Science evolves, and so should we

When a public figure makes a mistake, there's probably something we can all learn from it

Three years ago, I was working alone in the lab when the phone rang. On the other end, much to my surprise, was a Nobel prize winner asking to collaborate. That phone call led to a successful research project, the results of which were published earlier this year.

I recall the initial meeting we had, and voicing my concerns as to how I would be credited in the final publication - should it be successful - as it would require a reasonable amount of my time and access to methods that I was still in the process of developing. His answer was simple: look at his publication record and I would see he treats his collaborators well. Something I too can now attest. This kind of discussion is normal between scientists to establish boundaries; but importantly, the differences in the stages of our careers and our accolades never came into the discussion. Instead, any credit was discussed on the merits of what each of us could contribute to that specific piece of research.