On October 25, the 2024 World Top Scientists Forum kicked off in Shanghai, alongside the award ceremony for the 2024 World Top Scientists Association. Among the distinguished guests, Jon Kleinberg, a professor of computer science and information science at Cornell University, received the “Intelligent Science or Mathematics Award.” Jeremy Nathans, a professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and a researcher at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, was honored with the “Life Sciences or Medicine Award.”
Both of these top scientists were visiting Shanghai for the first time and found themselves in what they described as a city brimming with excitement for scientific innovation. During a media briefing, they repeatedly echoed one word to describe their initial impressions of the city: “passion.”
Since their arrival, Kleinberg and Nathans participated in various science outreach events that sparked discussions across multiple universities, research institutions, and high schools in Shanghai.
“This week has been incredibly enjoyable for us,” Kleinberg shared. He met many colleagues and students during the events, noting the evident enthusiasm for science among attendees. “We not only witnessed people’s passion for science but also learned about the research fields that intrigue the next generation of scientists. It’s been quite rewarding.”
Nathans added, “Shanghai is a highly energetic city. The teachers and students I encountered here are so enthusiastic about science. I can actually feel the energy vibrating in the air.”
What does “passion” mean in the context of scientific innovation? The personal experiences of these two award-winning scientists may provide some insight.
For nearly three decades, Kleinberg has been a leading figure in information technology, focusing on areas such as the information and social structure of the web, social networks, and machine learning. His research crosses over multiple disciplines, including computer science, mathematics, and economics. He has not only tackled significant challenges within these fields but has also facilitated collaboration among researchers, helping to address emerging social issues.
Kleinberg’s drive stems from his enthusiasm for science. “I have a deep interest in computer science, mathematics, sociology, and law,” he explained, leading him to seek connections and collaborations between computer science and other disciplines.
When discussing passion, Nathans referenced another great scientist—Isaac Newton. “Newton saw himself as a child playing on the beach, wanting to find the next beautiful shell after discovering one,” Nathans remarked, emphasizing that scientific research is akin to exploring the ocean of truth.
Nathans himself has made remarkable discoveries, such as identifying the molecular basis for trichromatic vision and mapping out the amino acid sequence of visual proteins. In 1983, as a new graduate student at Stanford University School of Medicine, he successfully cloned the visual protein genes from both cows and humans.
In the 1980s, Nathans elucidated the molecular basis of color blindness, revealing that the arrangement of red and green photopigment genes on chromosomes can lead to abnormal recombinations, causing gene deletions. Collaborating with James Lupski, Nathans identified the pathogenic gene for Stargardt disease, the most common early-onset hereditary macular degeneration. He and his collaborators also demonstrated that genetically modified mice could develop trichromatic vision, where they had previously only recognized two primary colors.
For Nathans, the joy of discovering one beautiful shell after another fuels his scientific curiosity. “Earlier, we visited a high school in Shanghai and had a wonderful time there,” he reflected on his interactions with students. During his acceptance speech, he reiterated the importance of fostering curiosity in children, stating, “Children are natural scientists; they have an innate curiosity about the world.”
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