Nobel Prize winner talks to Southampton students
Students enjoyed a unique insight into the life and work of an internationally famous scientist when Dr Venki Ramakrishnan visited Southampton. He shared the 2009 Nobel prize for Chemistry with Thomas Steitz and Ada Yonath for their work on the structure and function of the ribosome.
BioSoc members Tom Vincent and Jodi-Rae Green organised the event, with support from the Faculty of Natural and Environmental Sciences. They invited Venki, then publicised his visit around the campus through posters, email and social media. A tea reception in the Life Sciences building gave 50 undergraduate and postgraduate students and members of staff the opportunity to talk to their distinguished guest.
Venki said he enjoyed meeting students and talking about his work. "When students invite you, it's a particular honour because they're doing it out of a genuine interest in hearing you speak," he said. The visit ended with a lecture to a packed Turner Sims Concert Hall. As well as discussing his research, Venki also revealed what it was like to be presented with the Nobel prize by the Swedish king Carl Gustav, at the ceremony in Stockholm.
Professor Keith Fox says Tom and Jodi-Rae did an excellent job: "It was superb. They made all the arrangements and managed events on the day very well. I am very proud of them."
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