I want to help young Armenian scientists - Nobel Prize laureate Ardem Patapoutian

YEREVAN, June 16. /ARKA/. Ardem Patapoutian, an American Armenian molecular biologist and neurobiologist who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2021 jointly with David Julius for their discoveries of receptors for temperature and touch has arrived in Armenia to participate in the Science and Business Days 2022 festival organized by the Ministry of Economy.

In an interview with the Public TV of Armenia he spoke about the goals of his visit, noting that he will try to contribute to the development of local science and inspire young scientists.

Ardem Patapoutian was born and lived in Lebanon, in the Armenian quarter of Beirut until he was 17, after which he moved to California, USA.

"I feel myself Armenian, that's my first identity. Everything in Beirut was surrounded by Armenians. I attended an Armenian school, was a member of an Armenian club," Patapoutian said.

After coming to the United States he continued his studies, doing research projects in Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego where he has lived for the past 22 years.

Speaking about the goals of coming to Armenia, Patapoutian said he intends to hold a series of meetings with officials, representatives of the scientific community here and understand how he can apply his powers to inspire young Armenian students in their scientific careers.

"Here in Armenia, we're discussing, trying to figure out how we can collaborate. And perhaps my story, a middle-class man who was able to succeed, can become an inspiring example for other people, for young people," the scientist stressed.

According to him, one of the goals of his visit to Armenia is to find out the state of science, its development level and possibly provide assistance.

Speaking on Armenia's prospects in science Patapoutian singled out Synopsys Armenia technology company and TUMO center of creative technologies, which he had visited. According to him, educational projects of Synopsys Armenia are of great importance for realizing the potential of youth and very talented children study at TUMO.

"What is needed is an infrastructure in which these young people can succeed. Of course, Armenia cannot compete with the United States in terms of science budget, but strategic steps can be taken. A good basis for research work has already been formed here and I am sure that this spirit will be maintained and steps in this direction will be continued," Patapoutian said.

Ardem Patapoutian, the first ethnic Armenian Nobel Prize Laureate, is a professor at the Doris Center for Neuroscience at California's Scripps Research Institute and a Howard Hughes Medical Institute researcher.

Patapoutian was awarded a doctorate from the Mkhitar Heratsi State Medical University in Yerevan and was also elected an honorary member of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia.--0--