DNA pioneer James Watson dies at 97: Here's one lesson he urged students to embrace

James D. Watson, the American scientist best known for co-discovering the double-helix structure of DNA alongside Francis Crick , has died aged 97. His passing was confirmed by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory , where he worked and led research for decades. Watson, who shared the 1962 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Crick and Maurice Wilkins, played a central role in one of the 20th century’s most significant scientific breakthroughs, shaping the field of molecular biology and laying the groundwork for decades of genomic research.

While his scientific achievements were monumental, Watson’s later career was overshadowed by controversial comments on race and intelligence, which led to the revocation of his honorary titles at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. Despite these controversies, his reflections on learning, mentorship, and scientific inquiry remain relevant to students and researchers alike.

A life shaped by curiosity and discipline
Born in Chicago in April 1928, Watson demonstrated intellectual promise from an early age, winning a scholarship to study at the University of Chicago at just 15. There, he developed an interest in X-ray diffraction, a technique that allowed scientists to probe the inner structures of atoms. His academic curiosity led him to Cambridge University, where he met Crick, and together they constructed models of DNA, culminating in the discovery of its iconic double-helix structure.

Following this, Watson held positions at Harvard University , where he became professor of biology, and later directed Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in New York State, transforming it into a leading centre for scientific research. His personal life was closely intertwined with his work; he and his wife, Elizabeth, raised two sons, one of whom experienced schizophrenia, an experience that informed his later scientific interests in neuroscience and mental health.

Guiding the next generation: Lessons from a scientific pioneer

Even as controversies marked the later years of his career, Watson remained dedicated to mentoring young scientists and sharing insights from his experiences. At a lecture organised by Andrew Barry, lecturer in Organismic and Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University, Watson addressed approximately 150 undergraduate students, offering advice drawn from a lifetime in science. He recounted his personal “100 rules” for success, a collection shaped by his upbringing on the south side of Chicago, and infused the talk with humour and candid reflections.

One of his central pieces of advice to students was deceptively simple: understanding “why” an idea matters is more important than merely learning “what” it is. Watson illustrated this point with examples from his undergraduate studies in zoology, emphasising that the purpose of higher education is to teach students how to think critically and independently. He described biology as a field that offers clarity in the pursuit of truth, reflecting his belief in the value of rigorous, evidence-based inquiry.

Watson also stressed the importance of ambition and focus in achieving success, advising students that they should only engage in endeavours they genuinely intend to succeed in. He highlighted the role of mentors and collaborators in shaping a career, mentioning figures such as Salvador E. Luria and Maurice H. F. Wilkins as individuals whose guidance and partnership were instrumental to his own achievements.

Addressing questions about future scientific breakthroughs, Watson suggested that understanding how information is sorted in the human brain could represent a discovery as transformative as DNA. This topic held personal significance, given his son’s experiences with mental illness, and underscored his enduring commitment to using science to address complex, real-world problems.

A legacy of insight and mentorship

For those in attendance, Watson’s lecture offered more than career guidance; it provided a window into the mindset of a scientist who valued curiosity, persistence, and intellectual honesty.

Watson’s life was marked by extraordinary achievement and human complexity. From his early experiments in Chicago to his leadership at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, he helped define modern molecular biology. His story is a reminder that science is not only about discovery, but about the courage to ask questions, the patience to follow through, and the determination to leave the world a little more understood than we found it.