Dr. Jonas Salk who changed the world through medicine

I gave a lecture in the Department of Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine two weeks ago. Dr. Jonas Salk, who created the polio vaccine and changed our world, was a faculty member there. He did not own the patent to the vaccine. He said, "There is no patent. Could you patent the sun?" What do you think? His sole focus had been to develop a safe and effective vaccine as rapidly as possible, with no interest in personal profit. His selfless act made this world a better place. I’d like to follow him.

Eradicate devastating childhood diseases

I decided to become a doctor thirty-five years ago when I was reading a biography of Dr. Albert Schweitzer who worked as a medical doctor at his own expense in Gabon, Africa. I felt that it was my mission to eradicate devastating childhood diseases. Although I was firmly determined, I almost gave up many times. However, so many people have supported me and our research on Wolfram syndrome, juvenile-onset diabetes, and early onset-neurodegeneration is getting a lot of attention right now. Our sincere efforts in the past ten years have started paying off. I feel gratified and blessed.

My goal in the next two years is to find a treatment for Wolfram syndrome and start a clinical trial. I am committed to this task.