*Due to a technical error, this post did not get published last week. I apologize for the delay*
January 21, 2009
It’s great to be back from my trip last week to Costa Rica to participate in the Breast Cancer Think Tank, organized in part by Marc Lippman. The quality of the science at this meeting is especially high, and I identified two to three new possible collaborations based on my presentation and those of participants. It was also a fantastic venue for a meeting, and the camaraderie that results at a meeting like this really shows in the quality of the participants and the quality of the discussions. Plus, the rain forests are spectacular.
On Monday night, I had the privilege of attending Georgetown University’s celebration of the Martin Luther King, Jr., celebration at the Kennedy Center. In addition to a reception the program, which included the Georgetown University choir (featuring our very own Mia Caparas), featured Nuttin’ But Stringz. They are a duo of violinists that merges hip hop and classical form with stunning effect. There was also an amazing performance by Aretha Franklin. Coming on the eve of President Obama’s inauguration, the evening had a special poignancy.
I don’t know how many of you attended the Inauguration but Harriet and I decided to sit next to the TV. It was truly a remarkable day. I don’t know about you, but I am feeling rather optimistic about the future, and I believe the government will be supportive of innovations in science and health care.
I’ll be paying special attention to our upcoming External Scientific Advisory Committee (ESAC) visit, which is scheduled for February 3rd. I think we’ll have a lot of excellent progress to share with them.
Have a great week.