Summary
U.S. scientist Dr. Fred Ramsdell learned he won the Nobel Prize in medicine while on a remote hike in Montana. The Nobel Committee was initially unable to contact him due to his phone being on airplane mode. Dr. Ramsdell and two other scientists were awarded for their research on the immune system.
Key Facts
- Dr. Fred Ramsdell was on a hike in Montana when he found out he won the Nobel Prize for medicine.
- His wife, Laura O'Neill, notified him after receiving numerous text messages.
- Dr. Ramsdell's phone was on airplane mode, so he missed the initial call from the Nobel Committee.
- He was awarded along with two others for research on how the immune system attacks infections.
- The prize fund for the Nobel Prize is 11 million Swedish kronor, which is about £870,000.
- He reached the Nobel Assembly, fellow laureates, and friends nearly 20 hours after the award announcement.
- Nobelist complications are not uncommon; in 2020, similar issues occurred with economist Paul Milgrom, who did not answer the initial call about his win.
