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From Parisian Streets to NYC Skies: A Life ChangingChat with Mentor Dr. Charles Cantor.
Experience a transformative journey in ‘From Paris to NYC: Mentor Cantor’s Life-Changing Chat.’ A chance meeting in 1987 with renowned biophysicist Dr. Cantor in Paris led to an unexpected career opportunity and life lessons, fully realized in NYC.
I was a young Ph.D. student, researching DNA science in the lab at INSERM unit 15 and exploring enchanting Paris in the streets. The city’s charm and elegance had a captivating allure, and I found myself lost in its beauty. One day, while I was wandering near the Seine River, a gentleman approached me. He seemed lost and asked for directions to the river banks. I gladly obliged, offering to guide him to his destination.
As we walked, he started a conversation and asked if I could sit and chat for a while. Intrigued, I agreed, curious about this stranger who seemed so keen on conversing. Then, he introduced himself as Dr. Charles Cantor, Chairman of the Department of Molecular Genetics, Columbia University, New York. The name struck me like a lightning bolt. Dr. Cantor is the renowned author of the biophysics textbook I studied.
A wave of thrill and disbelief washed over me as I sat down with him on a bench by the river Seine. Our conversation flowed effortlessly, and then, to my utter surprise, he…