Informal session with Nobel laureate, Professor Peter Doherty 

Our Research Fellow, Dr. Tan Shing Cheng, had the rare opportunity to have an informal conversation with a Nobel laureate, Professor Peter Doherty, on 3 March 2022. 

Professor Peter Doherty is the recipient of the 1996 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his discovery of how the immune system recognizes virus-infected cells. 

This small-group, closed-door discussion session was organized by Nobel Media, the company that manages the media rights for the Nobel Prize, in partnership with AstraZeneca and in collaboration with the University of Malaya and the Academy of Sciences Malaysia. 

During the interactive session, Professor Peter Doherty gave a lot of advice on how to excel in the field of medical sciences, based on his decades of experience as a scientist. He also discussed his views on the increasing workload in academia and work-life balance. In addition, he shared his stories on life before and after winning the Nobel Prize, as well as the importance of science communication. He also shared his insights on the future of science. When asked about the most important advice for young scientists, he said that we should not give up what we are doing no matter how difficult things get, although sometimes it is important to take a short break to rejuvenate ourselves. 

We hope this interactive session with Professor Peter Doherty will inspire Dr. Tan to become a better scientist.