A scientist's fueled adventures

江蘇 殷 雨

In February,Dr Robert Lefkowitz,a physician and biochemist,published a memoir (回憶錄),calledA Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Stockholm:The Adrenaline-Fueled Adventures of an Accidental Scientist.In a recent conversation via video,Lefkowitz said that he wanted his memoir,which is co-authored by Randy Hall,to be“funny,interesting,and easy to understand”.In the book,he humorously describes his journey from a cardiologist (心臟病學家) to a biochemist.

Lefkowitz is no stranger to conducting experiments,making discoveries,and telling stories.He was awarded the 2012 Nobel Prize in Chemistry with Brian Kobilka.The two scientists were honored for their groundbreaking discoveries on the workings of G proteincoupled receptors (G蛋白偶聯受體).The scientists' discoveries could help unlock the mysteries to many diseases.

Lefkowitz's dream of becoming a doctor began when he was eight years old.After his father died of a heart attack,Lefkowitz decided to be a heart doctor.He earned his medical degree at Columbia University.

When I asked Lefkowitz what qualities contributed the most to his success,he described himself as“reasonably intelligent and creative,hardworking,and not easily distracted”.He added that being funny can also be very good for you and the people around you.

Throughout his life,Lefkowitz has made many hard decisions.Before winning the Nobel Prize,he said,he conducted countless experiments,and only 1 out of 50 turned out OK.“With difficult decisions I've had to make,I tend to make them with my heart rather than my head,”Lefkowitz said.“However,I don't mean that deciding with your heart is always right.In other words,it's all intuition.”

At age 78,the scientist has no plans for slowing down.“My body and mind are still working,”he said.“I want to continue running my laboratory at Duke University and writing and publishing research papers.”For more than 40 years,the Lefkowitz Lab has been a center for research on receptor biology,which is the study of how cells recognize and respond to hormones and drugs.

“You could say I'm like the ‘grand old man’of the field,”Lefkowitz said,smiling.“Everyone knows me.I enjoy mentoring.I enjoy researching.I enjoy this role.”

Reading Check

1.What can we know about the memoir?

A.It's written by Dr Robert Lefkowitz.B.It's about physics and biology.

C.It's difficult and professional.D.It's about the journey to a biochemist.

2.What can we know about Dr Robert Lefkowitz?

A.He made great discoveries on dealing with heart attacks.

B.He seldom conducted experiments and made discoveries.

C.His discoveries made a big difference to many diseases.

D.He was awarded the 2012 Nobel Prize in Chemistry with Randy Hall.

3.Which of the following contributed to Lefkowitz's success?

A.His dream of becoming a doctor.B.His intelligence and hardworking.

C.His family background.D.His father's death.

4.What's the main purpose of this text?

A.To introduce a new book.B.To tell a story of a scientist.

C.To give an introduction to the Nobel Prize.D.To stress the contributions in science.

Language Study

Ⅰ.Difficult sentence

When I asked Lefkowitz what qualities contributed the most to his success,he described himself as“reasonably intelligent and creative,hardworking,and not easily distracted”.當我問萊夫科維茨什么品質對他的成功貢獻最大時，他形容自己“足夠聰明、有創造力、勤奮，且不容易分心”。

【點石成金】本句中的When引導狀語從句，在狀語從句中，what引導賓語從句，what qualities為賓語從句的主語，contributed to為謂語，his success為賓語；he described...as“reasonably...not easily distracted”為主句部分。

Ⅱ.Useful expressions

conduct experiments 進行實驗

be honored for 受表彰

unlock the mysteries 解開謎團

earn his medical degree 獲得醫學學位