It is not every day you get to meet someone who lived through an important war in Nigerian history. Nevertheless, there I was, in the presence of my principal investigator, Dr. Soman Abraham. Born in Ethiopia but growing up in the eastern parts of Nigeria, Dr. Abraham lived through the Biafran war, also known as the Nigerian Civil War. He did his undergraduate and master’s program in Nigeria and his Ph.D. program in England. During his Ph.D. program, he became even more interested in research and decided to pursue a career in academia. Dr. Abraham speaks fondly of his mentor in England, who took it upon himself to write a letter to various individuals in the United States and requested a job for Dr. Abraham. Through that letter, he was able to come to the United States. He worked at Washington University in St. Louis as an assistant professor and took an interest in the immune system. During his research, he discovered the importance of mast cells in fighting bacteria.
As someone who has been to various corners of the world and met people in different cultures and communities, Dr. Abraham has a unique perspective on life. With a smile, he says, “People are all the same. They may be culturally different, but there are decent, good people everywhere.” Having the opportunity to work with people from around the world is one of the many reasons why he loves his profession. Being in academia grants him the opportunity to research abroad. He also admires that his career allows him to interact with students who stimulate his thinking and makes him reassess things. His students have diverse ideas that challenge him, and he finds joy in the constant renewal of his mind.
He considers his trainees to be his most valuable career accomplishment, for they are now performing very well in various academic institutions, pharmaceuticals, federal agencies, and other industries. He finds deep satisfaction in touching the souls of those he trains. In retrospect, he suggests that without the letter written by his mentor in England, he probably wouldn’t be where he is today—when finishing up his Ph.D. program, he never planned to work in the United States or pursue a career in academia! As a result of the pathway that his mentor caved for him, he is continuing that legacy of serving his students without expecting a thank you in return.
