By Laurie Burstein
Four scientists with strong ties to St. Louis share their thoughts on how and why they got into the field of science, exciting projects they are working on, and why they love what they do.
Dr. Ranier
W. Bussmann
Missouri Botanical Garden
Dr. Ranier
W. Bussmann joined the Missouri Botanical Garden last November
as director of the William L. Brown Center for Plant Genetic Resources.
As an ethnobotanist, vegetation ecologist and conservationist,
Dr. Bussmann's department is responsible for everything that has
to do with useful plants.
"That
means we study how people all over the world can use plants in
all kinds of ways," Dr. Bussmann explains. "Whether
it's for traditional medicine, herbal supplements, food, bio fuel
or fibers, we study how plants can be used in any way possible."
Dr. Bussmann says that today his field is becoming more important as research and exploration is leading to new applications for plant-based medicine. And the Missouri Botanical Garden has one of the largest research programs with projects all over the world.
"We are
really in a renaissance of plant use and are working to find new
food resources to improve the nutrition in developing countries,
" he says. "This is a very exciting time to be in this
field."
Dr. Bussmann adds that his department is working in at least a dozen countries now with large projects to study crops and plants in places like Peru, Madagascar and Indo China. Here they look at how plants can be safely produced so local communities can get income, while being mindful of rainforest conservation and global climate change.
"We
also focus on bringing back plants to the U.S. for traditional
drug discovery and the herbal market, as well as the food/beverage
industry for coffees, teas and chocolate. Plants have so many
uses today," Dr. Bussmann says.
Dr. Bussmann
explains that the plant science field has dramatically changed
in the last two decades. "Before we simply documented information
about plants, but today there is such a demand for finding plants
for drug discovery and new foods. And with developments like climate
resistant crops and the demand for new herbal medicines, there
are many important developments," he says.
Dr. Bussmann first became interested in science in his native Germany. As a high school student, he had a teacher who encouraged him when he started breeding butterflies and studying plants. At 14,
Dr. Bussmann knew he wanted to get a Ph.D. in botany. One of his first jobs was studying the tropical mountain forests
in East Africa. His twenty-year career includes teaching and research positions at various universities in the United States. He is the author of more than 150 papers and several books.
There are
many things Dr. Bussmann loves about his field. "I love the
daily thrill of finding new plants that can contribute to better
health and nutrition. I also get to meet very interesting people
every day whether it's politicians, other scientists, or a nomad
in a mud hut. It's fascinating to be around many different people
in many different settings."
For students
wanting to get into science, Dr. Bussmann's advice is to study
what they are really interested in no matter what people may say.
"I am
a good example of this strategy," Dr. Bussman says. "When
I first started studying, I was told by one person not to study
botany and that I would never get a job. I pursued my studies
in botany anyway, and it worked out very well. My studies got
me around the world doing what I love to do. My advice is don't
stop in front of closed doors. Keep pursuing what you love."
Dr. Daniel
Getman
Pfizer Inc.-St. LouisLaboratories
Daniel P.
Getman, Ph.D. is vice president of Pfizer's global research and
development and director of the St. Louis Laboratories.
Dr. Getman's
expertise and training is in synthetic organic chemistry and he
has spent more than 25 years in pharmaceutical research and development.
During his career, he has held positions with Monsanto, Searle
and Pharmacia before joining Pfizer in 2003. His research experience
includes drug discovery in the areas of arthritis,
cancer and infectious diseases including AIDS. Dr. Getman is an inventor of over 50 U.S. patents and the co-author of nearly 25
publications.
As director
of research and development for Pfizer's St. Louis labs, Dr. Getman
is responsible for 1,200 people including 1,000 scientists. In
St. Louis, Dr. Getman says there are two main areas of focus:
1) inflammation with an emphasis on arthritis. Pfizer scientists
are working on the next generation of drugs to treat several forms
of arthritis. 2) biologic drugs which include protein-based medicines.
These have great potential in treating many diseases including
cancer and arthritis.
These two
areas are exciting because they are at the forefront of science
Dr. Getman says. "We are at the forefront of new technology
to develop new medicines against a variety of diseases,"
he says. "The bottom line is we have the potential to have
a major impact on diseases that affect millions of people around
the world."
"When
I worked in the lab doing medicinal chemistry, I used to tell
people I had the best job in the world," Dr. Getman says.
"I can come into the lab and make a new composite that has
the potential to make a huge difference in people's lives. Today,
I lead a large group of people at Pfizer who have the opportunity
to impact people's lives."
Dr. Getman says he first got into science in high school when he was lucky to have
a chemistry teacher who really got him
excited about science. He worked in the lab every day after school and his teacher got him a summer job working with a graduate student where his job began with cleaning the lab. This eventually led to more internships, and Dr. Getman found he loved being in the lab and being part of a team.
"Some
people might think scientists work by themselves, but there is
a tremendous amount of camaraderie in working in the lab. You
are part of a team working together, and it's a very exciting
process," Dr. Getman says.
"I think
we are in the midst of another revolution in terms of medicine,"
Dr. Getman says. The amount of knowledge and technology we now
have is unbelievable. We have the human genome, but our challenge
is to decide how we best use the knowledge and technology."
For those
seeking a career in science, Dr. Getman says, "Science is
a great career because there is a lot of opportunity for people
who want to make a difference and who want to be a part of a team.
The nice thing about science is that you always continue to learn,
it's not static."
Dr. Getman
continues, "My advice for students is to really get out and
experience science. The best thing I ever did was work in the
lab. Go to your science teacher and ask where you can get some
practical experience and exposure."
Dr. Getman
is also enthusiastic about science in St. Louis. "St. Louis
has a critical mass of great institutions and scientists here.
We are starting to become more well-known through our educational
facilities and science-based companies, and are seeing more start-up
companies. I believe we have built a solid base that is ready
to take off. I think it's a really exciting time for both science
and for the St. Louis area."
Dr. Jai
Nagarkatti
Sigma-Aldrich Corporation
Dr. Jai Nagarkatti is an organic chemist by training and has spent his 40-year career in the field in one form or another. Today he serves as president and CEO of Sigma-Aldrich Corporation, a $2 billion global life science company headquartered in St. Louis.
With more than 7,000 employees in
35 countries, Sigma-Aldrich produces 130,000 different chemicals used by researchers all over the world. Its products are used for lifesaving pharmaceuticals on one end of the spectrum, to flavors for food and fragrance in perfumes, and even in the chemicals found in paints to produce works of art.
Sigma-Aldrich products are also being used in new areas including chemicals for making computer chips. These chemicals are used to create the vivid colors found
in high-definition flat panel TV screens for example.
Sigma-Aldrich is known for providing chemicals to manufacturers to produce
vaccines for everything from childhood
diseases to animal health. In addition, Sigma-Aldrich develops agricultural
chemicals for pesticides.
Dr. Nagarkatti says a big part of his job is to make sure his company keeps pace with technology and delivers products to its more than one million customers around the world.
"We sell
our products in over 150 countries and we get anywhere from 15-17,000
orders a day from customers all over the world," Dr. Nagarkatti
says. ÒMost pharmaceuticals developed today use a Sigma-Aldrich
product at some stage."
Dr. Nagarkatti says his field is changing in a number of ways from people trying to get research done faster with less trial and error, to using chemicals that are biodegradable and better for the environment.
Curious by
nature, Dr. Nagarkatti says he has always been interested in why
things work the way they do. "This forms the basis for anyone
who goes into science. I was influenced by my environment with
teachers who helped shape my own curiosity."
Dr. Nakargatti
taught chemistry in India where he was born and earned a master's
degree. He came to the United States in 1970 and got his Ph.D.
in chemistry and then joined Sigma-Aldrich where he has worked
ever since. He has gone from making new products, to running plants,
to ultimately managing the company today.
Throughout his 40-year career,
Dr. Nagarkatti says he has always been
interested in finding solutions. "Today it's very satisfying
that we can make a product at Sigma-Aldrich that enables others
to create something that improves quality of life."
Dr. Nagarkatti strongly encourages those contemplating a career in the biotech
sector and says St. Louis is a great place to get experience.
"The
world needs more young people in science. We are very fortunate
that in the St. Louis community we have remarkable learning centers
and universities, as well as facilities like the Saint Louis Science
Center."
Dr. Nagarkatti
believes that there has never been a better time to be involved
in science. "We are on the cusp of achieving even greater
things as a society and the fundamental basis for everything is
science and research. The more people who get involved in science,
the more we can help solve many of the world's problems."
Dr. Ganesh
Kishore
Burrill & Company
Dr. Ganesh
Kishore has a long history of working in St. Louis and spent the
past 26 years with two well-known companies—21 years with
Monsanto and five years with Dupont. And although he recently
moved on to become managing director of the San Francisco-based
company Burrill & Co., he still considers St. Louis to be
his home.
As managing director at Burrill & Co., a venture capital group, Dr. Kishore focuses on activities in Malaysia and India, among other things. In addition, Burrill is a merchant banker and has a media group that publishes reports on biotechnology.
Dr. Kishore
specializes in technology as it relates to life sciences and biochemistry.
"We try to find applications in agriculture, food and nutrition,
and biofuels to serve consumers in all parts of the world."
He continues,
"We participate actively with entrepreneurs to see how science
can be turned into technology and technology into products and
businesses."
One of the exciting new developments Dr. Kishore identifies is that the cost of sequencing of genomes has come down dramatically making the potential for practical applications even more possible.
"One
example is that the corn genome has been sequenced recently by
a group from Washington University," Dr Kishore says. "The
way we breed corn will be more efficient. Genome sequencing has
also opened up potential in the area of synthetic biology. Through
our ability to mobilize genes into microorganisms, we will be
able to construct almost anything we want from fuel that will
replace gas and diesel fuel to making an anti-malaria drug. "
"And
with human genome sequencing, we will be able to ward off diseases
and experience a state of well being that mankind has never seen,"
he adds.
As a young
student in India, Dr. Kishore knew he wanted to get into science
at an early age. "I was fortunate to read and learn about
biology and it really drew my attention. My father wanted me to
be an electronic engineer, but I chose biochemistry and he trusted
me to make my own decision."
In 1980, Dr. Kishore came to the United States and was the third biochemist hired by Monsanto. He went on to work on
several huge products including NutraSweet and took a leadership role in developing the technology behind Roundup Ready. He became the chief biotechnologist for Monsanto during his 21-year career with the company. He then went on to work with DuPont for five years and served as chief biotechnology officer.
Dr. Kishore says he has never looked back from his early decision to become a biochemist and says scientists really have an opportunity to make an impact both locally and globally.
"The
interfacing of chemistry, biology and physics is where the action
is today," Dr. Kishore says. "Our challenge is to address
the kind of problems we have and serve humanity. Technology and
science are the keys to everything from the way we produce food,
to how to care for an aging population, to climate change."
And although his new company is based in San Francisco, Dr. Kishore speaks very highly of St. Louis as a biotech hub.
"St.
Louis is one of the country's secret jewels," he says. "We
have so many fantastic institutions in the region. In St Louis,
you can do exciting work and interact with great people, while
still being connected globally."
In terms of
advice for students, Dr. Kishore says, "Really focus on being
a scientist and don't get distracted. It's hard work, but with
skills and imagination you can be successful. "
Even after
a long successful career, Dr. Kishore is still excited about the
field of science and has no plans to slow down. "This is
an enormously exciting time. In fact, I wish I was still a baby
since there are so many profound discoveries to be made in the
next 50 to 100 years."
20 St. Louis Scientists Are Members of
Prestigious National Academy of Science
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The National Academy of Science (NAS) is a private organization of scientists and
engineers dedicated to science and its
applications for helping mankind. It was established in 1863 by a congressional act signed by Abraham Lincoln that calls on the Academy to act as an official adviser to the federal government in any matter of science and technology.
This honorary society of distinguished scholars includes 20 members from St. Louis who are affiliated with local organizations including the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, Monsanto, Washington University, Saint Louis University, and the Missouri Botanical Garden (see list at the right).
Members of the NAS who live in St. Louis also become fellows of the St. Louis Academy of Science. Each has a highly selective process for identifying members.
Barbara Schaal, a professor of biology at Washington University, is a member and
vice president of the NAS. In this role, she heads various scientific programs for the NAS and recently got back from a meeting in Budapest, Hungary regarding bio-security.
"Being
elected to the National Academy of Science is one of the
highest honors you can achieve in the field of science,"
Schaal says. "Members have achieved very distinguished
scientific accomplishments in their respective fields and
are called on to act as advisors to the government,"
she says.
Schaal says members serve a functional role by serving on committees to provide advice to the government in the areas of biochemistry, physics, energy, technology, medicine, etc. Scientists volunteer their time to study specific issues to improve health, education and the general welfare of the entire population.
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National Academy of Science
Members from St. Louis |
Roger Beachy, Donald Danforth Plant Science Center
Meinhart Zenk, Donald Danforth Plant Science Center
Peter Raven, Missouri Botanical Garden
William Knowles, Monsanto
William Sly, Saint Louis University
Washington University Faculty:
Ramanath Cowsik
Carl Frieden
Jeffrey Gordon
Ira Hirsh
David Kipnis
Stuart Kornfeld
Philip Majerus
Philip Needleman
Marcus Raichle
Barbara Schaal
Nobuo Suga
Eric Trinkaus
Emil Unanue
Clifford Will
Wayne Yokoyama
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