Venkatraman Ramakrishnan
He shared the Nobel Prize for his work on the structure and function of the ribosome.
Most quoted
"We often think of science as a solitary pursuit, but in reality, it's a highly collaborative enterprise. My work would not have been possible without the contributions of many talented individuals."
— from Acceptance Speech
"Science is a human endeavor, and like all human endeavors, it's full of mistakes, biases, and sometimes even fraud. But it's also the best way we have of understanding the world."
— from Various interviews and lectures
"I think the idea that science is a purely objective, value-free enterprise is a myth. Scientists are human beings, and they bring their own biases and perspectives to their work."
— from Interview/Lecture
All quotes by Venkatraman Ramakrishnan (377)
Science is a process of constantly questioning, not just accepting what's told to you.
The ribosome is a molecular machine of incredible elegance and complexity.
It's a bit like trying to understand how a car works by looking at a pile of nuts and bolts. You need to see how they fit together.
The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds new discoveries, is not 'Eureka!' but 'That's funny...'
I think it's important for scientists to communicate their work to the public, not just to other scientists.
The beauty of science is that it's a self-correcting process.
Curiosity is the engine of scientific discovery.
We are all standing on the shoulders of giants.
The ribosome is the universal translator of the genetic code.
Winning the Nobel Prize is a wonderful recognition, but it doesn't change who you are or what you do.
Science is a human endeavor, with all the strengths and weaknesses that implies.
Don't be afraid to challenge established ideas. That's how progress is made.
The most important thing in science is to have a good question.
Mistakes are an essential part of the scientific process. You learn from them.
The pursuit of knowledge for its own sake is a noble endeavor.
I'm not a great believer in 'Eureka!' moments. It's usually a long, slow process of accretion.
The ribosome is a testament to the power of evolution.
Science is not about certainty, it's about reducing uncertainty.
Collaboration is key in modern science. No one works in isolation anymore.
The joy of discovery is what keeps scientists going.
Contemporaries of Venkatraman Ramakrishnan
Other Chemistrys born within 50 years of Venkatraman Ramakrishnan (1952).