Wanting Imagination and Staying Grounded

The United States always unilaterally announces resolutions without considering the feelings of others.

Admittedly, the Princeton Mathematics Department is a very prestigious position, but Shen Qi is not yet qualified to take on that role.

After some polite refusals, Shen Qi ultimately did not accept Director Knox's recommendation.

After leaving the math building, Zhou Yu'an said to Shen Qi, "I can tell, they want to keep you in the US."

Unlike Honorary Professor and foreign academicians, the Mathematics Department must be based at Princeton during their term of office.

Shen Qi was aware of this rule, so he politely declined the offer to become the Mathematics Department at Princeton University.

"Old Zhou, you're really impressive. You two carried out the academic exchange with them as planned."

After giving his instructions, Shen Qi went to Washington, D. C., to receive his foreign associate certificate from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and to deliver a speech.

"Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon. Actually, I didn't originally plan to give a speech because I felt that I was just one of millions of ordinary people, and I didn't have any particularly noteworthy achievements to sing on stage."

"Since you're here, let me share some of my basic understanding of science."

"During my time at Princeton, I often stood in front of the Einstein statue, on which is inscribed the words: 'Imagination is more important than knowledge.'"

"I wholeheartedly agree with Einstein's famous quote: 'Imagination is a power that seems to belong only to the gods.' Humans are not the strongest species; we cannot fly or dive into the ocean. But the reason we dominate the earth is because we possess imagination, the ability to create things in our minds that do not exist in reality."

"Excellent scientists must possess excellent imagination; of course, it is also the responsibility of scientists to realize the surreal existence created by their imagination."

"Today, the world we live in is becoming more and more like science fiction. Cutting-edge technologies from decades ago are now commonplace. The surreal things imagined in science fiction are becoming reality one by one."

"This places higher demands on scientists' imagination; if they cannot realize the promised vision of reaching for the stars, then life will become mundane."

"Okay, that's all I wanted to say, thank you."

Shen Qi's speech at the Chinese Academy of Sciences sparked heated discussions, with people summarizing his scientific ideas as follows: scientists should stand at the height of the stars and the sea, making life full of anticipation and joy.

After leaving the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shen Qi went to the American Chemical Society to continue giving presentations.

"Research shows that glycogen synthase kinase-3β is widely distributed in the human brain and is a target associated with various diseases. Therefore, research on glycogen synthase kinase-3β inhibitors, especially non-ATP-competitive inhibitors, has a better prospect for development and application."

"With this research objective in mind, our laboratory at Yenching University designed and synthesized a novel benzothiazinone compound. During the synthesis process, we innovatively used a novel molecular hybridization reaction, which yielded excellent results."

"... Based on the research results, we have discovered that this novel compound can be used to treat Type II Diabetes, and further testing and development are still underway. That concludes my report, thank you."

After Shen Qi's chemistry report concluded, the American Chemical Society highly praised the research achievements of Shen Qi Team.

The president of the American Chemical Society announced, "We recommend that the novel organic reaction innovated by Shen Qi Team be named the Shen Qi Reaction. We also recommend that Mr. Shen Qi be awarded the Adams Chemistry Prize."

The Adams Chemistry Prize, established in 1959 and awarded by the American Chemical Society, primarily recognizes chemists who have made outstanding contributions to the field of Organic Chemistry. There are no nationality restrictions for the winners, making it a significant international award.

Shen Qi, who has won numerous awards in mathematics and physics, has finally received a Chemistry Prize for his research on C01C-2 and the new reaction he invented during the research process.

System: "New achievement! The host has won the Adams Chemistry Prize, rewarding 2 million Academic Points. Remaining Academic Points: 51,272,567. Please confirm."

"The conditions for promotion to level 13 in Chemistry have been met. Please confirm."

There are two conditions for advancing from Chemistry Level 12 to Level 13.

1. 4 million academic points or experience points

2. Received an international Chemistry Prize.

Shen Qi has met the two conditions for becoming a top master in Chemistry at level 13, and he will upgrade Chemistry to level 13.

System: "Congratulations, host, your chemistry level has advanced by 13! Your imagination, logical reasoning, judgment, and insight in the field of chemistry have significantly improved."

The conditions for promotion to level 14 in Chemistry are:

1. 20 million academic points or experience points;

2. Solve a super-difficult chemical problem, including but not limited to the development of Macrocyclic Compounds with eight or more members, and the leap from chemical evolution to chirality and the origin of life.

Condition 1 has actually been met by Shen Qi.

Condition 2 is very difficult. For example, Macrocyclic Compounds with eight or more members are extremely difficult to obtain, and the chemical reactions involved are rarely developed. Therefore, Organic Chemistry textbooks stipulate a principle that Macrocyclic Compounds with eight or more members should be avoided as much as possible during disassembly.

Revising a chemical principle is many times more difficult than synthesizing a new compound.

Of course it's very difficult. Whether it's mathematics, physics, or now chemistry, Shen Qi faces extremely daunting challenges as he advances to level 14.

Shen Qi published his research findings on C01C-2, which earned him the Adams Award. His research attracted close attention from National First Prize.

Shen Qi wrote in his paper that he himself gave a public presentation claiming that CO1C-2 could treat diabetes, and that it was currently in the animal testing stage.

Diabetes is a global disease, and it is also a disease that causes immense distress and suffering.

Shen Qi gave two lectures in the United States. The first lecture was about the stars and the sea, which was imaginative, unrestrained, and free-spirited.

The second session focused on glycogen synthase kinase-3β inhibitors, and was very specific and practical.

Representatives from several major American pharmaceutical companies, such as Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, Merck, and Eli Lilly, attended Shen Qi's presentation at the American Chemical Society headquarters.

The pharmaceutical industry is different from other industries, such as mathematics. I've never heard of a mathematician working for a company receiving the highest awards and honors.

However, researchers working for pharmaceutical companies have won Nobel Chemistry Prize, Medicine, and Physiology.

The research and development capabilities of international pharmaceutical giants are no less than those of universities or research institutes.

At a reception hosted by the American Chemical Society, Shen Qi had extensive conversations with American chemists and chemical R&D personnel from pharmaceutical companies.

"Professor Shen, I benefited greatly from your lecture; it was truly enlightening." A Chinese man respectfully handed Shen Qi his business card.

Shen Qi took the business card. The owner of the card was Xi Zhengyu, the research and development manager of Merck Pharmaceutical Company.

"Manager Xi, you flatter me. How many years have you worked at Merck Company?" Shen Qi asked.