Dr. Nathaniel Landau ’77 on Why Science Matters

When I sat down to talk with Dr. Nathaniel Landau ’77, I was immediately struck by his willingness and desire to talk about important topics in science. While our conversation wandered across many subjects, what stuck with me most was our discussion of the role of science in daily life.

After discovering his passion for science and microbiology at Grinnell College, Landau went on to pursue graduate studies in virology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His research on HIV and Sars-CoV-2 has been instrumental to the development of treatments and vaccines — so instrumental, in fact, that his research was featured in the short film “The Battle for Amfar.” The film tells the true story of Elizabeth Taylor and Dr. Mathilde Krim’s efforts to start a foundation to fund HIV research by scientists like Dr. Landau. Landau’s research in the field led to the discovery that some individuals are genetically immune to HIV. This immunity is due to an inherited trait that is now used in a new class of antiviral drugs.

When I asked Dr. Landau about the societal impact of his research, he explained that, for him, “the real purpose of science is to improve human health,” and not just to study science for the sake of it. Throughout his career, he has remained focused on learning all there is to know about viruses. Nowadays, Landau is interested in developing novel vaccines to combat the ever-changing Sars-CoV-2 virus.

What does Landau wish more people knew about microbiology? “Everything!” he jokes. But more seriously, he told me that he wishes that “people knew more science in general.” Landau believes improving science education for the general public is important because the experience of learning how to think scientifically can help further develop a person’s critical thinking skills. He cites scientific inquiry as one way to help people decide how to differentiate between “things that are real, and things that are not real.” Reflecting on the current political climate, Landau says that without critical thinking skills, any conspiracy theory or random claim can be believed. Now, more than ever, science education is one of many important avenues to help people question ideas and think independently.

Along with his perspective on science education, I believe that we can all learn from Dr. Landau’s perspective on scientific discoveries. What is surprising about research, he tells me, is that “so many advances in science have been unexpected … and a lot of it is just serendipity … people just come across things accidentally.” As a researcher, this means you have to be happy with smaller advances in the day-to-day because big discoveries don’t come around that often. Landau emphasizes that it has to be enough for a scientist to “just learn something new that nobody else knew before.” The big discoveries are rare, and probably won’t happen for 99% of us. But that doesn’t mean that the work of that 99% is unimportant. On the contrary, it is precisely that which enables the 1% of work to be so life-changing.

Dr. Landau’s ideas can serve as inspiration (or a much-needed reminder) for scientists, whether we’re at the beginning, middle, or end of our careers. As scientists, it is essential to remember that scientific research has purpose, education is important, and small discoveries matter.