So I applied to medical school and received a scholarship at Washington University in St. Louis. Washington University turned out to be a lucky choice. The faculty was scholarly and dedicated and accessible to students.

As I look back on the last few decades of my life, I am struck by the good fortune that came my way.

First of all, many human diseases are influenced by, if not caused by mutations in genes.

At every stage of my career I have had interesting and cordial colleagues, some of whom are close friends.

My education began in the public schools of Wilmington. During most of these years, from about age 10, I also worked at some job or other after school, on weekends, and in the summer months.

And of course, identifying all human genes and proteins will have great medical significance.

The glimpses of human strength and frailty that a physician sees are with me still.