Edvard I. Moser：Henan, A Suitable Place for Scientific Research

　　On September 13, Western Returned Scholars Association (Overseas-educated Scholars Association of China)- The 6th Annual Returned Scholars’ Summit of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Zhengzhou was held in Zhengzhou with the theme of “creating a better Central Plains with knowledge learnt overseas”.

Photographed by Li Liqiang

　　Among foreigners attending this annual summit, Edvard I. Moser is absolutely a heavyweight. On October 6, 2014, he and his then-wife May-Britt Moser, together with their mentor John O’Keefe were awarded 2014 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their discoveries of cells that constitute a positioning system in the brain. Edvard I. Moser and May-Britt Moser is the 5th married couple to be awarded a Nobel Prize.

　　Edvard I. Moser explains his research contents this way: “Almost everyone can locate where they are in a space. But where is the navigation system of the brain and how do the nerve cells in the brain work?” After extensive studies, he discovered GPS cells that make up the brain’s positioning system. It was because of this discovery that he received the Nobel Prize.

　　When asked about his impression of Henan, Edvard I. Moser frankly said that he had never known Henan enjoys such a vast territory, a long history and profound culture. Henan is inputting more and more in education and innovation and gaining momentum in economic growth. I look forward to Henan developing faster in the future.

　　Photographed by Yin Haitao

　　Edvard I. Moser gave high marks to the building of Zhengzhou-Luoyang-Xinxiang Self-dependent Innovation Demonstration Zone. He said, increasing the S&T innovation capability calls for a long-term investment, especially in fundamental science. The fundamental science needs a lot of time and money, and it may produce the desired result in decades; so scholars must have a strong will to stick with it. On the other hand, scholars should also have the spirit of adventure. Although scientific researches may fail in most cases, they, once succeeding, will produce an extremely high return. So we should give more encouragement and patience to talents working on fundamental researches, especially in some risky projects. Innovation often comes from some amazing or even “crazy” thoughts, while such thoughts may largely occur in young brains. We should be more patient and encourage them to work hard. In so doing, I believe more and more Chinese scientists will receive the Nobel Prize.

　　In recent years, more and more Henan students choose to study abroad and return to work. Edvard I. Moser suggested that “studying abroad is of significance, for scholars can learn more new knowledge and thinking in other countries. Henan’s related departments should create a sound research environment so that they are willing to come back. At the same time, it should make full use of such advantage to deepen the exchange and cooperation with foreign countries. Henan is developing very fast, and it has been a suitable place for scientific researches.”