Noble Nobelist Visits Classical

Classical High School hosted a two hour talk plus Q&A session with Sir Richard J. Roberts, Ph.D., winner of the 1993 Nobel Prize in Physiology / Medicine for his discovery introns in human DNA and the mechanism for using restriction enzymes for gene-splicing . Honors and Advanced Placement science students were able to spend quality time with the molecular biologist on Friday morning, 3/11/2011. The rest of the school listened in by TV from their classroom.

Born in England and receiving his degrees from Sheffield University, he was a scholar at Harvard University, Cambridge University, and was Assistant Director of Research at the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratories. He is presently Chief Scientific Officer at New England Biolabs in Beverly, MA. Sir Richard was knighted by the Queen of England in 2008.

Did our students understand his topics and relate to his visit? Superbly!! Dr. Roberts was personable, funny, and had us listening to his every word. The Question and Answer session was seriously entertaining. Students asked insightful, and at times, humorous questions that Dr. Roberts handled quite smoothly. Students comments ranged from "Inspiring" and "I want to be a Nobel Prize winner" to "I want to dedicate my life to helpful research."

Thanks to all who made this unique opportunity possible for us, especially Dr. Ed Shapiro shown below, and his organization Nobel Lectures, Inc.

Mr. Creamer would like to thank everyone for the help with the Nobel laureate lecture this morning and over the last few weeks.

"Thank you to Mr. Constantino for finding us such an engaging and inspirational speaker, Mr. Weier and Mr. Smart for setting up the AV and auditorium, Ms. Grenier and Mr. Brass and their student teams for broadcast, web coverage and photos, and to Ms. Moriarty, Ms. Lander and Mr. Winchester and all teachers for allowing your students to miss class and watch or attend, Dr. Johnston, Ms. Pisanelli and Ms. Durant and others in guidance for amazing logistical support, and Ms. Dunn and Ms. Lyle for an Earl Grey tea tactical mission, Ms. Jamieson for your markers and Mr. Waldron for your tape so the students could make welcome signs, and to the faculty and staff who popped in to speak with Dr. Roberts and make him feel welcome, and to the many, many I am certain to have forgotten to thank. Please know I appreciate it and this morning could not have went so swimmingly without you. The question before us is: how can we top this one? "