Nobel Laureate Karl Deisseroth Prioritizes Making School Lunches After Prize Announcement
Stanford scientist Karl Deisseroth, a Nobel Prize winner for his work in optogenetics, emphasized family responsibilities shortly after receiving the prestigious award.
Dr. Karl Deisseroth, a Stanford University professor and Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his pioneering work in optogenetics. The breakthrough technique uses light to control nerve cells, opening new avenues in brain science.
Deisseroth, 54, learned of his Nobel win in the early morning hours. He was in the midst of fielding congratulatory calls from journalists and well-wishers when he requested a break to prepare school lunches for his children. Deisseroth shared this year's prize with researchers Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel from Germany for their contributions to the development of optogenetics.
"I almost felt as if I’d lost the power of forming words," Deisseroth told The Associated Press shortly after the announcement, describing his initial reaction to the news. He noted that he had been working late, as is his habit, and had just gone to lie down when the call from the Nobel Assembly arrived.
He spoke with reporters remotely via phone and Zoom, with an AP photographer and videographer arriving at his Stanford home around 3:30 a.m. His wife, Dr. Michelle Monje-Deisseroth, an HHMI investigator and pediatric neuro-oncologist at Stanford, answered the door and welcomed the press. She was at his side as he continued to take calls, having been instrumental in his work and not surprised by the Nobel recognition, according to Deisseroth.
As a physician-scientist and psychiatrist, Deisseroth expressed his commitment to patients suffering from conditions like autism and depression, highlighting the hope his research offers. He also emphasized his dedication to basic science and the understanding of the human brain.
Despite the global recognition, Deisseroth reiterated his commitment to his family, stating his need for an hourlong break at 6:30 a.m. to attend to his children before they left for school. His wife noted that they live in faculty housing, where such late-night activity might be more common among neighbors.
Deisseroth's work in optogenetics has significantly advanced the field of neuroscience, offering new methods for studying and potentially treating brain disorders.