74th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting - Chemistry

From the very first session, it was clear that this week would be some­thing special. More than 30 Nobel Laureates and around 600 young researchers from all over the world gathered at Lake Constance, and despite the impressive titles and achievements, the atmo­sphere was open, curious, and approachable from the very beginning. As a doctoral candidate at the Chair of Technical Electrochemistry at TU Munich, I had the honor to participate in the meeting, which this year was entirely dedicated to chemistry.

The mornings began with inspiring lectures by the Nobel Laureates, ranging from ground­breaking scientific discoveries to personal insights into career paths, setbacks, and research ethics. During the afternoon Open Exchange Sessions, Science Walks, or simply over coffee on the terrace, there were many opportuni­ties for open dialogue.

A special highlight was the Bavarian Evening, an inter­cultural celebration with brass music, a Bavarian buffet, and traditional clothing from around the world. On the last day, a joint boat trip to the island of Mainau brought all partici­pants together once again - a memorable conclusion to an intense week.

What impressed me the most was the diversity of perso­nalities among the Nobel Laureates, not only in their research but also in their atti­tudes, ways of thinking, and life journeys.

Particularly fascinating for me was the lecture by John Jumper, who is setting new standards in protein structure prediction with AlphaFold, as well as the exchange with Steven Chu, who spoke about his time at Bell Labs and his experiences as U.S. Secretary of Energy. Both made it clear: science is not a straight­forward path, but one shaped by detours, doubts, and the willingness to explore new directions. A quote by Enrico Fermi, which was mentioned several times during the week, captures this spirit perfectly: “There are two possible outcomes: if the result confirms the hypo­thesis, then you've made a measure­ment. If the result is contrary to the hypothesis, then you've made a discovery.” This perspective - research as a constant search, even beyond one’s own expectations - left a lasting impression on me. Also, Reinhard Genzel, with whom I had the opportunity to meet at the Laureate Lunch, took plenty of time for our questions, whether about dark matter, academic careers, or leadership in research.

Besides the conversations with the Laureates, the exchange with other young researchers was especially enriching for me. Every bus ride and every waiting time was used for discussions, be it about enzyme catalysis, PFAS water purifi­cation, or science policy. It was inspiring to see how much curiosity, idealism, and commitment young scientists from all over the world dedicate to their work.

I am very grateful for this special experience and for the Elite Network of Bavaria for making my participation possible. Alongside many wonderful memories, I return from this week with renewed motivation, a strengthened sense of identity as a scientist, and numerous new connections. The “Lindau Spirit” continues to resonate - in conversations, thoughts, and certainly in my future research.

Text: Vivian Meier (Technische Universität München)