Breaking Through
autobiographical memoir of
Hungarian American biochemist
who specializes in RNA-mediated
mechanisms (2023 Crown, New York)
The mRNA molecule exists
temporarily, to deliver
a message. I hope this
book, about my experiences
with mRNA, can deliver a
message or two:
We Can Do Better!
I believe we can improve
how science is done at
academic research
institutions. For one
thing, we might create
a clearer distinction
between markers of
prestige
-- titles, publication
records, number of citations,
grant funding, committee
appointments, etiquette,
dollars per net square footage
-- and those of quality science.
Too often, we conflate the two,
as if they're one and the same.
But a person isn't a better
scientist because she publishes
more, or first. Perhaps she's
holding back from publication
because she wants to be absolutely
certain of her data. Similarly,
the number of citations might have
little to do with the value of the
paper and more to do with external
events. . .We can also expand the
criteria by which we measure our
scientists. Most institutions
a scientist's value, first and
foremost, by their funding. But
most grants require a researcher
to define at a very high level of
detail what work they will do,
what discoveries they might make. . .
Science, at its best, is about
asking questions, trying things,
and going wherever that inquiry
takes you. It requires walking
into the unknown -- the unknown
is the very point!
(pages 315-6) ISBN 978-0-593-44316-3
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