Dear College of Science Faculty and Staff,
In the swirl of worry around us, I hope your loved ones in the path of Hurricane Helene are safe, and that your family and friends in parts of the world torn by war are doing okay.
Despite the challenges that we face in our world today, I truly believe that anything is possible. At the excellent College of Science Community Meeting this week, Biology chair Dr. James Monaghan began his celebration of our wonderful Biology department with the story of someone whose type I diabetes has been cured. A transplant of her own cells engineered to become pancreatic beta cells that release insulin when it’s needed, has been in place for more than a year. It’s a quite extraordinary accomplishment.
The history of understanding how the pancreas regulates blood sugar is very long. The organ was first described by Greek scientists around 300BCE, but it took until 1889 before understanding that cells called Islets of Langerhans prevented diabetes. Insulin, discovered in 1921, is produced by beta cells in these Islets and allows cells to take up glucose for their needs. Insulin can treat diabetes, but it requires careful blood glucose monitoring and the price of insulin has been shockingly contentious. The goal of treating diabetes by transplanting functional beta cells has long been a dream. But the field of stem cells had to be discovered and developed before the dream could be addressed. And that is another multidecade saga of science discovery, consideration, and creative experimentation. It does seem that anything is possible, as this vast research effort comes together towards a cure for diabetes.
Scientific discovery always leads to translational, applied outcomes. I feel confident saying that. Everything we discover across extensive collaborative, cross-disciplinary research that includes the College of Science is already being applied or will be someday in ways we don’t yet know. Our research will help develop new ways to communicate, to treat almost any disease or disorder, to build new materials, new ways to harness energy, new ways to heal our planet or navigate the cosmos. Some of our research may have proximal application – work in environmental policy for example, but much may require longer to reach that point – developing new antimicrobials, or effective quantum computers, for example. In all of it is the wonderful promise and importance of scientific research.
Thank you for your work to promote the Good Power of Science Research across our College of Science and Northeastern University. From undergraduates to the most senior faculty, to members of almost every administrative unit - keeping track of people, money, grants, chemicals and space - a vast set of our college members contribute. Thank you and Congratulations for your outstanding, important work.
To our Jewish College of Science members, Shana Tovah. May your 5785 be sweet and peaceful.
Warm wishes to everyone.