Physician Scientist Seminar Series – Dr. Stuart Orkin
By Neil Chada (G3) and Yash Pershad (G2)
On March 27, 2025, the Vanderbilt MSTP had the honor of hosting Dr. Stuart Orkin for the Spring 2025 Physician-Scientist Speaker Series (PSSS) as part of the VUMC Discovery Lecture Series. Dr. Orkin is the David G. Nathan Distinguished Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School and an Investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. He is internationally recognized for his groundbreaking contributions to the understanding of hematologic diseases, most notably sickle cell disease and thalassemias, and for translating fundamental discoveries into transformative gene therapies. His work has been foundational to the development of novel, FDA-approved treatments that are reshaping the future for patients with inherited blood disorders.
As part of his visit, Dr. Orkin joined MSTP students for an evening of candid conversation about his life and career as a physician-scientist. Reflecting on more than four decades of scientific discovery, Dr. Orkin emphasized the importance of flexibility in research. He encouraged students to remain open-minded in their scientific pursuits, noting that many of his own breakthroughs came not from rigidly following a set path, but from pivoting toward new questions as the field evolved. “You can’t predict where science will take you,” he advised, “but you can position yourself to be ready when opportunity comes.”
Dr. Orkin also underscored the importance of embracing emerging technologies and methodologies. He spoke about how advances in molecular biology, genomics, and gene editing had revolutionized the questions he was able to ask—and answer—over the course of his career. Rather than fearing these shifts, he urged students to be brave and adaptive. His own transition into using CRISPR-based genome editing approaches later in his career served as a powerful example of how staying technologically agile can open entirely new avenues for meaningful clinical impact. We were inspired not only by Dr. Orkin’s extraordinary scientific achievements, but also by his thoughtful advice on building a sustainable and impactful career. His visit was a powerful reminder that flexibility, courage, and a commitment to lifelong learning can help sustain the pursuit of science despite turbulent times. We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to learn from Dr. Orkin and look forward to seeing the continued ripple effects of his remarkable career on the future of medicine.
