Two years ago, when I wanted playing the TV game show WWTBAM. I researched about current affairs and came to follow up the Nobel Prize and her winners. As someone in Life Science, I was interested in winners of the medicine and physiology prize and to a great extent the "hard core" sciences. Which is why if anyone tells me about a Nobel laureate, I ask which of the categories? I'm not interested in the Literature winners (no offence intended).

Throughout my research, I discovered an intriguing stuff. No black person has won the Nobel Prize in any of the sciences. Only one winner in Economics (Sir William Arthur Lewis). 11 winners in the Peace category (even though the continent is not peaceful). 3 in the Literature category (Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore criticised Africans studying Literature). Denoting no winner in Physics, Chemistry and Medicine or Physiology. Why I asked myself. This is because compared to Asians whether Mongoloid/Asian/Australoid, there are numerous winners. As this thread is focused on the sciences, I will reel out few winners with some historic attachments who are/were Asians:

• Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman – First Asian (Indian) winner in sciences (Physics) 1930
• Hideki Yukawa – First Japanese (Physics) 1949
• Chen Ning Yang and Tsung-Dao Lee– First Chinese (Physics) 1957
• Har Gobind Khorana – First Asian in Medicine/Physiology 1968
• Abdus Salam – First Pakistani and Moslem (Physics) (1979)
• Kenichi Fukui – First Asian in Chemistry (1981)
• Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar – Nephew of the first Asian (Physics) (1983)
• Tu Youyou – First Chinese woman (Medicine) (2015)

Although, an Indian first won it. The Japanese have the highest in sciences at 21 with most recent the Autophagic Scientist Yoshinori Ohsumi (2016) Medicine. However, that is not my point for the thread. So with the high proportion of blacks globally (http://worldpopulationreview.com/continents/africa-population/), why has there not been a winner in the Sciences category?

From further research, the consensus was on the low percentage of blacks in academia or conducting research. The long period of time it takes for a typical laureate to be announced irrespective of prize category (why most tend to be old). Another reason is the poor quality of research from African institutions (if so, why none from those residing/working in developed nations?). This can be understood as most of the Asian winners bar the Japanese studied abroad especially in the UK and US, where some of the best educational institutions are located, funding and equipment are provided. Still researched, someone mentioned Herman Branson, for his work on the Alpha Helix structure. Louis Pauling and Robert Corey took much of the credits due to records not kept properly or so. Guess what? Pauling together with Corey later won the prize in chemistry (1954).

CONT'D......

However, I cannot overlook Pauling’s (with others) explanation of Sickle-Cell anemia. It opened new frontiers in protein abnormality.
Another that was mentioned was Percy Julian, this I believe should have gotten the Chemistry Prize. Yet another was David Blackwell, who won the John von Neumann Theory Prize in 1979, but that is not a Nobel Prize. However, it is seen as one. Albeit, The Fields' Medal and the Abel’s Prize are seen as better representatives, even though the former has age limits (below 40) and timeline gap (every four years).
https://www.stlucianewsonline.com/commentary-where-are-the-black-science-laureates/


Additionally, there has been a surge in Nigerians nay black Africans studying for their post-graduate degrees outside the continent especially in the US and Europe. Folks acing the GRE and travelling to the US for further studies and eventual permanent residency https://www.nairaland.com/1832477/how-achieve-high-scores-gre . So we have had these individuals in the US for further studies and research. I had a thought, how come none has won a Nobel Prize in the Science category compared to the Indians (Venkatraman Ramakrishnan, Chemistry 2009), and even the Japanese (Ei-ichi Negishi, Chemistry 2010) who have done same. I thought, could it be because they came from relatively low income backgrounds compared to where they are (so the money is needed)? Or could it be because they head to private companies and not research institutes (albeit there has been winners who had their research in private companies, but a researcher is likely to research in line with the company’s objectives)? Or could it be because research takes time to fruition and brings forth less monetary benefits in the short term as opposed to say working with Pfizer? Imagine someone who left Nigeria after the stress; no electricity, system where nothing works to a place where everything is efficiently done. Question is: Why stress yourself in research when Pfizer can pay big bucks and get rewarded financially quickly especially considering your background? Still on this hypothesis of mine, I recall a conversation I had with a lecturer (Nigerian descent) from University of East London in a conference in Calabar last year. He told me about his friend who finished from Covenant University and went to Cambridge University for his MSc (Bioinformatics) and eventual PhD and is based there (this should be his eighth year). Now, that is someone one can prognosticate winning a Nobel Prize. Question are: Is he into research? Or just relocated to avoid the inefficient environment and works with a top private firm (say AstraZeneca not Cancer Research UK)?

In conclusion, it would be wonderful and inspiring to witness a black winner(s) in the science category; and for the records, I’m not advocating political correctness or racial quotas for blacks. I’m all for merit irrespective of gender, creed, race, or sexual orientation. I’m just perplexed

So fellow Nairalanders, why has there not been a black winner of a Nobel Prize in the Science category?

Lalasticlala & Mynd44

op lemme tell you racism is a big factor. there are lot of black folks doing great things out there but they won't acknowledge them nor give them proper publicity like they would do to white folks
Imagine a scenario a black man brings up an idea they won't take him serious later on about 2 years later a white man will come up with same thing and before you know it all the media outlets have carried the news and subsequently will bag the prize for that idea.
There is one guy Phillip Emegwali what that guy did if it was American or British he would have been treated like a demi god

Beyond racism, let us ask ourselves - what do successful black people do to support education and research instead of flexing their money upandan on frivolous luxuries?

seguno2:
Beyond racism, let us ask ourselves - what do successful black people do to support education and research instead of flexing their money upandan on frivolous luxuries?

if you say we are not spending on research in Africa what about Black's living abroad

mccben4:
if you say we are not spending on research in Africa what about Black's living abroad

How much is Floyd Mayweather donating to research and education, for example compared to a similarly successful oyinbo?

mccben4:
op lemme tell you racism is a big factor. there are lot of black folks doing great things out there but they won't acknowledge them nor give them proper publicity like they would do to white folks
Imagine a scenario a black man brings up an idea they won't take him serious later on about 2 years later a white man will come up with same thing and before you know it all the media outlets have carried the news and subsequently will bag the prize for that idea.
There is one guy Phillip Emegwali what that guy did if it was American or British he would have been treated like a demi god

Well, an idea is an idea until it has materialised into something useful. Anyone irrespective of race can have an idea. An idea not worked on or published remains an idea. Has the work been published in top scientific journals? I read about discoveries, inventions and innovations daily and one thing that characterises them is publication in scientific journals.

No one has the monopoly of generating ideas. I do not believe it's racism even though the thread connotes such.


On a side note, Lalasticlala and Mynd44, should this thread not be on the front page of the biggest online forum in the most populous black nation?

seguno2:


How much is Floyd Mayweather donating to research and education, for example compared to a similarly successful oyinbo?

concerning that you are right but why is it that when a black man does something he's not given much publicity

Gerrard59:



Well, an idea is an idea until it has materialised into something useful. Anyone irrespective of race can have an idea. An idea not worked on or published remains an idea. Has the work been published in top scientific journals? I read about discoveries, inventions and innovations daily and one thing that characterises them is publication in scientific journals.

No one has the monopoly of generating ideas. I do not believe it's racism even though the thread connotes such.

OK are you telling me Phillip Emegwali achievement is an idea
Why is he not given much publicity

seguno2:


How much is Floyd Mayweather donating to research and education, for example compared to a similarly successful oyinbo?

Same thing a Nairalander was telling another when the person questioned why there are neglected diseases ravaging Africa. According to this Nlder, it has to do with funding. As a professor was explained to him why he was researching into an unknown genetic disorder. This according to the prof is because the disorder affected a region where 30-40% of US billionaires have genetic linkage to. And that is where funding comes from.

Question is: How much has been invested into research to understand and possibly discover cures to the most severe diseases and disorders affecting blacks by African governments?

Additionally, funds have been invested into discovering an effective treatment or cure for Alzheimer's or Autism. This is because the majority of sufferers from these diseases are Caucasians. S/he pays the piper dictates the tune.


Meanwhile, this Nlder I'm talking about finished from a top UK university (UCL/KCL).

mccben4:
OK are you telling me Phillip Emegwali achievement is an idea
Why is he not given much publicity

What idea? Is it the fastest Internet stuff? If he published the idea, good one (any link to the study?). If he did not, then it remains an idea.

The names I listed published their works and were recognised even if the work was done long ago. As long as it is relevant.

@OP your definition for Noble Price is affecting your claims Above..


...
What is your take For a man that trekked from Lagos to Abuja??
Noble Trekking

Of course he's going to be trekking to London to collect his "NoBoo" Price


...
In Summary, I blame APC for this.

Gerrard59:


What idea? Is it the fastest Internet stuff? If he published the idea, good one (any link to the study?). If he did not, then it remains an idea.

The names I listed published their works and were recognised even if the work was done long ago. As long as it is relevant.

just type his name on Google you will see his works

mccben4:
concerning that you are right but why is it that when a black man does something he's not given much publicity

Who owns the press- whites or blacks?
Let black people invest in things that matter instead of "enjoying" ourselves and whining that those who are prudent get their just rewards.

Well I think it's the quality of research coming from African universities. Research papers from africa have no original content and are filled with plagiarism from the undergraduate level down to the postgraduate level and most Africans schooling abroad are doing so to escape the harsh living conditions in Africa and not for the betterment of humanity.

Also the government here has done nothing to encourage science and technology education at the primary to secondary level. We don't even have any national olympiads in Nigeria. It will take at least 100 years before we produce our first science Nobel prize winner or a maths field medalists.

seguno2:


Who owns the press- whites or blacks?
Let black people invest in things that matter instead of "enjoying" ourselves and whining that those who are prudent get their just rewards.

with this question you asked: who owns the press
walahi that question knock me out I will no longer talk

We do not understand real education which is about solving our local problems. Add this to our craze for religion plus get rich or die trying then you understand the almost absolute impossibility.

tensazangetsu20:
Well I think it's the quality of research coming from African universities. Research papers from africa have no original content and are filled with plagiarism from the undergraduate level down to the postgraduate level and most Africans schooling abroad are doing so to escape the harsh living conditions in Africa and not for the betterment of humanity.

Also the government here has done nothing to encourage science and technology education at the primary to secondary level. We don't even have any national olympiads in Nigeria. It will take at least 100 years before we produce our first science Nobel prize winner or a maths field medalists.

Who is the government?
How is the government different from the people?
Cheers.

seguno2:


Who is the government?
How is the government different from the people?
Cheers.

The Nigeria government is totally different from the people. It's stuff like this that makes me suggest a division of this country.

tensazangetsu20:
The Nigeria government is totally different from the people. It's stuff like this that makes me suggest a division of this country.

Who will divide the country?
Is it the people or is it their government?

Mr Sagamite,

What do you think of this (the topic) and why?

Thanks.

Gerrard59:
Mr Sagamite,

What do you think of this (the topic) and why?

Thanks.

This is quite an easy question, mate.

The answer is:

Because we have, on average, lower IQ (intellectual aptitude) and we don't help this by also being poor at achieving our already disadvantageous lower IQ potential.

This is not to say there can't be a black Nobel Prize winner in Science, it is just that the chances are extremely slim considering the way our brains have evolved.

Secondly, this is not to say "No Black Man" is smart. The smartest person in the world could even be black, what is being stated is that "on average", i.e. averaging it out, blacks have lower IQ!

You need high IQ, strong education system and team-working to win the Science Nobels. Peace and Literature is more a soloist Nobel, so better chance for blacks in those.

It is not a joke when I call Blacks here "Monkeys". I know it is not completely their fault they are intellectually handicapped, but they need to know they are. It helps them to know!

Really, the more relevant question is why are Orientals that have a higher IQ than Caucasians not winning this more than Caucasians?

I would attribute that to:

1) Adoption of communism/socialism by some Oriental countries set the region back many years.

2) Caucasians have the highest aptitude in team-working, hence better potential at innovations.

3) Better education system in Caucasian countries.

mccben4:
op lemme tell you racism is a big factor. there are lot of black folks doing great things out there but they won't acknowledge them nor give them proper publicity like they would do to white folks
Imagine a scenario a black man brings up an idea they won't take him serious later on about 2 years later a white man will come up with same thing and before you know it all the media outlets have carried the news and subsequently will bag the prize for that idea.
There is one guy Phillip Emegwali what that guy did if it was American or British he would have been treated like a demi god

Now, this is someone with a typical black brain!

mccben4:
OK are you telling me Phillip Emegwali achievement is an idea
Why is he not given much publicity

Given much publicity by who?

mccben4:
just type his name on Google you will see his works

What works?

seguno2:


Who owns the press- whites or blacks?
Let black people invest in things that matter instead of "enjoying" ourselves and whining that those who are prudent get their just rewards.

Your head is correct!

I am sure he is busy dancing skelewu at any given chance and when he gets any significant sum of money, the first thing he would buy is a Range Rover to show he has arrived, then he would blame whites for his failures in life.

Look at the idiots he is dancing to. Little success, they are popping babies left, right and centre. Black brain!

Politicians win elections after dancing on campaigns! The dancing race!

otokx:
We do not understand real education which is about solving our local problems. Add this to our craze for religion plus get rich or die trying then you understand the almost absolute impossibility.

Your head is correct!

tensazangetsu20:

The Nigeria government is totally different from the people. It's stuff like this that makes me suggest a division of this country.

Huh?

Split it two countries with one containing the government and the other the people?

That this thread is not yet on FP also explains why blacks have not won the Nobel Prize in sciences till date.

www.nairaland.com/attachments/4916463_img1217_jpegf36bc6f0e3954883e8b3b5a692deed65

anonimi:
That this thread is not yet on FP also explains why blacks have not won the Nobel Prize in sciences till date.

www.nairaland.com/attachments/4916463_img1217_jpegf36bc6f0e3954883e8b3b5a692deed65

Thank you!

Your head is correct.

We can see what a black brain did to a once vibrant and sane forum.


"See what Billionaire's daughter wore to school" ----------------------------------------> FRONT PAGE!

Nobel Prize for Cretinism!

otokx:
We do not understand real education which is about solving our local problems. Add this to our craze for religion plus get rich or die trying then you understand the almost absolute impossibility.

.
You deserve a prize for this comment.

are you for real, blacks have a lower IQ, i cant believe this is coming from you. Maybe you should see this http://www.pulse.ng/communities/student/this-prof-is-giving-scholarship-to-the-worst-unilorin-student-id7639123.html

Sagamite:


This is quite an easy question, mate.

The answer is:

Because we have, on average, lower IQ (intellectual aptitude) and we don't help this by also being poor at achieving our already disadvantageous lower IQ potential.

This is not to say there can't be a black Nobel Prize winner in Science, it is just that the chances are extremely slim considering the way our brains have evolved.

Secondly, this is not to say "No Black Man" is smart. The smartest person in the world could even be black, what is being stated is that "on average", i.e. averaging it out, blacks have lower IQ!

You need high IQ, strong education system and team-working to win the Science Nobels. Peace and Literature is more a soloist Nobel, so better chance for blacks in those.

It is not a joke when I call Blacks here "Monkeys". I know it is not completely their fault they are intellectually handicapped, but they need to know they are. It helps them to know!

Really, the more relevant question is why are Orientals that have a higher IQ than Caucasians not winning this more than Caucasians?

I would attribute that to:

1) Adoption of communism/socialism by some Oriental countries set the region back many years.

2) Caucasians have the highest aptitude in team-working, hence better potential at innovations.

3) Better education system in Caucasian countries.