Nobel laureate visits Chinese university

Michael W. Young, Nobel Prize Laureate in Physiology or Medicine for 2017, recently visited Zhejiang University and the University of Science and Technology of China as part of the Nobel Prize Inspiration Initiative, a program launched by AstraZeneca, a leading global science-led biopharmaceutical company, and Nobel Media AB that uses a range of events to spread knowledge and interest in the Nobel Prizes.

During his three-day visit, Young delivered a series of keynote speeches, exchanged ideas with students and faculty, discussed his insights on cutting-edge research and academic achievements and shared his own inspirational stories to motivate young Chinese students' innovation and exploration of science.

"I am very pleased to be participating in the Nobel Prize Inspiration Initiative, which gives me the chance to meet many aspiring young Chinese scientists and researchers," Young said. "I hope that by relaying my own experiences, I can reinforce their curiosity and their hopes to explore and extend the boundaries of science."

This is the sixth time the NPII was held in China. The program is designed to bring Nobel laureates into closer contact with the global scientific community, especially with an audience of young scientists, sharing their inspirational stories and insights to ignite the next generation's enthusiasm and pursuit of science.

Young, an American geneticist and currently the vice president of academic affairs and head of the genetics laboratory at Rockefeller University, delivered a lecture, "Genes that control sleep and circadian rhythms", during the visit, sharing research findings in gene mutations that lead to delayed sleep phase disorder.

Young also participated in a series of informal roundtable discussions to interact with young scientists and students.

"Professor Young's enthusiasm, dedication and perseverance in scientific research have set an example for researchers," said Huang Bin, vice-president of AstraZeneca China, and head of the company's Corporate Affairs and Market Access. "As an innovation-driven company with strong corporate social responsibility, AstraZeneca is committed to pushing the boundaries of science to deliver life-changing medicines. We will continuously increase investment in innovation, encourage scientific exploration, and rise to the global challenges in medicine.

"Through the NPII, we hope to facilitate exchange between the world's top scientists and young Chinese researchers, inspiring a new generation of scientists to advance the development of medicine and healthcare."

In 2017, Young, Jeffrey C. Hall and Michael Rosbash were jointly awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their discoveries of molecular mechanisms controlling circadian rhythms.

Nobel Media AB is a company that spreads knowledge about Nobel Prize-awarded achievements and stimulates interest in science, literature and peace in line with Alfred Nobel's vision and legacy.