35 Quotes by Paul Nurse

I was never very good at exams, having a poor memory and finding the examination process rather artificial, and there never seemed to be enough time to follow up things that really interested me.

I had a great time investigating the pigments of different mutant fruit flies by following experimental protocols published in Scientific American, and I also remember making my own beetle collection when it was still acceptable to make such collections.

I have an idealistic view of science as a liberalising and progressive force for humanity.

Scientific understanding is often beautiful, a profoundly aesthetic experience which gives pleasure not unlike the reading of a great poem.

I was by far the youngest of the family, and at times it was like being an only child.

Like many students, I found the drudgery of real experiments and the slowness of progress a complete shock, and at my low points I contemplated other alternative careers including study of the philosophy or sociology of science.

During the winter my attention was attracted to the changes in the stars and planets in the sky.

At age 11 in 1960, I moved to an academic state secondary school, Harrow County Grammar School for Boys.

It was during my time at secondary school that I abandoned religion.