Lund University’s Rector Erik Renström says that it is “incredibly well deserved” that Anne L’Huillier has been awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics.
– It’s fantastic considering how fierce the competition is in research these days. It is something completely different from what it was just 30 years ago. There are many countries that do excellent research. To then finally, for Lund University’s part, receive the first ever Nobel Prize – I lose my breath, says Renström.
First time
The first Nobel Prizes were awarded in 1901, but it is only now that a researcher working at Lund University has been awarded a prize.
– We have been waiting a long time. We have delivered many Nobel Prizes, but it is others who have received the credit for them. But now it was time for us. Getting it these days still weighs more heavily than any historical price, because the competition is tougher than ever, says Erik Renström.
For example, the Nobel laureates Sune Bergström and Bengt Samuelsson (shared the medicine prize in 1982) and Arvid Carlsson (the medicine prize in 2000) were active at Lund University earlier in their careers.
– That Anne has Nobel caliber – we knew that before. It was quite clear. But we had no idea that it would come now, says Joachim Schnadt, head of the physics department.
Last year, Anne L’Huillier – together with Paul Corkum and Ferenc Krausz – was awarded the Wolf Prize for her research. In physics, the award is seen as the “little Nobel Prize”, says Erik Renström.
– So we knew she was one of the bubbles, but there are many who were bubbles and didn’t receive the Nobel Prize years ago, says Erik Renström.
“Will party for a long time”
The award is “huge” for the department and Joachim Schnadt is happy that it puts the focus on the subject and the department’s research activities.
– I hope that young people will open their eyes to the subject and maybe consider studying physics. We want talented students, and we have that today, but we would like to have even more.
The award means a lot to the university’s international reputation and lessons must now be learned from how Anne L’Huillier worked, says Erik Renström. It is also important for other research fields.
– You must have environments that allow the very highest flyers to develop. There are many lessons to be learned from this, he says.
How will you celebrate Anne L’Huillier?
– It’s going to be a party here, and it’s going to be a long and hard party, says the Lunda principal.