Steven T. Rosen, MD, FACP, Director, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University

The world remains in unsettling turmoil. War and destructive violence have fragmented too many nations. There is a sense that ethnic and religious differences will continue to divide the planet. However, in the microcosm of the Cancer Center, we see refreshing harmony and hope for the future.

Each laboratory has its own culture. But the main goals of scientific investigation and training are shared students' journeys from all over the globe to study and initiate their careers. They also learn the beauty of diversity and the solace that comes with tolerance. We are a community of scholars and divisive behavior is not acceptable.

The glue is passion and healthy ambition. The goal is to make a difference and make your contribution. Long hours and the frustrations of failed experiments are the challenges that unite. It is the exhilaration of discovery that is at the core of each individual.

Though our program is very special, it is not unique. There are scores of Cancer Centers throughout our land and most countries with identical environments. This is the power of academia and its culture of intellectual curiosity. In these times of chaos, it provides hope for future reconciliation and peace.