Dan Worthley: Reflecting on my time at Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center

Dan Worthley, Gastroenterologist at Colonoscopy Clinic, shared a post on LinkedIn:

“Microbial Healthcare Symposium!

Location: Brisbane, Customs House
Date: 11-12 July, 2024

Reflecting on my time at Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, where I worked as a post-doctoral researcher from 2010 to 2015, I remember the steep learning curve and the challenges.

I arrived in New York as a Gastroenterologist, with a PhD and an MPH from The University of Queensland.

But, I knew I had much to learn, particularly in cell and cancer biology. That was why I was there. I immersed myself in understanding the tumour microenvironment.

The journey was demanding and fun, often involving all-night lab sessions and a deep dive into molecular cloning (thank you, Tom Maniatis, Gerard Karsenty, Timothy Cragin Wang, Francis Y. Lee, and Chyuan-Sheng Lin).

I also had the privilege of working alongside brilliant physician-scientists from around the globe. The friendships and professional connections I made in New York City remain invaluable (and I really miss Coogan’s!

It was also the city where my daughter Chloe was born, where my son James went to preschool, and where my amazing wife, and endocrinologist, Liza Phillips, earned another degree from Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. All adding personal delights to the professional journey.

The highlight of my professional experience at Columbia, however, was meeting Siddhartha Mukherjee. Despite his many accolades, including a Pulitzer Prize for ‘The Emperor of All Maladies,’ and being a member of the National Academy of Medicine, Sid remained willing to teach, to help and to mentor.

Sid’s scientific curiosity and generosity have been transformative for many scientists. This was especially true for my post-doc project, and we continue to work closely together.

Sid’s influence extends beyond his scientific research; his contributions as a physician, scientist, author, and entrepreneur are unparalleled.

His recent book, ‘The Song of the Cell,’ is a testament to his visionary approach to cellular therapies, which are now revolutionizing cancer care and medicine more broadly.

We are honoured to have Professor Mukherjee as a keynote speaker at our inaugural Microbial Healthcare Symposium in Brisbane.

This event is a unique opportunity to explore the future of cellular healthcare and the concept of life healing life, a vision beautifully rendered in Sid’s TED talk.

If you haven’t read his books, you should; if you haven’t read his papers, you must; and you shouldn’t, absolutely shouldn’t, miss the opportunity to hear him speak.

Please register now and hear from one of the most influential figures in modern medicine. For more information and to register, click here.”

Additional information.
Source: Dan Worthley/LinkedIn