Barry Coller, MD
American Society of Hematology President - 1998
Vice President for Medical Affairs and Physician-in-Chief, David Rockefeller Professor, Allen and Frances Adler Laboratory of Blood and Vascular Biology
The Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Q: How did you become interested in the field of hematology? Research in particular?
A: I had a great mentor, Dr. Marjorie Zucker at NYU.
Q: Why do you think it is important for people to get involved in this field?
A: It is rewarding and beneficial to society.
Q: In your experience, what is the most difficult or challenging aspect of becoming a hematologist in the United States?
A: It requires a long time to develop expertise and it is repeatedly ego deflating!
Q: How do you feel advances in technology (recent or past) have helped you along the way, be it in your studies or in general practice?
A: Technology drives everything, which is why it is so exciting. Each day new technology makes it possible to do better research and deliver better care.
Q: What do you find to be most rewarding about a career in hematology research?
A: The ability to merge science and humanism to help people. The ability to teach the next generation of hematologists.
Q: Finally, what advice might you have for a younger person who will be pursuing a career in this field?
Go for it! It is the greatest!