Oral Histories

Interview of Jonathon Howard

Subtitle:
Pew Scholar in the Biomedical Sciences: Jonathon Howard
Series:
Pew Scholars Program in the Biomedical Sciences
Topic:
Science, Medicine, and Technology
Interviewer:
Novak, Steven J.
Interviewee:
Howard, Jonathon
Supporting Documents:
Records relating to the interview are located in the office of the UCLA Library's Center for Oral History Research.
Language:
English
Copyright:
Regents of the University of California, UCLA Library.
Series Statement:
Interviews in this series, sponsored by the Pew Charitable Trusts, document the research of "outstanding scientists from quality institutions" chosen by the Pew Scholars Program to receive four-year stipends.
Abstract:
Childhood in Sydney, Australia; attends Australian National University; decides to pursue a Ph.D. in neurobiology; research on insect photoreceptors using signal to noise ratios; postdoc at University of Bristol; comes to University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) to work with Albert James Hudspeth; meets wife, Karla M. Neugebauer; decides to study the mechanical properties of hair cells; the gating-spring model of ion channels; decision to apply hair cell research techniques to the study of single motor proteins; uses an in vitro motility assay to record from single molecules of kinesin; the complementary nature of kinesin and myosin studies; accepts a position at University of Washington (UW); Ronald D. Vale's lab begins investigating the same line of research that Howard has been pursuing; kinesin as a mechanical system; potential therapeutic benefits of motor protein research; the harmful effects of editorial policies that encourage the publication of incorrect data; Howard's preference for exploring the hows of biology rather than its whys; his belief that individuals make unique contributions to scientific progress.