Wafik El-Deiry, former Associate Dean for Oncologic Sciences and Founding Director of the Cancer Center at Brown University, shared on LinkedIn:
“A wonderful interview I heard on Science Friday with Professor Jennifer Doudna and there was much that resonates.
A couple of thoughts.
During the interview, Dr. Doudna said something about how scientists like to answer questions.
This made me immediately think about basic science for science’s sake and translational science where the goal is to solve a problem rather than just answer a question.
Of course in the end CRISPR is solving real world problems although there are caveats as she mentioned for example with germ-line editing or messing around with mosquito populations.
Another thought and this is one that goes back decades revolves around a characterization of scientists as geeks (or as some have referred to them as lab rats).
As a physician-scientist, I never liked or appreciated being referred to as a lab rat although I have referred to myself sometimes as a bit of a geek.
However, I think scientists, like all people in general have numerous aspects to their lives some of which are quite interesting when it comes to their appreciation of music, culture, travel, the outdoors, cuisines, as well as talents and hobbies.
For example, for the last several years I have enjoyed boating in New England on the waters of the great state of Rhode Island.
I would add that there is a thrill to discovery that occurs with breakthrough research. I had that privilege back in 1993 when the first mammalian cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21 (WAF1) was discovered as a target of the tumor suppressor p53 and as a universal cell cycle regulator.
Very little comes close to making a breakthrough discovery and having an opportunity to drive subsequent research at a time when few others in the world are pursuing similar work.
But for me as my career progressed in translational and clinical directions, I have found another thrill, which involves a discovery that ultimately has had both scientific significance in connecting p53 to the innate immune system but also eventually through drug discovery of TIC10/ONC201 and development efforts in my lab, direct benefit to patients suffering with horrible diseases, such as cancer, including brain tumors.
Entrepreneurship is a path all scientists can think about and may pursue as they learn more about the Bayh Dole Act.
I would say scientists are interesting people and that the careers of scientists have much to offer most young people.
It is interesting these days to see stories coming out of Asia, about how scientists are celebrated in society, in general, which is something we don’t see much in the west beyond those who receive widespread recognition such as Dr. Doudna and others.
We need to support science as it brings hope for humanity.
Jennifer Doudna on what it takes to be a good scientist.”
Other articles from Wafik El-Deiry on OncoDaily.