Kavli Oxford postdoctoral fellow selected to attend prestigious 75th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting

Kavli Oxford postdoctoral fellow selected to attend prestigious 75th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting

Dr Wenjie Liu, a Marie Curie postdoctoral fellow in the Kukura Lab, recently attended the invitation-only Lindau Meeting 2026.

 

A young man stands in front of a colorful neuron-themed display at the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings. Beside him, a large orange circle reads, '75 Years and Beyond – Science Transcending Borders.'

Photo: Dr W Liu

 

One of the world’s leading forums for exchange between Nobel Laureates and early-career researchers, this year’s interdisciplinary programme brought together more than 600 outstanding young scientists from around the world with Nobel Laureates from across the scientific disciplines. Dr Liu was chosen as a participant through a competitive selection process recognising academic excellence and research potential.

 

Two conference attendees pose together in front of a large Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings display. The older person on the left wears a dark suit jacket, the younger person on the right wears a white T-shirt and patterned trousers.

Barry Marshall (left), Nobel Laureate in Physiology/Medicine 2005 for for his 'discovery of the bacterium Helicobacter pylori and its role in gastritis and peptic ulcer disease', with Dr Wenjie Liu (right). Photo: Dr W Liu

Six outdoor flags stand beside trees, including Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings banners and the flags of Bavaria, Germany, Sweden, and the European Union.

Photo: Dr W Liu

 

Three conference attendees stand side by side against a white wall, smiling. The person on the left wears a beige short-sleeve shirt and glasses, the person in the center wears a dark T-shirt and glasses, the person on the right wears a green shirt.

Barry Sharpless, Nobel Laureate in Chemistry 2001 and 2022 (middle) with Dr Wenjie Liu (right). Professor Sharpless, is one of only five scientists in in history to win a Nobel Prize twice, in 2001 for 'his work on chirally catalysed oxidation reactions', and in 2022 for 'for the development of click chemistry and bioorthogonal chemistry'. Photo: Dr W Liu

 

During the week, participants attended lectures, panel discussions and small-group sessions addressing subjects ranging from fundamental discovery and emerging technologies to the role of science in responding to global challenges. The programme also provided opportunities for young researchers to discuss their work, exchange ideas across disciplines and develop international research networks.

 

The Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings were established in 1951 to encourage scientific and personal exchange across generations, disciplines and cultures. Their annual meetings have developed into an internationally recognised platform connecting Nobel Laureates with promising researchers at the beginning of their careers. Reflecting Kavli Oxford’s interdisciplinary approach, Dr Liu’s participation offered an opportunity to build connections beyond his immediate area of expertise and to explore new perspectives on scientific discovery.

 
Attendees converse around a standing table during a networking reception, with drinks in hand and other guests mingling in the warmly lit background.

Photo: Dr W Liu

 

It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I had the opportunity to meet many Nobel Laureates and young scientists from around the world, engage in inspiring conversations with them, and discuss both research and life. I learned an incredible amount from the experience. – Dr Wenjie Liu