Features
Lessons hidden in Nobel laureate’s career
By Panduka Karunanayake
This year’s Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman for their work on mRNA technology that combined Biochemistry and Immunology. Their work formed the foundation for the mRNA vaccines that helped control the COVID-19 pandemic and probably saved millions of lives. It also has the potential to contribute towards applications in stem cell research and gene therapy, which may lead to treatment options for lethal diseases that currently have few or none.
Their work is an excellent example of scientific research that pursues unusual or unorthodox lines of inquiry that eventually leads to a major breakthrough and beneficial applications. Such research requires long periods of gestation and carries a high risk of ‘drawing a blank’. But it forms the basis for major advances in science and knowledge. Success stories like this help to highlight an important aspect about knowledge: a knowledge that is considered ‘useless’ today may turn out to be lifesaving tomorrow. To put it the other way around: all knowledge has value. To limit the pursuit of knowledge to only those aspects that are considered ‘useful’ at present is to limit the realisation of the full potential of the human mind.
However, scientists who pursue such unorthodox lines of inquiry face enormous challenges. More often than not, their efforts don’t yield positive results or their careers are cut short or diverted to other lines of inquiry. As a result, humanity may lose many valuable ideas, forever. If we truly value their originality, commitment and effort, the wider society must put in place mechanisms that protect their careers and provide them with facilities. One of the most important places where this happens is academia – universities are naturally thought of as spaces that provide academic freedom and career stability through the guarantee of employment (this is called ‘tenure’ in the West or ‘confirmation’ in Sri Lanka).
Kariko’s career
In this context, the remarkable career of 68-year-old Hungarian-born biochemist Katalin Kariko has important lessons.After Kariko’s lab in Hungary lost funding in 1985, she and her young family migrated to the US. Her work thereafter pursued unusual directions – a propensity she appears to have shown through her career.
While she was working on mRNA-based gene therapy at the University of Pennsylvania, the field of mRNA as a whole fell out of favour in the scientific community. She found it increasingly difficult to find research grants for her work. The result was that her own career progress suffered, because she was unable to become promoted to a full professor, and what is worse, after repeated grant rejections, the University actually demoted her in 1995. Can you believe it? A future Nobel laureate was not merely not promoted but was actually demoted by her university – not because her work was below par but because it could not attract research grants, and not because it wasn’t scientifically sound but because it wasn’t mainstream enough!
The pivotal 1990s
This was not an isolated incident taking place in a vacuum. The 1990s was a time when sweeping changes were taking place throughout the world and in academia. In the world, the failed experiment of the Soviet bloc fell like dominos and the world became unipolar, driven by neoliberal economics emerging from Washington. The dictates of the World Bank came to dominate all walks of life – including the scientific enterprise, which was ‘handed over’ to the corporate industry.
Judging the ‘value’ of a project shifted from focusing on its inherent value to anticipating its outcome. Naturally, the outcomes that mattered were the short-term, measurable outcomes, especially those that produced profits. Scientific research had to pass the test of ‘utility’ to get financial support. Unorthodox lines of inquiry would not fit the bill – so if states did not support them, nobody would. The fate that befell Kariko’s work was not unusual for such lines of inquiry, and it is even more pronounced today.
But what is even sadder is that it wasn’t just research funds that became harder for her to get. Even her promotion became harder – the criteria to obtain the promotion have come to include fund generation more and more, so that fund-raising to keep the university running has become more important for promotion than the scientific merit or the intellectual rigor of one’s work. In Kariko’s case, it went so far as to hand her a demotion! Such is how World Bank dictates have dominated academia since the 1990s in the West and elsewhere. Today, you would find postdoctoral scientists who have lost their academic jobs and ended up as taxi drivers in countries such as Singapore.
Another evocative tale was that of Stanley Prusiner, who throughout the 1970s and 1980s carried out research on what is now called prions: living matter that does not use nucleic acids but proteins to transmit heritable traits from one generation to the next. Prusiner’s view – which was unorthodox if anything ever was – was heavily criticised by his colleagues. But the importance of his work became evident in the 1990s with the emergence of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (‘mad cow disease’) and similar diseases in humans. He was, fortunately, able to continue his research throughout that period without getting demoted or losing his job, because that was before the pivotal 1990s. Eventually, Prusiner was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1997.
Lessons for us
According to the existing statute for higher education in our country (the Universities Act No. 16 of 1978 and its amendments), academics have been given a lot of freedom to determine the criteria for their own promotion. But unfortunately, in recent times, the academic hierarchy has been following the dictates of utilitarianism and ‘audit culture’ with increasing willingness and decreasing critical examination. Even the work in academia is shifting from actual academic work to work that serves the audit culture and managerialist practices, which undermines academic freedom and creates a top-down approach to academic direction. On top of that, the current government is planning to bring in a new statute, and what changes it would make to academic freedom remains to be seen.
What is important is to keep in mind that consequentialist methods, which judge the value of an action through short-term, easily measurable outcomes, shift the scientists’ focus away from their long-term role for the wider society to the short-term gains of the corporate industry. The academics are compelled to work for the prevailing official priorities of their workplace rather than for the weal of the wider society. The academics themselves can (and do) easily adjust to this situation and still go on to have successful careers, but the real losers are the silent segments of the wider society, whose needs are not the industry’s concern. Gradually, one of humanity’s greatest resources – the scientific mind – is put in the service of one small segment of society.
It is a time for our own academics to be informed and be vigilant. Otherwise, the days may not be far off when academics who follow independent lines of scientific inquiry or make an attempt to serve the wider society are demoted or sent off to drive three-wheelers. Along with that, the real value of original thinking could be lost, for the sake of industrial profits. The university is an odd place, because the academics go there to work, but actually (should) work for the benefit of not their workplace but the wider society from which it derives its fuller sustenance. Academics, especially academic scientists, must remember that.
Organisations that are supposed to serve the advancement of science ought to look at this seriously too. A science that does not serve the wider society is unjustifiable and valueless, because in the end it is that wider society that gives recognition and sustenance to the scientific enterprise.
Perhaps, we should not yet celebrate the rare success stories like Kariko’s. We should instead lament the many ideas that must have been lost to humanity, silently and forever. We should try to make such success stories more commonplace. We must protect academic freedom, for society’s sake. We must foster a direct relationship between scientists and the wider society.
The writer is a professor in the University of Colombo. The views expressed are his.
With reports emerging that India has attacked some ‘sites’ in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, the question could be posed whether the stage has just been set for yet another costly India-Pakistan military conflict. Sensible opinion in South Asia could only hope that wise counsel would sooner rather than later come to prevail on both sides of the divide and that they would draw back from the brink of full-scale war.
The states concerned ought to know fully well the possible wide-ranging weighty consequences of another regional conflict. It should be plain to see that it would benefit none in the two theatres of confrontation, most particularly the relevant publics or the ‘Silent Majority’.
In fact, in connection with the mentioned initial military attacks, the Pakistani side has gone on record that some civilian lives have been lost. Such losses could burgeon in the event of full scale hostilities. These costs could of course be staggering and unimaginable in the event the nuclear option is resorted to by the sides, going forward.
Accordingly, the hope of the peace-loving world-wide is likely to be that India and Pakistan would give negotiations a chance and resolve their differences peacefully. It would be in the best interests of the world for the champions of peace to join their voices to that of UN chief Antonio Guterres and call on the sides to negotiate an end to their differences.
The utter helplessness and misery of the people of the Gaza ought to drive home afresh the horrors of war. Currently the news is that the Gazans are literally starving to death. Food and other essentials provided by UN agencies are reportedly being prevented by Israel from getting to the hapless people of Gaza. So dire is their situation that concerned quarters are calling on the compassionate worldwide to provide the Gazans with food, water and other essentials voluntarily. This SOS would need to be heeded forthwith.
Accordingly, it could be inferred that most formal arrangements, including those that are generally under the purview of the UN, geared to providing emergency humanitarian assistance to the needy, have, for all intents and purposes, been rendered ineffective in the Gaza. The UN cannot be faulted for this state of things; rather, Israel should be held accountable in the main for it.
The matter of accountability is central to the dramatic slide into lawlessness the world has been experiencing over the past few decades. As could be seen, International Law is no longer fully applicable in the conflict and war zones of the world because it is not being adhered to by many state and non-state aggressors. That the UN is hapless in the face of such lawlessness is plain to see.
We have of course the Middle East wherein International Law has fallen silent for quite a while. How could it be otherwise, when Israeli aggressions are being winked at by the US, for which the policy of backing Israel is almost sacrosanct?
Moreover, under President Donald Trump, it is difficult to see the US changing policy course on the Middle East. Trump made vague promises of bringing peace to the region in the run-up to his reelection but has done nothing concrete by way of peace-making. Consequently, complete lawlessness prevails in the Middle East. US policy towards Israel counts as another example of how the self- interest of US central administrations blinds them to their international obligations, in this case Middle East peace.
However, the commentator could be criticized as being biased if he holds only Israel responsible for what has befallen the Middle East. It has been the position of this columnist that Israel’s security needs should be taken cognizance of by its state and non-state adversaries in the Middle East and acted upon if the basis is to be laid for a durable Middle East peace. Inasmuch as Palestinian statehood must be guaranteed, the same should be seen as applicable to Israel. The latter too enjoys the right to live in a secure state of its own, unopposed by its neighbours.
The Ukraine of today is also sad testimony to the ill consequences of powerful, aggressor states wantonly disregarding International Law and its obligations. Nothing could justify Russia in invading Ukraine and subjecting it to a condition of Longsuffering. Clearly, Ukraine’s sovereignty has been violated and such excesses go to the heart of the current state of ‘International Disorder’. Of course the same stricture applies to the US in relation to its military misadventures in Afghanistan and Iraq, to name just two such modern examples.
There is no ducking the fact, then, that civilian publics in the mentioned theatres of war and outside, are being subjected to the worst suffering as a consequence of the big powers’ self-aggrandizement schemes and military misadventures. Longsuffering becomes the tragic lot of the people who have nothing to do with such unbridled power ambitions.
One would not be exaggerating the case if he states that civilian publics count for almost nothing in the present ‘International Disorder’. Increasingly it is becoming evident that from the viewpoint of the big powers and authoritarian governments the people are of little or no importance. Considering that self-aggrandizement is of the paramount interest for the former the public interest is coming to be seen as inconsequential.
Consequently, not much of a case could be made currently for the once almost reverentially spoken of ‘Social Contract’. For, the public interest does not count for much in the scrambles for power among the major powers who are seen at the popular level as the principal history-makers.
It is in view of the above that much is expected of India. Today the latter is a ‘Swing State’ of the first importance. Besides being a major democracy, it is one of the world’s principal economic and military powers. It possesses abundant potential to help to put things right in international politics. If there is one state in Asia that could help in restoring respect for International Law, it is India.
Considering the above, India, one believes, is obliged to bear the responsibility of keeping South Asia free of any more long-running, wasting wars that could aggravate the material hardships and socio-economic blights of the region. Thus, India would need to consider it imperative to negotiating peace with Pakistan.
Under the Global-Ise Australia Advanced Sports Development Programme, a delegation of 15 swimmers from Lyceum International School, Wattala, had the remarkable opportunity to train and experience high-performance sports development in Melbourne, Australia.
The 10-day programme was carefully curated to offer intensive training, educational exposure, and cultural experiences for the young athletes.
The swimmers underwent specialised training through Swimming Victoria’s elite programme, held at some of Melbourne’s premier aquatic facilities.
Visit to Victorian Parliament
Each day began as early as 5:00 a.m. and continued until 7:00 p.m., ensuring a rigorous and enriching schedule that mirrored the standards of international competitive swimming.
Beyond training, the programme offered a wide array of experiences to broaden the students’ horizons.
Morning training
The tour group explored iconic landmarks such as the Victorian Parliament and the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), and enjoyed shopping at Chadstone – The Fashion Capital. They also experienced the natural beauty of Victoria with visits to Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery, and Cardinia Reservoir Park, where they observed kangaroos in their natural habitat.
An academic highlight of the tour was the group’s exclusive visits to three of Australia’s leading universities: the University of Melbourne, Monash University, and Deakin University. These visits aimed to inspire students and showcase the vast educational opportunities available in Australia.
Checking out the scene at Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery
As part of the cultural immersion, Global-Ise hosted a traditional Australian BBQ at the Tim Neville Arboretum in Ferntree Gully. The students also enjoyed a variety of diverse culinary experiences each evening, further enriching their understanding of local and international food cultures.
The tour concluded with a celebratory dinner at the Spicy Wicket Restaurant, where each participant received a presentation in recognition of their involvement.
Enjoying an Aussie BBQ for lunch
The evening was made especially memorable by the presence of Pradeepa Saram, Consul General of Sri Lanka in Victoria.
Global-Ise Management—Ken Jacobs, Johann Jayasinha, and Dr Luckmika Perera (Consultant from the University of Melbourne)—did a magnificent job in planning and the execution of the advanced sports programme.
Coaches from Sri Lanka presenting a plaque to Global-Ise Management team
Ken Jacobs (centre), Johann Jayasinha, and Dr Luckmika Perera (on the right
Hi! How’s the beauty scene keeping with you?
Phew, this heat is awful but there is nothing that we can do about it.
However, there are ways and means to take care of your skin and I will do my best to help you in every way I can.
Well, this week, let’s go for a Bright, Smooth Skin.
Gram flour (also known as besan) is a traditional skincare ingredient known for its:
* Natural exfoliating properties.
* Ability to absorb excess oil.
* Gentle brightening and tan-removal effects.
* Suitability for all skin types, especially oily and acne-prone skin.
You will need 01–02 tablespoons gram flour (besan) and rose water, or raw milk, to make a paste.
You could add the following two as optional add-ins: A pinch of turmeric (for extra glow), and a few drops of lemon juice (for oily skin and pigmentation)
Add the gram flour to a small bowl and mix in the rose water (for oily/sensitive skin) or raw milk (for dry skin) slowly.
Stir well to make a smooth, spreadable paste—not too thick, not too runny.
Now apply this mixture, evenly, to your damp face and neck, and let it sit for 5–10 minutes (don’t let it dry completely if you have dry skin).
Gently massage in circular motions using wet fingers—this helps exfoliate.
Rinse off with lukewarm water, and then pat your skin dry.
Use it 02–03 times a week for best results.
Skin Benefits:
* Removes dirt, sweat, and oil without stripping natural moisture.
* Gently exfoliates dead skin cells, revealing smoother skin.
* Brightens the complexion and fades mild tanning.
* Helps clear clogged pores and reduce pimples.
* Leaves skin fresh and glowing—perfect for humid climates.
Showers may occur in coastal areas of the Western and Southern provinces and in Puttalam district in the morning and most other areas in the afternoon and night
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