Capgemini women speak with Nobel Prize laureate in physics

Capgemini Consultant Meijun Zhou [pictured above] and Software Engineer Imane Souffer were among the three Capgemini colleagues to have the honor speaking with Nobel Prize laureate in physics, Professor Arthur McDonald, as part of a Nobel Prize Outreach event.

The prize-awarded work of Canadian astrophysicist Professor Arthur McDonald is a study of neutrinos – elusive sub-atomic particles created in nuclear reactions in the sun. His measurements show that neutrinos have mass. As the Standard Model of physics is based on neutrinos lacking mass, Professor Arthur McDonald’s breakthrough work showed that the model must be revised.

Capgemini's Joseph Tedds was also invited to participate in the meeting with Professor Arthur McDonald. Joseph is a quantum algorithm developer at Cambridge Consultants, part of Capgemini Invent.

A rare opportunity discussing research and innovation in science

Meijun Zhou [pictured above] is a Consultant with Capgemini’s Applied Innovation Exchange team in Shenzhen, China. “We are an innovation team, so when I heard I had been selected to talk to a Nobel Prize laureate, it was amazing. It’s a rare opportunity. I wanted to ask Professor McDonald about the roles of research and innovation in science – how do we learn from what people have done, taking existing things and putting them together in innovative ways to create something new?" she explains.

“Professor McDonald reminded us that scientists use existing information to generate new insights, and this can also be called innovation. Not everyone is an inventor, but as long as we can dig out new points from the existing information, we are innovating. He told us that you can’t know everything about everything, but you can be a part of the solution. That insight is very helpful for me and really gives me the confidence to progress in my career. It’s such a valuable experience,” comments Meijun.

Keep questioning and trying

Working in Toulouse as a Software Engineer, Imane Souffer says: “I do a lot of data analysis and am currently working on a remote sensing project to monitor the flow of carbon in the atmosphere. For me, the most inspiring thoughts Professor McDonald shared were about how, as a scientist, you never give up. If you want to be successful, you always need to keep questioning and keep trying. Everyone has potential, and you are the one in control of your destiny if you keep believing and keep pushing. When you are near the start of your career, you have to have that confidence to keep going and become the person you want to be."

Imane says that Professor Arthur McDonald’s insights reflect the ways of working she is already experiencing with Capgemini. “There are amazing people at Capgemini who are committed to their work and using science and technology to find solutions to the challenges we face in the world,” she says. “If we mix all that together, supporting each other and sharing our knowledge – like Professor McDonald does – then there’s a greater chance we’ll succeed in getting the future we want.”

A Nobel view of innovation

In 1895, Alfred Nobel’s legacy was to create what is today the world’s most highly acclaimed prize for brilliance and invention. His vision? To honor achievements that are of “the greatest benefit to humankind. As one of five Nobel International Partners, Capgemini’s partnership with Nobel Prize Outreach means it shares a commitment to that original vision and to nurturing innovation and technology to create a sustainable future for all. Every year, Nobel Prize Outreach runs a program of events aimed at inspiring people across borders and generations about the incredible possibilities of scientific endeavor. These include the Nobel Prize Dialogues, in which Nobel Prize laureates and other world-renowned thinkers and decision-makers share their knowledge and experience with students and professionals at the start of their careers.