On 22 April 2025, students from DiscoverSTEM experienced an extraordinary moment as they had the rare opportunity to meet two Nobel Laureates – Dr. Aziz Sancar (Nobel Laureate, 2015) and Dr. Johann Deisenhofer (Nobel Laureate, 1988). This extraordinary opportunity provided our young researchers with invaluable insights, inspiration, and appreciation of their scientific pursuits.

What made this meet-up truly exceptional wasn’t simply the presence of Nobel Laureates, but the depth of engagement between these scientific luminaries and our students. This wasn’t merely a photo opportunity or casual introduction – it was a genuine exchange of research experiences spread close to three hours.

DiscoverSTEM students confidently presented their original research projects to Dr. Sancar and Dr. Deisenhofer, who listened attentively, asked probing questions, and offered invaluable feedback. The Nobel Laureates engaged with each student, providing thoughtful recommendations and encouraging our young researchers to explore new directions in their innovation and research endeavors.

The interaction was not limited to formal presentations. It was an inspiring exchange where our students were treated as fellow researchers – questioned, challenged, and appreciated. In a notable moment, Dr. Deisenhofer praised our student’s work with a comment – “That’s remarkable work!”

This event marks a significant achievement in our mission to nurture the next generation of researchers and innovators through meaningful global academic experiences.