Nobel Heroes@HKUST: Science Titans Inspire Next Generation at Landmark Anniversary Event

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) hosted "Nobel Heroes@HKUST", a special forum featuring four Nobel Laureates who engaged in close interactions with over 400 students, faculty members, and public guests on January 13th. Held as highlight of HKUST's 35th anniversary celebrations, the event underscored the University's dedication to bridging world-renowned scholars with the local community and reinforcing its role as a leading hub for knowledge and talent development.

A group photo of the four Nobel Laureates Prof. Tim HUNT (fifth right), Prof. Louis J. IGNARRO (forth right), Prof. Robert C. MERTON (sixth left), Prof. Konstantin NOVOSELOV (fifth left), HKUST President Prof. Nancy IP (sixth right), HKUST senior management and our esteemed guests. Photo source: HKUST

The Nobel Laureates—honored in Physiology or Medicine, Economic Sciences, Chemistry, and Physics—shared their personal research journeys and insights into the boundless world of scientific discovery. Moderated by HKUST Council Member and Adjunct Professor of the Department of Management, Prof. Poman LO, the forum included vibrant Q&A sessions that explored pressing global challenges and the future of innovation. The distinguish Nobel Laureates were:

Prof. Tim HUNT (Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2001), recognized for discoveries of key regulators of the cell cycle;

Prof. Louis J. IGNARRO (Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1998), honored for revealing the role of nitric oxide as a signalling molecule in the cardiovascular system;

Prof. Robert C. MERTON (Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences 1997), acclaimed for developing a new method to determine the value of derivatives

Prof. Konstantin NOVOSELOV (Nobel Prize in Physics 2010), distinguished for groundbreaking experiments on the two-dimensional material graphene.

Prof. Hunt shared the journey of his team's discovery of the cell cycle regulator, noting that it was initially deemed "theoretically impossible" by the academic community. However, through years of persistent research and repeated verification, they ultimately succeeded in confirming the existence and function of this factor. He emphasized that researchers should focus on exploring fundamental scientific questions with significant impact, rather than being constrained by their immediate practical applications.

Prof. Ignarro recalled how an accidental observation of a postdoctoral researcher's cigarette smoke inspired him to reveal the property of nitric oxide in dilating arteries. He emphasized the importance of curiosity in scientific research and encouraged researchers to embrace innovative thinking and forge their own paths. He also encouraged young researchers to uphold a never-give-up spirit. Drawing on his personal experiences in sports such as baseball, he stressed that the key to success lies in “playing to win,” not merely seeking enjoyment.

Prof. Merton inspired the audience with an analogy from the investment world: risk and return are inseparable—the greater the risk undertaken, the higher the potential return. He emphasized that to pursue more promising opportunities, one must be prepared to accept a corresponding increase in uncertainty.

Prof. Novoselov pointed out that research work should be grounded in genuine passion and curiosity, rather than chasing fleeting trends that lack long-term value. He advised researchers to choose fields that can consistently ignite their enthusiasm for inquiry, avoiding the pitfall of giving up midway due to a mere whim.

HKUST President Prof. Nancy IP extended her heartfelt gratitude to the distinguished Nobel Laureates and the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings for this exceptional partnership, which meaningfully coincides with HKUST's 35th‑anniversary celebrations. She remarked, "Education is not a one-way transmission of facts; it is a vibrant dialogue that stretches the imagination and reshapes assumptions. Today's dialogue is not just an opportunity to meet these esteemed scientists; it is a chance to engage with the very essence of scientific inquiry and discovery. The journeys of our Nobel Laureates exemplify the spirit of curiosity, creativity, innovation, and resilience that we strive to nurture at HKUST. Their achievements demonstrate that science knows no boundaries and that collaboration across disciplines and borders is essential for addressing the challenges we face."

Co-organized by HKUST, Laureates City Holdings Limited, Red Carpet Investments Limited, and Sunwah Kingsway Capital Holdings Limited, and proudly supported by the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings, this event underscores Hong Kong's growing stature as a global hub for innovation, technology, and academic exchange.

Moderated by HKUST Council Member and Adjunct Professor of the Department of Management, Prof. Poman LO (first right), the Nobel laureates engage in an interactive Q&A session with participants. Photo source: HKUST

STAVANGER, Norway (AP) — Jeffrey Epstein repeatedly played up his ties to the former head of the Nobel Peace Prize committee in invitations to and chats with elites like Richard Branson, Larry Summers, Bill Gates and Steve Bannon, a top ally of President Donald Trump, the Epstein files show.

Thorbjørn Jagland, who headed the Norwegian Nobel Committee from 2009 to 2015, turns up hundreds of times in the millions of documents about the former U.S. financier and convicted sex offender that were released by the U.S. Justice Department last month.

Since the release, Jagland, 75, has been charged in Norway for “aggravated corruption” in connection with an investigation prompted by information in the files, the economic crime unit of Norwegian police Økokrim said.

Økokrim has said it would investigate whether gifts, travel and loans were received in connection with Jagland’s position. Its teams searched his Oslo residence on Thursday, plus two other properties in Risør, a coastal town to the south, and in Rauland to the west.

His attorneys at Elden law firm in Norway said Jagland denies the charges, and was questioned by the police unit on Thursday.

While there is no evidence in the documents seen so far of any outright lobbying for the Nobel Peace Prize, Epstein repeatedly played up hosting Jagland at his properties in New York and Paris in the 2010s.

In September 2018, during Trump’s first term and in an apparent allusion to his interest in the peace prize, Epstein had a varied text-message exchange with Bannon, at one point writing — in one of many messages with untidy grammar: “donalds head would explode if he knew you were now buds with the guy who on monday will decide the nobel peace prize.”

“I told him next year it should be you when we settle china,” he added, without elaborating.

In one email from 2013, mixing in investment tips and praise for PR tips, Epstein told British entrepreneur and magnate Richard Branson that Jagland would be staying with Epstein in September that year, adding: “if you are there, you might find him interesting.”

A year after she left a job as White House counsel to President Barack Obama, in 2015, Kathy Ruemmler got an email from Epstein saying: "head of nobel peace prize coming to visit, want to join?"

In 2012, Epstein wrote former Treasury Secretary and Harvard University president Larry Summers about Jagland, saying “head of the nobel peace prize staying with me, if you have any interest.”

In that exchange, Epstein referred to Jagland — also a former Norwegian prime minister and former head of the Council of Europe, a human rights body — as “not bright” but someone who offered a “unique perspective.”

The financier wrote Bill Gates in 2014, saying that Jagland had been reelected as head of the Council of Europe.

“That is good,” the Microsoft co-founder and formerly the world's richest man, wrote. “I guess his peace prize committee job is also up in the air?”

During Jagland's tenure as chair of the committee, it gave the peace prize to Obama, in 2009, and the European Union in 2012.

Jagland was brought into Epstein’s orbit by Terje Rød Larsen, a Norwegian diplomat who helped broker the Oslo Peace Accords between Israel and Palestinians.

Larsen and his wife are also facing corruption charges in Norway due to their association with Epstein.

Associated Press writer Jamey Keaten in Geneva contributed to this report.

The AP is reviewing the documents released by the Justice Department in collaboration with journalists from CBS, NBC, MS NOW and CNBC. Journalists from each newsroom are working together to examine the files and share information about what is in them. Each outlet is responsible for its own independent news coverage of the documents.

FILE - Chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee Thorbjorn Jagland announces the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, at the Nobel Institute in Oslo, Friday Oct. 11, 2013. (Heiko Junge/NTB Scanpix via AP, File)