DEPARTMENT OF PHILOSOPHY

Entering college, I studied chemistry and then declared my major as Philosophy in Fall, Junior Year, 1983 as the academic discipline was “less vertical” than the sciences.  The primary impetus for this was two-fold: (1) my father, a prominent M.D., was diagnosed with cancer and died just after my freshman year in college; (2) the impact of studying philosophy was a stronger “force” due to the loss of a loved one during a vulnerable period of my later adolescent life, and the strength of NU’s philosophy department courses, guidance and wisdom conveyed by mentor, philosopher, and existentialist, Prof. David M. Levin. I studied under him and concentrated on phenomenology and existentialism.

Professor Levin became a profound influence and guide in young adult life and learning, as I was impacted by his classes and teachings in philosophy, ways of living, developing thinking and writing skills that I have used throughout my professional adult life to think, communicate, solve problems analytically, work in science and medical neuroscience research, and teach in academic sciences, corporate industrial healthcare sciences, and college chemistry. The early study and training in philosophy has provided me the development of higher order thinking skills in order to work life as it is actually lived, ask the more profound questions in life, while attempting to answer those questions with concrete data and truths and opportunities of earning a sensible, practical living. 

I have held successful academic and industrial experiences in premiere settings that I attribute to the early study of philosophy and liberal arts and sciences at Northwestern, as well as an advanced graduate degree from Northwestern. As a trained chemist and professional educator, I worked in the healthcare medical diagnostics industry for over a decade, with combined adolescent and adult teaching experiences for over two decades, and over ten years of fundamental medical research experience, almost eight of those years at Feinberg School of Medicine, laboratory of Magerstadt Memorial Professor of Physiology, Dr. John F. Disterhoft. As a 20 year member of the American Chemical Society, I am also adjunct professor instructor of Chemistry and Biomedical Sciences College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, since 2009. As a retired professional musician, I have performed on occasion.