Narratives from Science & Medical Professionals from across the globe

These true stories feature the life journeys of men who chose careers in science and medicine. Each story explores their values and beliefs in personal and professional paths, and where these sometimes aligned and diverged.

Karel “Ton” Schat was born in the Netherlands during the Second World War. Ton’s upbringing was very secular and he remains a “devout” atheist. With training in veterinary medicine and a penchant for a career in research and international development, he completed projects in Nigeria and Mexico before doing his PhD in Ithaca, New York. He subsequently joined the faculty at Cornell University and continued ground-breaking research on viral diseases of chickens including development and commercialization of a vaccine. Read more…...

Anwar Hassan was born in Malaya when the country was still a British colony and under threat of a Communist insurgency. As he put it, he was born into a Muslim family and didn’t have an option with religion. Having an extroverted personality, both people and nature intrigued him. Observing bacteria under a microscope triggered an interest in research which eventually led to service in the veterinary sciences, multinational engagement and community service. Read more…….