Nordic Life Science 1
MEDICINE // FREDERICK J. RAMSDELL FACTS FREDERICK
J. RAMSDELL Age: 64 Born: Elmhurst, Ill, USA Nationality: American Current role: Senior advisor at Sonoma Biotherapeutics Education: B.S., University of California, San Diego, and Ph.D., University of California, Los Angelesy Personal: Married to Laura O’Neill, has two dogs, enjoys hiking in national forests, and spending time outdoors When the famous Nobel call came, Fred Ramsdell was off the grid – out hiking with his wife. T hat one class changed the way Ramsdell thought about systems in the human body. “I used to think that the whole immune system was responsible for all diseases, and, after what I learned, I wanted to study it even more.” He went on to earn his doctorate in immunology from the University of California in Los Angeles. “There is a fear that the US has a lack of faith and trust in science” While US scientists continue to make breakthroughs, the cancelling of many research grants has generated an atmosphere of uncertainty within the scientific community about individual careers and the position of the US globally. “So much funding has come and gone, but what’s unusual is how it’s happened,” says Ramsdell, noting that the cuts seem arbitrary. “There is a fear that the US has a lack of faith and trust in science, and if that’s the case, why would we give it money? Until that trust is regained, people are not going to support funding. The US has led in medical innovations over the past five decades, I’m afraid if we lose that it will be bad for us and bad for the world.” In the past funding for biomedical research was consistent because the country’s leaders wanted to cure diseases and that strategy worked. “Twenty to thirty percent of melanoma patients now die of something else,” according to Ramsdell. “But without that long-term vision and support, we’re not going to have those successes anymore.” The fact that the funding outlook is so unsettled also sends the wrong message to upcoming scientists. “If you are a young scientist, the uncertainty of that is very challenging. Why go into the field if you are not going to have support? Faith in and commitment to solving problems and research must be restored,” he says. For those just starting out their careers, Ramsdell says he would remind them to stay in the present. “Pay attention, be in the moment whatever you are doing, whether it is dinner with a spouse or sitting in a class, be present. Don’t spend much time thinking about the past and the future.” NLS NORDICLIFESCIENCE.ORG | 39