Advice for Aspiring Scientists: A Guide to Discovery and Excellence

E.O. Wilson, a celebrated biologist, shares invaluable advice for young scientists, emphasizing the importance of wonder, creativity, and strategic thinking in navigating a scientific career. This guide, drawn from a lifetime of experience, offers key principles to help aspiring scientists thrive in an ever-evolving world.

The Scientific Age: An Era of Unprecedented Growth

Humanity has entered the Scientific Age, a period marked by rapid advancements across various disciplines, including astrophysics, molecular genetics, immunology, and public health. Knowledge and technology are expanding at an exponential rate, transforming every aspect of human life. This revolution promises radical changes to the human condition, making it an exciting time for those entering scientific fields.

Embracing Interdisciplinary Studies

Traditional fields of study are converging, creating new disciplines and fostering a continuum of knowledge. It's crucial to acquire breadth in fields related to your chosen specialty. Keep your eyes open and embrace the thirst for knowledge, as a scientifically trained population is essential for the future of civilization.

Overcoming Mathematical Anxiety

Don't let a perceived lack of mathematical skills deter you from pursuing a scientific career. Many successful scientists are "mathematically semi-literate." Elite mathematicians serve as architects, while the majority of scientists map the terrain, scout frontiers, and build along the way.

Mathematics as a Language

Mathematics is a language with its own grammar and logic. With elementary-level reading and writing skills, you can grasp the fundamentals needed for most scientific disciplines. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes, but it's achievable at any age. Imagination and the ability to form concepts are more crucial than technical ability.

The Power of Imagination

Advances in science stem from imagination, leading to hard work where mathematical reasoning may or may not be relevant. Ideas emerge from studying the real or imagined world for its own sake. A thorough knowledge of relevant entities and processes is of utmost importance.

Wilson's Principles for Scientific Success

Wilson's principles offer guidance for navigating your scientific journey:

Wilson's Principle #1: It is far easier for scientists to acquire needed collaboration in mathematics and statistics than it is for mathematicians and statisticians to find scientists able to make use of their equations.
Wilson's Principle #2: For every scientist, there exists a discipline in science or medicine for which their level of mathematical competence is enough to achieve excellence.
Wilson's Principle #3: March away from the sound of the guns. In other words, seek out sparsely inhabited areas of research.

Strategic Approaches to Research

Choosing Your Path

Select a subject that deeply interests you and focus on it. When selecting a research area, choose a sparsely inhabited part of the discipline. Judge opportunity by how few other students and researchers are present. While broad training and mentorship are essential, look for ways to break out and find a field not yet popular.

Becoming an Authority

Once you've settled on a specialty, study it extensively to become an expert. The world needs expertise and rewards those willing to acquire it. Don't be discouraged if the existing information seems skimpy; this presents an opportunity.

Wilson's Principle #4

In the attempt to make scientific discoveries, every problem is an opportunity, and the more difficult the problem, the greater the importance of its solution.

Two Strategies of Research

Problem-Driven: Identify a problem and seek a solution, discovering other phenomena along the way.
Exploration-Driven: Study a subject broadly, searching for unknown phenomena or patterns.

The Final Principle

For every problem in a given discipline of science, there exists a species or entity or phenomenon ideal for its solution, and conversely, for every species or other entity or phenomenon, there exist important problems for the solution of which those particular objects of research are ideally suited. Find out what they are.

The Future of Science

The decades ahead will bring dramatic advances in disease prevention, general health, and quality of life. All of humanity depends on the knowledge and practice of medicine and the science behind it. Embrace your calling, and let it give you satisfaction in a life well-lived.