Frances Arnold
She was awarded the Nobel Prize for her work on directed evolution, creating new enzymes.
Most quoted
"I tell my students, 'If you're not failing, you're not trying hard enough.' And then I tell them, 'But don't fail *too* much, because then you won't get a grant.'"
— from Interview/Talk
"The beauty of directed evolution is that it doesn't require us to understand everything about biology. It just requires us to be good at setting up experiments."
— from Scientific American interview
"The most beautiful, complex, and functional objects on the planet have been made by evolution. We can use it to make things that no human knows how to design."
— from Speech
All quotes by Frances Arnold (425)
The beauty of science is in its ability to reveal the hidden elegance of the universe.
Don't be afraid to fail. Failure is just another data point on the path to discovery.
My children are my greatest experiment, and the most rewarding.
The Nobel Prize is wonderful, but the real prize is the joy of discovery itself.
There's a certain magic in coaxing nature to do what you want, one mutation at a time.
I often feel like an explorer, venturing into uncharted molecular territory.
The biggest breakthroughs often come from unexpected places. Keep an open mind.
Balancing family and a demanding career is a constant experiment in itself.
The universe is full of possibilities, and we're just beginning to scratch the surface.
I find immense satisfaction in seeing my work contribute to solving real-world problems.
Never underestimate the power of a good question.
My lab is my second home, filled with brilliant minds and endless curiosity.
The thrill of a successful experiment is truly intoxicating.
We are all just trying to make sense of the world, one molecule at a time.
The best ideas often come when you're not actively looking for them.
My passion for science is as strong today as it was when I first started.
It's important to celebrate the small victories, as they pave the way for the big ones.
The future of chemistry is in harnessing nature's own ingenuity.
I wouldn't trade the challenges and triumphs of my career for anything.
Collaboration is key. No great discovery is made in isolation.
Contemporaries of Frances Arnold
Other Chemistrys born within 50 years of Frances Arnold (1956).