EDITORIAL

PNAS Profiles: How do Academy members get started in science?

f you think that all scientists paths to becoming a scientist and in instance, physicist Francisco de la Cruz, elected to the National Academy the topics that set members on the path elected to the NAS as a Foreign Associ- of Sciences (NAS) knew at an early to election. Many members meandered ate in 2002, faced geographical isolation, age that science was their career into science and particularly into the political upheaval, and war throughout Iand enrolled in all the best schools, areas where they made important con- his life in Argentina, Spain, and the guess again. The road to NAS member- tributions. Some discovered a scientific (2). Atmospheric scientist ship is often not the straight-line trajec- edifice that was leaning in a way that Veerabhadran Ramanathan, elected to tory one might think but a winding path their particular push would topple. Oth- the Academy in 2002, overcame lan- with many roadblocks and detours. ers were just lucky. This series is valu- guage barriers as a youth in India, A new feature, called PNAS Profiles, able reading for high school and college where classes were taught in English introduces Academy members and ex- students contemplating careers in science. and not his native Tamil tongue. ‘‘[I] plores several universal themes: How Because of the popularity of the series had to figure out things on my own. I did they become scientists? How did and its importance in teaching, we are just lost the fear of the unknown,’’ he they decide on their fields? What do expanding it beyond newly elected mem- says (3). they find most interesting about their bers to include members who have made The importance of effective, inspiring career paths? These Profiles put a significant contributions to PNAS, such teachers early in life is exemplified by human face on the Academy. as former NAS President developmental biologist Constance and members of the PNAS Editorial Cepko’s start in science in the seventh Evolution of a Feature Board. Upcoming Biographies will grade. Science fair judge and U.S. De- Since 1996, newly elected NAS members profile Joseph Goldstein and Michael partment of the Interior researcher John have been invited to contribute a special Brown, Jack Halpern, Nina Fedoroff, Palmer, who took her under his wing, Inaugural Article to PNAS. Some mem- and . ‘‘would come in on Saturdays and bers contribute an original research arti- We now call these articles ‘‘Profiles’’ teach,’’ says Cepko (4). ‘‘He is the rea- cle, whereas others submit Reviews or because, although all have some bio- son I’m here.’’ Mentors later in life Perspectives. The 283 Inaugural Articles graphical material, we let the individual make a significant impact, too, such as published thus far span the interests of choose a personal point of emphasis. geneticist Nancy Hopkins’ first under- the Academy and can be browsed at The first Profile is on Bruce Alberts (1) graduate research advisor, James www.pnas.org/inaugurals.shtml. and focuses on his long-standing com- Watson. During a time when women Inaugural Articles not only under- mitment to improving science education. were rarely encouraged to pursue sci- score the scientific contributions of new ence careers, Watson nurtured and sup- Academy members but also highlight Career Insights and Highlights ported Hopkins’ scientific interest. ‘‘He members as individuals. To introduce PNAS Profiles delve into those facets told me, ‘You should be a scientist. You new members more personally, we of Academy members’ lives that have have a one-track mind,’’’ she says (5). launched a series of Biographies in No- shaped them as scientists and as individ- I hope you find these stories of role vember 2003 to accompany Inaugural uals. Key aspects include influential models, philosophies, achievements, and Articles. These Biographies briefly en- teachers and mentors, career and philo- career misgivings enlightening and capsulated and illustrated each mem- sophical shifts, geographic changes, entertaining. I look forward to your comments on how we can improve this ber’s personal history. women’s issues, fruitful collaborations, feature, which we think is an enjoyable We published 54 Biographies and and serendipitous findings. and informative addition to PNAS. have renamed them ‘‘Profiles,’’ expect- Each Profile offers a different tale of ing to present about one per issue. The how an Academy member picked his or Nicholas R. Cozzarelli, collection reveals great diversity in the her way along the path of science. For Editor-in-Chief

1. Nuzzo, R. (2005) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 102, 3. Nuzzo, R. (2005) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 102, 5. Brownlee, C. (2004) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 9109–9111. 5323–5325. 101, 12789–12791. 2. Downey, P. (2005) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 102, 4. Brownlee, C. (2004) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 3895–3897. 101, 14–15.

© 2005 by The National Academy of Sciences of the USA

www.pnas.org͞cgi͞doi͞10.1073͞pnas.0506168102 PNAS ͉ August 30, 2005 ͉ vol. 102 ͉ no. 35 ͉ 12291 Downloaded by guest on September 27, 2021