I was always interested in science, but my specific interest in biology can be traced to two great teachers. In the seventh grade, Mr. Genereux not only taught us biology with a great deal of personal passion and a likable attitude, he brought it to life for us. I especially recall one lesson where we were reading about fish anatomy, physiology, etc. He took some people fishing off Cape Cod, and brought back enough large cod for everyone to dissect in class. He also made sure that we all knew that chemistry was an integral part of biology, teaching us about how sugar and many other useful compounds come from plants. We used to memorize chemical names as a game, so instead of using common names for things at the dinner table, we would ask for them by chemical name. The other teacher was Miss Lynch (later Mrs. Morrill), who taught me HS biology and then anatomy & physiology. She continued to stress the role of chemistry in biology, had us all dissect every week all year, and was very sincere in her desire to make sure we all had a chance to excel. She took a personal interest in my desire to become a scientist, and drove me to a couple of special science activities in nearby Boston, including the Edison Science Youth Day. She and my chemistry teacher spent extra time with me, encouraging and supporting my interest in chemistry and biology. I was torn between chemistry and biology, and was thrilled when they introduced me to the field of biochemistry. I received my PhD in biochemistry in 1983, and have never forgotten their influence in my life.
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