Japanese chemist Ryoji Noyori joined two American joint winners of this year's Nobel prize in chemistry at a news conference in Stockholm on Friday where he spoke of the beauty and excitement of chemical science.
"Chemistry is beautiful and exciting. Besides, it is beneficial to humankind," Noyori said.
The 63-year-old Nagoya University professor said he felt honored to be recognized for his work on chirally catalyzed hydrogenation and oxidation reactions -- a field that has contributed to the development of important drugs such as antibiotics, anti-inflammatories and heart medicines.
Noyori, who shared the Nobel prize with two American chemistry researchers -- William Knowles and K. Barry Sharpless -- is scheduled to deliver a commemorative lecture at Stockholm University on Saturday.
Noyori said he plans to talk about his personal experience and on what led him to pursue a career in chemical science in order to provide inspiration and encouragement to young people.
The Nobel Prize awards ceremony is scheduled for Monday.
Noyori arrived in Stockholm on Wednesday, traveling with his wife, Hiroko, and their two sons.