Original version

BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East

Migrated podcast image for: Outlook

Outlook

Factual: Life Stories

True stories of ordinary people and the extraordinary events that have shaped their lives.

BBC World Service Australasia

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa Schedule

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa

BBC World Service Online

BBC World Service schedule for American satellite radio and the Caribbean

BBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean

BBC World Service

BBC World Service South Asia

BBC World Service News Internet

BBC World Service West and Central Africa Schedule

BBC World Service West and Central Africa

BBC World Service East Asia

Outlook: How to get over it: A tale of passion, pain and Nobel Prizes

Magazines & Reviews

D2_Lemaitre_01.JPG

27/03/2024 GMT

How to get over it: A tale of passion, pain and Nobel Prizes

BBC World Service - Outlook, How to get over it: A tale of passion, pain and Nobel Prizes

Bruno Lemaitre made the discovery of his life – but someone else got the Nobel Prize

How do you cope when you feel your hard work has been overlooked? Bruno Lemaitre tells his story of disappointment – and moving on – after his boss won the Nobel Prize.

Bruno Lemaitre is a scientist who says he fulfils many of the classic stereotypes: socially awkward, a childhood fascination with nature and collecting, and an almost obsessive passion for research. That mix of focus and dogged determination paid off when, in 1996, he made an important discovery about the way the immune system works in fruit flies. The years of hard work and experimentation had been worth it. But there was some intense disappointment to come. Fast-forward fifteen years and the Nobel committee come calling – but it’s the head of the laboratory - Bruno’s boss – who’s been nominated and receives the honour for the discovery. Bruno tells his story of overcoming the intense emotions of feeling overlooked, giving credit where credit’s due, and reflecting on the highs and lows of working in the cut-throat world of scientific laboratories

Presenter: Jo Fidgen
Producer: Anna Lacey

Get in touch: outlook@bbc.com or WhatsApp +44 330 678 2707

(Photo: Scientist Dr Bruno Lemaitre. Credit: Bruno Lemaitre)

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Outlook

How to get over it: A tale of passion, pain and Nobel Prizes

Genres

Formats

Brand

BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East

About BBC World Service