Off-Grid Adventure: Scientist Discovers Nobel Prize Win During Three-Week Hiking Expedition

On a recent hiking trip in Montana, Dr. Fred Ramsdell found out he had won the Nobel Prize for Medicine. The news came when his wife, Laura O’Neill, received a flood of texts while they were enjoying their time in the wilderness. Instead of a bear, it was the excitement of winning a prestigious award that broke their peace.

Dr. Ramsdell was unaware of the honor at first. His phone was on airplane mode, so he missed the call from the Nobel committee. When Laura told him the news, he was stunned. “I did not,” he replied, only to hear she had 200 messages confirming it.

Along with two other scientists, Dr. Ramsdell was recognized for their groundbreaking research on how our immune system battles infections. The Nobel Prize comes with a reward of 11 million Swedish kronor, around £870,000.

In a rush for good cell service, the couple drove to a nearby town. By the time Dr. Ramsdell connected with the Nobel committee, it was 1 a.m. in Sweden, making it a tough time for them to take the call. He finally reached his fellow laureates nearly a full day after the committee first tried to contact him. “It was an interesting day,” he said, reflecting on the unique circumstances.

Dr. Thomas Perlmann, head of the Nobel Assembly, noted that reaching Dr. Ramsdell was the toughest task he’d faced since taking on the role in 2016. Meanwhile, a spokesperson from Dr. Ramsdell’s lab humorously pointed out that he was simply enjoying his “best life” outdoors.

This isn’t the first time a Nobel winner has had a surprising experience receiving the news. In 2017, writer Kazuo Ishiguro thought his announcement was a prank until the BBC confirmed it. Similarly, economist Paul Milgrom missed his call because he unplugged his phone, forcing his co-winner to inform him through a security camera. And when Doris Lessing was told she had won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2007, her shocked response was, “Oh, Christ.”

Dr. Ramsdell’s journey to this moment underscores that even in today’s connected world, unexpected situations can lead to thrilling outcomes. His experience is a reminder of how our passions can sometimes lead us away from the noise and straight into the spotlight.

For insights on the evolving research around the immune system, check out Nature Reviews Immunology, a trusted source for the latest scientific studies.

Source link