An unexpected benefit of my career in biochemistry has been travel.

The Brigham Young University (BYU) campus was just a few blocks from my home and tuition was minimal.

Concentrated serum albumin fractionated from blood plasma was effective in battlefield treatment of shock.

Family trips to Yellowstone and to what are now national parks in Southern Utah, driving the primitive roads and cars of that day, were real adventures.

The experience reminds me of a favorite saying: Most of the yield from research efforts comes from the coal that is mined while looking for diamonds.

I participated on debating teams and in student government, and served as senior class president.

If our society continues to support basic research on how living organisms function, it is likely that my great grandchildren will be spared the agony of losing family members to most types of cancer.