For the 73rd time, 37 Nobel Laureates and one Fields Medallist met with around 650 young researchers from all over the world at the Nobel Laureate Meeting in Lindau on Lake Constance. Two physicists from Ulm University were among the selected, promising young researchers: the week at Lake Constance was an unforgettable experience for doctoral candidate Mirko Rossini and student Jonas Bock.
Getting inspired and networking, learning new things and making personal acquaintances with Nobel Laureates: that's what this year's Nobel Laureate Meeting from 30 June to 5 July in Lindau on Lake Constance was all about. More than 650 young scientists from all over the world took part in this year's LINO 2024 on topics related to physics. They had gone through a multi-stage selection process and had the opportunity to meet Nobel Laureates in person. Young researchers from Ulm University were among those selected.
PhD student Mirko Rossini is researching the development of algorithms for quantum computers and the interface between quantum mechanics and DNA at the Institute for Complex Quantum Systems. The 30-year-old Italian came to Ulm in 2020 after an Erasmus stay for his doctoral thesis. The days in Lindau and in particular the meeting with the Israeli Nobel Prize winner Dan Shechtman and his wife, a psychology professor, remain in the young physicist's memory. "I spent an entire dinner opposite Professor Shechtman and his wife and was able to ask them everything," says Rossini. "The advice I took away was that research should always be fun and that you simply have to find your field to become an expert in it." Rossini's career at Ulm University continues seamlessly as a post-doc after his doctorate.
Master's student Jonas Bock, who is active on the faculty council and the study commission, made also many enriching encounters and got input for his career.
The state universities present themselves on MS Sonnenkönigin
One of the highlights of the conference is always the boat trip on the MS Sonnenkönigin to the island of Mainau for a picnic together. The crossing on the last day of the conference is organised by "Baden-Württemberg international". Baden-Württemberg's universities and research institutions present themselves on the boat. At the stand of the Ulm Centre for Quantum BioSciences, Professor Martin Plenio demonstrated how quantum technologies are being used to develop even better observation methods for biology and medicine. Among other things, the researchers were interested in the extent to which quantum mechanical phenomena play a role in physiological processes. The scientists are also looking at how quantum technology can be used to better analyse biological and medical phenomena and thus develop new imaging methods. "One successful example I cited was our development of a hyperpolarised MRI, which has now reached market maturity. The first device will be delivered by our start-up NVision in the next few weeks. The young researchers at the Nobel Laureate Meeting were particularly enthusiastic about this topic, which combines fundamental quantum theory with an application in the field of cancer treatment," says Professor Martin Plenio.
Further information on the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting
Text and media contact: Daniela Stang