During a colloquium led by Mercè Correa and Ramón Feenstra, Schekman highlighted the importance of basic science, the very research that earned him the Nobel Prize in 2013. He explained how research into cellular metabolic processes and the role of certain proteins can be key to developing biomarkers for diseases like cancer and Parkinson's.

The professor is currently involved in an international project uniting over 35 teams from 14 countries to advance fundamental research on Parkinson's disease. He noted that years ago they began studying a genetically implicated protein for this illness, which could be useful for its diagnosis, and he anticipates a revolution in the treatment of genetic diseases driven by basic science.

Schekman also recalled two of his mentors: Arthur Koener, from whom he learned a great deal scientifically despite personal rigor, and Daniel Koshland, who taught him to be a "science citizen," a colleague rather than an isolated individual. He stressed the importance of optimizing one's personality and recognizing strengths and weaknesses. He seeks individuals who, like Lelio Orci, ask the same scientific questions, even if they take different paths to find answers, believing that "the important thing is always the question."

Regarding scientific journals and open access, the Nobel laureate described the "impact factor" as a "false and misleading number" published by large commercial companies. He considers the obsession with publishing among young scientists "toxic" and advocates for active scientists to make editorial decisions. Furthermore, he emphasized the need to educate young scientists on appropriate ethical guidelines, as the damage a young researcher can cause to their own career can be "devastating."