Steps to build an impactful career in science according to these Nobel Prize winners

At its core, science is about venturing into the unknown. As speaker Professor Ben Feringa, a Nobel Prize winner in Chemistry (2016) said, "If you cannot stand risk and uncertainty, don't become a scientist. Because I don't know what you will discover tomorrow or the day after tomorrow." 

(L to R) Prof Sir Shankar Balasubramanian FRS, Professor Ben Feringa, Prof Randy Schekman, Dr Alice Chen and Mr Hsien-Hui Tong at GYSS. Photo credit: National Research Foundation, Singapore.

Alongside Prof Feringa, the panel Innovation & Entrepreneurship in Science – Transforming Research into Impact, moderated by SGInnovate’s Executive Director of Investments Mr Hsien-Hui Tong, featured Nobel Prize recipient Prof Randy Schekman, 2020 Millennium Technology Prize winner Prof Sir Shankar Balasubramanian FRS and veteran biopharmaceutical expert and investor Dr Alice Chen, Executive Vice President at Accelerator Life Science Partners (ALSP).

Drawing from their illustrious careers, the panellists shared tips on how to navigate scientific careers to create impact. Here are three key takeaways from the session:

The environment you choose to be in can help shape your research direction.

For example, Prof Feringa’s experiences both in academia and industry significantly influenced his research areas. While specialising in catalysis research at Shell cultivated his interest in the subject, returning to academia at the University of Groningen opened his eyes to diverse research fields and new ideas from international researchers. This exposure spurred his curiosity to explore beyond catalysis.

"Such exposure sparks your interests and makes you wonder if you should pursue them,” Prof Feringa shared. “Of course, you have to make choices; and that's what many of you are experiencing now just as I did.” Ultimately, the advice which resonated with him the most was “choose an important problem. Don't just jump on the bandwagon.”

Read: How this scientist is carving her own journey in Singapore's Biotech sector 

In addition, the people you meet, and their experiences can also influence your path. Prof Schekman’s PhD research with the late biochemist Arthur Kornberg and his introduction to the work of cell biologist George Emil Palade were key factors in guiding the direction of his research.

The panel drew a big crowd at the main venue for GYSS, the National University of Singapore (NUS). Photo credit: National Research Foundation, Singapore.

"When I started, there was no biotechnology industry," he recalled. "It was also not typical for cell biologists working in these areas to patent anything." But alongside his graduate students, they utilised techniques from different disciplines such as genetics, biochemistry, and cell biology to identify how cells transport and secrete proteins. This led to significant breakthroughs for the then-nascent biotechnology landscape.

Operating in uncertain circumstances is a fundamental skill for young scientists. Prof Schekman who contributed significantly to the discovery of the genetic basis of vesicle transport in cells, warned against deferring to comfort zones, observing that “unfortunately, too many students and postdocs are too conservative. When something works for them, they [start to] think they’re an expert in that topic.” This traps them in a bubble.

Prof Feringa (L) and Prof Schekman (R) won the Nobel Prize in 2016 and 2013 respectively. Photo credit: National Research Foundation, Singapore.

His advice? Embrace the unknown. “Do a postdoc in a completely different subject using a different approach, system, or question. When you have that leavening experience of working in a different environment, you gain more diverse experiences on which to better base your choice on choosing [a research problem to focus on].”

Moving away from familiar ground is certainly not easy, as Professor Balasubramanian discovered when his postdoc mentor, Stephen Benkovic encouraged him to carve out his own career by leaving the comfort of the lab and everything he was familiar with.

"I remember feeling a little upset at the time," he shared, "having to leave behind everything I knew and loved to search for something new and undefined." Yet, that challenging advice became the cornerstone of his success. A lesson he now shares with aspiring researchers from his lab who have gone on to form their own labs.

He went on to become the co-creator of the Solexa sequencer—which made rapid, large-scale DNA sequencing possible. “Risk, and also whether something works or not,” Prof Balasubramanian said, “tends to be a rather subjective reflection of expectation. Working on a well-established problem alongside countless others can be equally risky," he argued. "You're constantly looking over your shoulder, chasing originality in a moving window of research."

2020 Millennium Technology Prize winner Prof Sir Balasubramanian. Photo credit: National Research Foundation, Singapore.

Instead, he offered a different perspective on risk. "I think it’s far less risky to be the first person on the moon and report on what you’ve observed because no one’s done it.” Similarly, Prof Feringa encouraged, "The beginning of your career is the time to be more daring, to embrace risks and avoid playing it safe."

For instance, Prof Feringa’s students, despite not being experts in polymer chemistry, are making important discoveries for the future of sustainable chemistry by creating an industry-standard coating made from just oxygen, wood remains, and sunlight that could replace current petrochemical-based materials.

Prof Feringa sees the translation of lab research into impactful real-world applications as a “great adventure” and encourages more young scientists to embark on this journey. “Be confident about your own possibilities.”

Read: How a career obstacle unlocked this software engineer’s passion for programming

Relying on a single investor rarely fulfils all your needs. Startups at different stages have unique needs and identifying a suitable venture capital (VC) syndicate to support your journey is crucial.

As Dr Chen advised, “You figure out which investors have the [necessary] connections, which have the technical background, or which would have the commercialisation capabilities, etc. So that you build a syndicate that will best provide for your company.”

Thorough research and consultations with experienced individuals will guide your search for the ideal syndicate partners. She emphasised, "Before forming a syndicate, talk to people who have navigated similar journeys, who understand the space, and who can offer insights to help you identify your company's needs. [Then, armed with this knowledge, you can confidently seek out the right partners]."

In the same vein, Prof Balasubramanian also highlighted how diverse perspectives fuel innovation. Contrary to popular belief, he clarified that Solexa’s creation was not the outcome of a single brainstorming session over a beer but over iterative brainstorming sessions.

He further stressed the importance of collaboration by recalling the invaluable role their VC played in shaping Solexa’s business acumen. "They were nurturing. David [co-inventor of Solexa, Professor Sir David Klenerman] and I knew nothing about money and business, but they asked the right questions, helping us shape our thinking and structure the beginnings of a company."

Ultimately, it is this very collaborative nature of innovation that will lead to the greatest breakthroughs. As Prof Balasubramanian aptly stated: “One of the most enjoyable parts of science is just jousting with your peers about ideas, bouncing ideas around. This is for free, and it’s rapid.”

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