On Monday, a professor at school was awarded the highest honor in science: Nobel Prize in Physiology/Medicine. I’m sure the administration is planning a parade, special circus performance, or university-wide champagne toast sometime very soon. The earliest markers of this accomplishment, however, have been festive balloons arranged in the cafeteria to mark the occasion. There wasn’t a sign along with these large balloon garlands to explain their significance, so I’m only inferring that they were erected to say, “HOORAY FOR US!” in light of the massive honor. Inflated plastic may not scream “Ground-breaking scientific revelation!” to all of us, but we are living in a period of limited resources, and a full 12 Harvard Medical School Nobel laureates precede this one. I’m sure they have some type of “Code Nobel!” at work in the upper levels of administration.
Why is it such a big deal that this professor won this award, you might ask? What if crimson and beige vinyl balloons are totally enough, since this man may have been on track to reach this professional height since birth?
Extra Excitement #1: this award is being shared equally between Dr. Szostak and TWO WOMEN, which is the first instance EVER of two women taking home the Physiology/Medicine Nobel at the same time.
Extra Excitement #2: this noble Nobel trio is YOUNG! Compare the fact that their youngest winner is only 48, with Dr. S. himself being a chipper 56 years old, whereas two years ago, the winners were much more homogeneously ancient. No offense. I guess I’m just extra proud of these (relatively) young women earning such a sweet space in the history of science - and hoping that the home institutions of all are already planning to name hallways and local streets after them!
This post has been edited to take a more optimistic tone toward the award winners themselves, and a less harsh perspective on Harvard. Less biting of the hand that awards my diploma, and more celebrating the excellent individuals who make up the broader community. :)
