Media release
May 16, 2008
IRL young scientist selected for Nobel Laureate meeting
A young researcher at Industrial Research Limited (IRL) has been selected to attend a prestigious meeting in Germany
which brings together Nobel prize winners with young scientists.
James Storey – who is undertaking post-doctoral research in high temperature superconductivity (HTS) at IRL -– is one of
only two New Zealand students who will be attending. He will join around 500 students from all over the world chosen to
attend the event, held each year since 1951 in the southeastern German city of Lindau, on Lake Constance.
“I’m sure all scientists dream of one day making a discovery of worldwide significance.
This is a fantastic opportunity to meet and learn from researchers who have done just that”, he says. “I am both excited
and proud to be representing New Zealand at this meeting.”
Each year, the meeting focuses on a specific scientific discipline and this year’s is dedicated to physics. Around 20
Nobel Laureates will be attending and and the students will have a chance to talk to them during informal group
discussions. The meeting, which takes place between 29 June and 4 July, also includes panel discussions and lectures by
the Laureates.
The Royal Society of New Zealand is responsible for selecting the New Zealand students, who are then subject to
endorsement by the Lindau meeting organisers.
Peter Gilberd of the Royal Society says the selectors are looking for people who are enthusiastic about science in
general and their work in particular.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for these young scientists to form networks that they can use in their current and
future research and we look for good communicators and people who will be good representatives for New Zealand.”
James has been with IRL for five years and his current research involves performing computational studies and
thermopower measurements on HTS conductors.
After attending the Lindau meeting, James will be going to further his post-doctoral research in Cambridge, England.
ENDS