South African-born biophysicist and Nobel Prize in Chemistry laureate Michael Levitt held a popular science open class for students from Merchiston International School (MIS) and Longhua Foreign Languages Schools at the Longhua Dalang Campus of MIS on April 28. 

During the event, Levitt shared his experiences and insights as a veteran scientist and Nobel Prize laureate in a speech entitled “A Wonderful Life in Science.” He also engaged in a Q&A session focused on the application of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, had face-to-face discussions with teachers and students, and toured the MIS campus.

Hosted by the Shenzhen Center for International Exchange of Personnel and orgainzed by Shenzhen Lighthouse International Education Group and Merchiston International School, the open class aimed to broaden teenagers’ scientific and international horizons by facilitating connections between world-renowned scientists and local students. Through the exchange of stories and research achievements across various cultural backgrounds, students’ interests in delving into scientific topics was further enhanced, thus improving their scientific literacy.

Michael Levitt is the Robert W. and Vivian K. Cahill Professor of Cancer Research in the Department of Structural Biology at Stanford School of Medicine. He holds a courtesy appointment in the Department of Computer Science and is a founding member of Bio-X, an initiative that brings together experts in biology, medicine, chemistry, physics, and engineering. In 2013, Levitt shared the 2013 Nobel Prize in Chemistry with Martin Karplus of the University of Strasbourg in France and Harvard University, and Arieh Warshel of the University of Southern California.