In an interview, Dr. Peter Piot recalled when he first saw the spindly virus under a microscope and reflected on a five-decade career spent fighting two deadly pathogens.

© Daniel Berehulak/The New York Times

On the Science desk, Victoria Jaggard spends her days pondering the universe’s most pressing mysteries.

On the Science desk, Victoria Jaggard spends her days pondering the universe’s most pressing mysteries.

Alex Gibney’s nearly four-hour documentary is deeply researched. But because the mogul has long been in the spotlight, little is new.

The ultimate tiger mom's dream child, Jamie Beaton has 12 advanced degrees from Harvard, Yale, Oxford and so on along with his Harvard undergraduate magna cum laude. (via NYTimes gift link) He lives his dream life of following his academic passions while owning his multi-million dollar company, Crimson Education. Note that his company has some controversy surrounding their tactics and success. He joins a short list of the super-educated including Benjamin B. Bolger, Michael Nicholson and Jacob Appel.

Tristan Buckmaster was on the path toward an important proof when one of the A.I. giants used its staggering resources to get there first.

© Graham Dickie for The New York Times

Joan Birman thought her major discoveries were behind her. Then came an email from a young neighbor — a girl who knew little but wanted to learn.

© Oliver Farshi for The New York Times