The University Honors and Scholars Center welcomed students, faculty, and staff for the second annual Ohio State Nobel Prize Panel, an annual event that brings global breakthroughs into meaningful conversation at Ohio State. Moderated by Professor David Staley, the panel featured faculty experts whose perspectives spanned the Nobel Prizes of chemistry, physics, economics, literature, and medicine.
“This event gives students the chance to experience the excitement of scholarly achievement,” says Professor Ola Ahlqvist, Associate Vice Provost of Academic Enrichment, Executive Director of the Honors and Scholars Center, and Professor of Geography, “and to engage with faculty whose work reflects the spirit of discovery behind the Nobel Prizes.”
The panel included:
- Dr. Casey Wade, Chemistry & Biochemistry
- Dr. Mohit Randeria, Physics
- Dr. PokSang Lam, Economics
- Dr. Alisa B. Lin, Slavic and East European Languages and Cultures
- Dr. Billur Akkaya, Neurology
Dr. Wade opened the conversation by sharing how scientific breakthroughs often begin with curiosity and imagination. He described how researchers build new materials with surprising capabilities, noting, “Discoveries like these remind us how creativity drives progress,” and how collaborative problem-solving can lead to tools with real-world impact.
Dr. Randeria continued that momentum by reflecting on how physics pushes the boundaries of what we consider possible. He explained that modern experiments allow scientists to observe quantum behavior at scales once thought unimaginable. “It challenges our sense of what’s possible,” he said, emphasizing how even longstanding scientific assumptions can shift with new insights.
As the discussion moved toward the social sciences, Dr. Lam highlighted how innovation fuels economic growth while also reshaping industries and communities. “Progress always comes with tradeoffs,” he explained, emphasizing the need to balance new ideas with thoughtful policy.
From there, the panel transitioned to the humanities, where Dr. Lin explored how literature helps us make sense of uncertainty and change. She described the year’s honored novelist as someone whose writing “calls us to slow down and pay attention,” offering readers a deeper way to understand the world around them.
Rounding out the conversation, Dr. Akkaya introduced students to the body’s immune “peacekeepers” a population of cells whose work informs future treatments for autoimmune disease and cancer. “These discoveries open entirely new ways of thinking about treatment,” she noted, connecting fundamental research to real-world impact.
The audience Q&A showcased the natural curiosity of Ohio State students, who raised thoughtful questions about AI, medicine, economic shifts, and the future of physics. Professor Staley closed the evening by celebrating their engagement:
“In an age when answers are easy to generate, learning to ask good questions is more important than ever.”
Sabrina Henige, third year physics student attendee says, "In physics, research is king and students may feel like an imposter for not understanding the premiere studies. The faculty at this event dissected jargon and packaged the studies in an undergraduate-friendly way. Hearing faculty explain these complex achievements allowed me to feel closer to my community."
As attendees left the event, one theme lingered: the power of interdisciplinary conversation. The panel not only honored the year’s Nobel achievements, but it also highlighted what makes the Honors & Scholars community distinctive: curiosity, connection, and the belief that discovery grows when we explore big ideas together.