After 25 and 31 years respectively
On Thursday 10th May just after 10 o’clock we started our journey along the East Coast from New Jersey. Today there is heavy traffic on the I95 and we are thankful that our Sat-Nav directs us around the worst traffic jams. While Alberto Lee is driving at a good speed the Korean Pastor Parks is snoozing on the back seat.
After 25 years I will meet Professor Irvin Modlin in Branford at 12:30; he was my mentor at Yale University from 1991-1993. For these two years he supervised me in the laboratory and speaking in auditoriums (centre of the picture with the grey hair).
Hundreds of scientific publications written by members of his research group made their way into the world’s most important medical journals. For a while he was also a member of the advisory team responsible for choosing the Nobel Prize laureate in the medical discipline.
Professor Modlin retired years ago. But instead of spending his time in concert halls he continues working with other scientists in the cancer research field.
We arrive on time. Shortly afterwards my laptop computer is connected to a big screen and within 10 minutes I was shaking hands with my former mentor. Like so many scientists working at Harvard and Yale Professor Modlin is a Jew. Decades ago his father taught the Talmud in Cape Town.
After a snack I start my presentation. The eleven of us sitting in the room are a real international mix: from Poland, Ecuador, Korea, South Africa and even from Palestine.
For one hour we look at the pictures on the screen. Professor Modlin, who has belonged to science’s crème de la crème for his entire life, is evidently impressed. Slowly he starts to speak: “Many of my assistant doctors from back then now work as senior doctors at large American university clinics and have achieved a lot. But what has developed in Peru is far better!”
I then asked Professor Modlin, if he believes that God exists. “Of course, that is out of the question!” answers my former mentor. “And do you believe that this God is interested in us humans!” “Of course, definitely!”
Back on the motorway heading north. At 7p.m. I am addressing a group of Harvard University students. I completed my medical studies there back in 1987.
The room’s size in the Japanese restaurant is perfect for the occasion. More than 20 students and faculty members from Harvard, MIT and Boston University have come together to hear the story of Diospi Suyana. Before my presentation I talk with Kwan-Soo Kim, a neuroscience professor at Harvard. It goes without saying that he is one of the best in his field, since otherwise he would not be at Harvard.
“Do you believe in God?” I ask him. “Yes, definitely. I am a devout Christian!“
Late at night we are driving back down the East Coast. At 4a.m. the next morning Albert Lee will drive me to JFK. My flight leaves the New York airport bound for Grand Rapids Michigan at 6:15a.m.
One third of the professors at America’s elite universities are Jews, the second third Asians. Mainstream America makes up the final 30 %.
