September 03, 2025
Back in the fall of 2024, Brown University PhD student Meg Shieh applied to represent Sigma Xi as a student fellow at the 74th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings in Lindau, Germany. The annual gathering brings together Nobel Prize–winning scientists with the next generation of researchers, offering unparalleled opportunities for mentorship, collaboration, and inspiration.
Shieh was selected in early 2025 and attended the prestigious event this past July. She joined fellow young scientists from around the world, representing diverse disciplines in the natural sciences. Over the course of the week, she engaged in opportunities to connect with 33 Nobel Laureates through lectures, small group discussions, and personal conversations, gaining insights into both groundbreaking scientific research and the human stories behind it.
We recently caught up with Meg to hear about her experience at the six-day event:
Q. What motivated you to apply for Sigma Xi’s Lindau Nobel Student Fellowship?
A. I’m currently a 5th year PhD candidate in Chemistry at Brown University. My research focuses on developing chemical tools and methods to study reactive sulfur species that play critical regulatory roles in human health and disease. In learning that this year’s Lindau meeting carried a chemistry focus, I remembered seeing a news article on the Sigma Xi site about the two students Sigma Xi sent to Lindau in 2024. Coincidentally, I had just been nominated to be a full member of Sigma Xi the previous year.
Q. What was it like to meet and interact with Nobel Laureates in person?
A. It was so cool! We rubbed elbows with Nobel Laureates at breakfast and lunch, and danced with them during evening festivities. They are absolutely brilliant researchers, but they are also actual people. Sounds like common sense, but the feeling was so different! As an example, we talked about AI with John Jumper, but while sitting in a crowd with him waiting for the science diplomacy panel to begin, a few of us had a wonderful discussion with him about the scientific specifics of obtaining the perfect espresso shot.
Q. Was there a particular Nobel Laureate whose talk or advice resonated deeply with you?
A. I can’t pick just one! Martin Chalfie and Morton Meldal told us stories about serendipitous discoveries. Martin also gave us tips on best practices for applying to postdoc positions. Frances Arnold explained how she set up her lab’s mentoring system and encouraged us to think outside the box. Steven Chu emphasized the importance of honest communication.
Q. How did the peer atmosphere of young researchers from around the world influence your experience?
A. It was incredible to meet hundreds of other young scientists from different backgrounds. We had so many dynamic conversations about life (and of course, science). I've come away from this meeting inspired, buzzing with excitement, and with so many new ideas and friendships.
Q. How has attending the Lindau Meetings shaped your perspective on your own research?
A. It really highlighted to me how my research (and the research of others) is like a puzzle piece. Individually, it might be interesting. But by connecting and collaborating, we can piece together the individual parts to form a greater puzzle.
Q. If you could describe your Lindau experience in three words, what would they be?
A. Exciting. Inspiring. Surreal. But also, Lindau’s motto of Educate. Inspire. Connect.
Q. Has the Lindau experience influenced or altered your future goals or path moving forward?
A. I’m wrapping up my PhD now and defending in a couple of months. I’m currently looking for postdoc opportunities. I think this Lindau experience has instilled in me a huge amount of fresh energy, curiosity, and ideas.
Q. What other interesting details would you like to share about the experience?
A. When I started my graduate career, I heard that conferences were like summer camp for nerds. If that’s true, then the Lindau meeting was like nerd camp on steroids. Case in point, there was nothing short of a chaotic and disorderly mad dash and grab, the first time we heard the conference organizers utter the words, “free books.” I feel incredibly lucky and deeply honored to have represented Sigma Xi at the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings. As cheesy as it sounds, I believe that the connections and friendships I’ve made in just that one week will indeed last forever. I have so many wonderful new friends whom I never would have met otherwise. We’re already talking about reunions!
Q. What advice would you give other students considering applying for the Lindau Nobel Student Fellowship?
A. DO IT! (and connect with me over email or LinkedIn if you'd like to chat about it)
Sigma Xi supports student researchers like Shieh through fellowships, mentoring, and opportunities to participate in international scientific forums. Her selection to attend the Lindau Meetings underscores the Society’s commitment to cultivating the next generation of scientific leaders.
Sigma Xi encourages student members to apply for the opportunity to attend future Lindau Nobel Laureate meetings. The application portal is currently open and the deadline to apply for the 2026 event is October 31, 2025.