【Queen Mary Boya’s Lecture】Nobel Laureate Professor Tim Hunt’s Inspirational Lecture Held Successfully

On 15 May, 2025, Nobel Laureate in Physiology and Medicine, Prof. Tim Hunt, was invited to the Queen Mary Boya’s Lecture Hall, and delivered an inspirational lecture entitled “My Life in Science” to over 400 undergraduate student representatives. This event provided young scholars with a platform to interact with a world-leading scientist, stimulating their interest in scientific research, broadening their academic horizons, and offering valuable guidance for their future academic pursuits.

During the lecture, Prof. Hunt used his personal journey as a starting point, emphasizing the essence of scientific research or “discovering the unknown,” and shared the following crucial keys for success in academia based on his own experiences: the exploratory spirit of pursuing truth, the innovative courage to experiment, and the selfless dedication to science. He also advised students to remain grounded, build a solid foundation of knowledge, and avoid unrealistic ambitions.

To illustrate the profound significance of fundamental research, Prof. Hunt presented his groundbreaking work on the cell cycle regulation mechanism found in sea urchin’s fertilized eggs, offering students a vivid glimpse into the world of scientific discovery. The audience listened attentively, gaining firsthand insight into the rigor of academic research and the meticulous process behind scientific inquiry, which helped them develop a clearer understanding of genuine academic work.

In the Q&A session, students raised keen questions about challenges in their own research, to which Prof. Hunt provided thoughtful and inspiring responses, along with fresh perspectives. Many remarked that the discussion was immensely rewarding. The event concluded with a group photo, marking a perfect end to the enlightening exchange.

The lecture was hosted in English by Zhang Jingyi and Chen Wenxi, students of the Class of 2028 from Queen Mary School, and a dynamic and engaging atmosphere was tangibly created. Prof. Hunt expressed appreciation for our students' exceptional English proficiency and intellectual depth.

This up-close interaction with a world-leading scientist not only allowed our students to witness the magnetism of scientific exploration but also planted the seeds of curiosity for the unknown in their minds. Inspired by Prof. Hunt’s example, we believe they will embark on this journey with a scientific and analytic mindset, strengthen their foundational knowledge, and ascend the heights of academia, ultimately infusing new vitality into medical research.

Expert Speaker Profile:
Professor Tim Hunt
Nobel Laureate in Physiology and Medicine

Professor Hunt is a former Honorary Chief Scientist at the Cancer Research UK. Prof. Hunt is a distinguished member of the Royal Society (FRS), American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Academia Europaea, and Foreign Associate of the US National Academy of Sciences. As a pioneer in cell biology, he discovered cyclins (Cyclin A and B), landmark findings that unveiled the molecular machinery governing cell division. This breakthrough revolutionized cancer research and earned him (shared with Lee Hartwell and Paul Nurse) the 2001 Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine.