Carnivorous plants

Figure 1. Carnivorous plants. When we chew and then swallow meat, we stimulate glands (pancreatic acinar cells) to secrete hydrochloric acid and proteases. Amino acids released into the human stomach by the acidic lytic sap are forwarded to and taken up by the intestine. When compared with the human endocrine system, the Venus flytrap also operates as a mouth, stomach and intestine, all combined. Artwork by Irina Yurchenko. I became an assistant professor at the Michigan State University, DOE, PRL when I was 39 years old. My colleagues and mentors at the PRL provided a local environment that was both stimulating and challenging, encouraging me to be the best possible scientist I could be. What I achieved was also due to the chance of time. I am a product of the age of molecular biology and now genomics with its rapidly expanding knowledge bases and incredible information systems made possible by technological growth. This lucky moment in history has allowed all of us here today the privilege to be pioneers of new and fascinating frontiers. I also sincerely believe in giving back to the system from which I benefited so greatly. Although my primary interest is still my lab and my science, I accepted several big responsibilities of leadership within our field. I now work toward many objectives on behalf of a scientific community as well as my own personal interests. At the PRL, I learned not only how to run a lab and to do science but also how to be an effective and thoughtful leader. Only later when I became an Editor in Chief of the largest plant journal, Plant Physiology, and a founding director of the Center for Plant Cell Biology, and later a director of the Institute for Integrative Genome Biology at the University of California Riverside did I realize how essential these years at the PRL were for me. As with my past work, my current work depends upon the efforts of many, more numerous than I can ever list — my students, postdocs, friends, and colleagues, for whom I feel much gratitude. I hear very often now about what an exceptionally difficult time it is for young people, and I agree that it is not easy. But it is never ever easy! I never dreamt of being where I am today, but I always worked very hard and loved doing science. The reason I am sharing a little bit of my story with you is because I want young people to see that, with all the pluses and minuses, we are very fortunate to live in this incredible country. There is no place in this world that offers an opportunity to reach for the stars — one only needs to work hard, be creative and love what he/she is doing.