Be endlessly curious: Interviewing Dr. Barton F. Haynes

Dr. Barton F. Haynes began his life of science at the University of Tennessee in 1969, though not sure initially of the path that life would take him, it was one of his first mentors Joseph Tipton and his zoology class that would solidify Dr. Haynes’ interest in his field. As a junior in college, he began doing lab research on hemoglobin and the difference between the protein in babies and adults. Although he didn’t see himself pursuing zoology or any hemoglobin-related research, Dr. Hayne’s fell in love with the life of research, primarily due to his mentor at the time. In fact, he speaks very highly of the people that have pushed him in the right direction through the course of his life. When asked the inspiration behind the work that he is doing, he listed off three people: Shelby Wolff, Tony Fauchi and Max Cooper. Three people that he respects, that are wonderful people inside the lab as well as in their everyday lives. Shelby Wolff, in particular, changed Dr. Haynes’ life entirely when she hired him at the National Institue of Health (NIH) allowing him to finish medical school at Baylor College and avoid his early draft number to the Vietnam War.

After Dr. Haynes’ completed his internship and residency at Duke University in 1975, he left for five years to conduct research with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). He then returned to Duke as a faculty member and managed to rack up a laundry list of titles and achievements. Some of which include establishing the Duke Human Vaccine Institute in 1990, being a member of the NIAID Advisory Council, being a fellow of the Infectious Diseases Society of America and receiving the Duke Award for Basic Science Mentoring in 2011 to name a few. While I found Dr. Haynes’ life story and accomplishments ridiculously impressive (and slightly intimidating), I also found it a waste of his time to ask him questions that his Wikipedia page could’ve answered. I instead wanted to know more about him as a pretty typical fellow Dukie.

While Dr. Haynes’ busy work day full of experiment designing, raw data evaluation and grant writing seems daunting, he says that it is his dream job and that he “still can’t believe that people actually pay [him] to do what [he] does”. However, when he isn’t busy in his lab being his usual awesome scientist self, he might be traveling the world. When asked where all he had been, his eyes widened, and I could tell neither of us had enough hours in the day for him to list off all the countries his career had taken him. He did say that he primarily travels to Africa, the Far East, and Europe. Although, his favorite travel destination actually wasn’t work related. He just happened to find himself in New Zealand while visiting his daughter studying abroad. Ironically, Dr. Haynes’ hates traveling and would much rather be at home in the states, where he can be found gardening with his wife or reading a good book. Of course my own passion for reading compelled to inquire about his top five book recommendation. In case, you’re curious:

  • The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game by Michael Lewis
  • Look Homeward, Angel by Thomas Wolfe
  • A Shropshire Lad by A. E. Housman
  • O Pioneers! by Willa Cather
  • The World Is Flat by Thomas Friedman

Dr. Haynes’ feels that his biggest career accomplishment, other than staying funded for almost half a century, is the myriad of students that came through his lab, whether post-docs, graduate students or undergraduates (like me!). He takes pride in helping young people find what they want to do in life, which should come as no surprise considering the impact that mentors had on his own life. For the young people not fortunate enough to steal away 30 minutes of Dr. Haynes’ day, he still offers sage advice for you. Find good mentors. Find caring people who have your best interest in mind and who genuinely want to see your success. Find something you really enjoy. After all, wouldn’t you want to be paid for something that you love to do for 40+ years. Go somewhere where people know how to ask the right questions. Dr. Haynes’ says that true science is about asking the right questions because simply answering questions means you aren’t truly challenging yourself. He pushes all of us to be endlessly curious in our pursuit to discovering what it is we want to do in life and to always look out for inspirational people to help get us there.

One response to “Be endlessly curious: Interviewing Dr. Barton F. Haynes

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *