.

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The value of our time in Washington was largely in getting to know each other and learning more about the Department of Energy and its role in promoting new and interesting science. The trip was enhanced greatly by the opportunity to travel as a group to Lindau; it was through this initial experience that we felt like a unified delegation.

The majority of the lectures given by the Laureates covered new research being done in their labs. The lesson I took away from this fact was that science is a journey rather than a destination. Just because one has achieved the highest award in one's field doesn't mean that there aren't more problems to be solved. The Laureates, as a group, seemed to consider their Prizes as an indicator of the importance of their past research, rather than as impetus to coast to the end of their careers.

I attended each of the lectures. I enjoyed Edmund Fischer's talk on protein communication the most because I found it to be one of the more accessible lectures that was presented. On the whole, the lectures revealed to me the stunning intricacy of biological systems.

I attended informal discussions with Leon Cooper and Rudy Marcus. I enjoyed attending the discussion with Professor Marcus. Because his research was unfamiliar to many of the participants, the questions that were asked of him were less focused on science than on his personal experiences.

Meeting and forming lasting friendships with other American and foreign graduate students was equally as valuable an experience as meeting the Nobel Laureates. I realized how much I have in common with other students from all walks of life, and how bright a future there is for science in this world.

The dinner and lunch with Fischer, Smith, and various other scientists affiliated with the Nobel Prize were nice opportunities to benefit even more from the experience of these researchers. Additionally, the dinner with foreign students on the first night in Lindau was a great opportunity to learn about the frontiers of science in other countries.

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Copyright 2002, Oak Ridge Associated Universities

09/23/2003