Choosing a career in either the arts or in the sciences can lead to many great things.
Dr. William A. Haseltine has had a successful career in both the arts and the sciences and in the process has come to be considered one of the most influential business people in the country.
Dr. Haseltine, who will be speaking at Seton Hall Monday, Nov. 17, is a biologist, philanthropist and respected medical researcher best known for his pioneering research in HIV and AIDS, cancer and genomics.
He is the founder of several biotech companies including Human Genome Sciences, which is considered a pioneer in applying human genomics to the development of medical drugs. He is currently the chairman and president of ACCESS Health International, Inc., a nonprofit organization that is working to provide quality health care to underserved areas around the world.
In 2001, Time magazine named Dr. Haseltine one of the 25 most influential people in the business.
“I was aware of some of the scientific research and breakthroughs that over the last 30 years have occurred in cancer, HIV, AIDS and in general human disease treatment,” Dr. Jose Lopez, assistant professor in the department of physics said. “However, I was not aware of all the unsung heroes involved in these scientific accomplishments and breakthroughs. Dr. Haseltine was, and continues to be, a very important figure in many areas of medical breakthroughs and health care.”
Dr. Lopez said Dr. Haseltine’s life’s work reflects the mission at SHU in developing servant leaders. His work shows how leader- ship and service can lead to societal contributions.
Dr. Haseltine was unavailable to comment for this article due to his schedule. At Seton Hall, he is expected to speak about excellence, leadership and service, as well as how to succeed in business and science. Among other things, Dr. Haseltine was also a professor at Harvard Medical School and Harvard School of Public Health from 1976 to 1993, where he founded two research departments; the Division of Human Retrovirology and the Division of Biochemical Pharmacology. He has contributed over 200 manuscripts of peer reviewed articles and several books throughout his career.
The Joseph A. Unanue Latino Institute will host Dr. Haseltine’s event at the Chancellor’s Suite in the University Center on Nov. 17 at 6 p.m. Other sponsors are the Stillman School of Business, the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Nursing and the College of Education and Human Services.
According to Denisse Oller, executive director of the Latino Institute, Dr. Haseltine was a great fit for the speaker’s series because of his previous work as an educator and his interest in health care access issues that affect countries in Latin America and around the world.
“Dr. Haseltine will be sharing his life lessons and expertise in four major subjects that he has excelled in throughout his life, namely business, science, nonprofit work and education,” Oller said. “Having founded six successful biotechs, having done pioneer research work in HIV and AIDS and genome research, teaching at Harvard and having an international nonprofit which has as a mission to provide access to health globally, I know Dr. Haseltine can inspire all of us.”
Miguel Diaz can be reached at miguel.diaz@student.shu.edu.
