It's also worth noting the time delay between winning a Nobel prize and the work for which the prize is received - which generally is 20 or perhaps even 30 year

It's also worth noting the time delay between winning a Nobel prize and the work for which the prize is received - which generally is 20 or perhaps even 30 years. They were at a pinnacle of expertise decades before winning the Nobel prize, and arguably might not be there anymore when they do get the award - which essentially is the point of transforming from an expert to elite status.