Just after graduation in 1966, like many of my contemporaries, I applied for research training at the National Institutes of Health. Perhaps because his wife was a poet, Ira Pastan agreed to take me into his laboratory, despite my lack of scientific credentials.

In this quote, Harold E. Varmus reflects on his early career decisions following his graduation in 1966. Like many of his peers, he applied for research training at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which was a prestigious opportunity for those interested in scientific careers. However, Varmus points out that he did not have the typical scientific credentials that might have made him an ideal candidate for such a program. Despite this, he was accepted into the lab of Ira Pastan, a respected scientist.

Varmus attributes his acceptance into Pastan's laboratory to a unique personal connection—Pastan's wife was a poet, which may have influenced Pastan's decision to take Varmus in despite his lack of a formal scientific background. This highlights the potential role of personal relationships and individual circumstances in shaping professional opportunities, particularly when there is an openness to unconventional paths or people from different disciplines.

The origin of this quote lies in Varmus's reflection on a critical moment in his early career. At the time, he was transitioning from his undergraduate education to a career in biomedicine. His experience of being taken in by Ira Pastan despite his unconventional background speaks to the importance of mentorship and opportunity in scientific careers, showing that talent and potential can be recognized beyond traditional credentials.

Through this quote, Varmus illustrates how his path into the world of scientific research was shaped by a combination of luck, mentorship, and personal connections. This moment of unexpected support was a pivotal point that led to his successful career in science and his later Nobel Prize in Medicine. Varmus’s story reminds us that nontraditional routes can sometimes lead to the most rewarding opportunities.