What is the Power List Reading?: Part 1

Cole Biehl: I would go with my favorite book, “Behave: The Biology of Humans at our Best and Worst” by Robert Sapolsky. I majored in Neuroscience and Behavior during my undergraduate years at Florida Atlantic University and have always been fascinated by humans, particularly our brains. This book changed the way I think about human nature and our behavior. Not only will this book help you understand yourself and others better, it is a well-written and entertaining read. Honestly, it was a close call between Sapiens and Behave, but as an aspiring neuropathologist, suggesting a book based on brain science just felt right.

Deeksha Sikri: "The Emperor of All Maladies" by Siddhartha Mukherjee – I recommend this to all my students! This book, written by a physician, bridges the gap between science and humanity, offering a poignant perspective on our understanding of cancer through patient stories. Primarily for medical students, this book uses real-life scenarios to introduce oncology concepts and inspire curiosity. I often quote examples from it, such as using hCG as a tumor marker, naming Reed Sternberg cells in Hodgkin lymphoma, and multidrug chemotherapy regimens for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. It makes teaching oncology more realistic and shows how far we've come, paving the way to better understand and combat one of medicine's biggest challenges.

Eduardo Alcaraz: I have two: "The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer", written by Siddhartha Mukherjee, and "Advice for a Young Investigator", by the Nobel laureate Santiago Ramon y Cajal – the latter I usually recommend and sometimes gift to my students.

Hansini Laharwani: “The Man Who Knew Infinity" by Robert Kanigel is a remarkable book. It tells the inspiring story of Srinivasa Ramanujan, a self-taught mathematical genius from India who made significant contributions to mathematical analysis, number theory, infinite series, and continued fractions. Despite having no formal training, Ramanujan's work caught the attention of the renowned British mathematician G.H. Hardy, leading to a productive but brief collaboration at the University of Cambridge.

This book is not just a biography; it delves deep into the cultural and social context of Ramanjuan’s life, the profound challenges he faced, and the extraordinary intuition and creative qualities that led to his groundbreaking discoveries – many of which are still being explored today. For scientists, this book provides inspiration and a profound understanding of how passion, perseverance, and intellectual curiosity can overcome significant barriers. It encourages an appreciation for the diverse paths that lead to scientific discovery and the importance of being open to novel ideas and perspectives.

Harry James Gaffney: "Power and Progress: Our Thousand-Year Struggle Over Technology and Prosperity" by Daron Acemoglu and Simon Johnson is a must-read for pathologists. It explores the history of technological advancements and their impact on societies and economies, offering valuable lessons on the interplay between technology, society, and progress – especially relevant with the rise of AI in pathology. This book provides a thought-provoking framework for considering the future of pathology in an AI-driven world, emphasizing the importance of using technology to drive meaningful progress and better patient outcomes.

Stephanie Whitehead: "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot tells the true story of an African American woman whose cancer cells, taken without her knowledge or consent in the 1950s, became one of the most important tools in medicine and a cornerstone of medical research. These cells, known as HeLa cells, played a pivotal role in developing the polio vaccine, cancer treatments, and numerous other scientific advancements. The book not only looks at the scientific achievements made possible by HeLa cells but also serves as a powerful reminder of the human side of scientific research and the impact of the work we do in the laboratory.

Woo Cheal Cho: “The Three-Body Problem” is a book that all scientists should read. Not just because of its exploration into the potential existence of aliens (which I am a firm believer in the existence of, as it only makes sense statistically), but also because it raises profound questions about how scientific discovery and technological advancements impact humanity, ethics, and the universe. This novel encourages readers to critically examine the consequences of scientific pursuits and innovations, making it a thought-provoking and essential read for anyone who loves science.

Anna Marie White: “All That Remains” by Sue Black.

Debbie Gonzalez: I am a big believer in reading leadership books, even if one has no desire to become a leader, you can still be a role model and each of us has an opportunity to help create a positive work environment and culture. I enjoy anything written by Simon Sinek, the one I am reading now is “Leaders Eat Last”.

Janelle Fabian: “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.” I went to PA school in Baltimore and was fascinated by this book. It's a reminder that there is a patient and a family behind every cell and every specimen.

Heather Keir: "The Eight" by Katherine Neville is a worthwhile read for scientists, despite being a historical thriller rather than a scientific text. The novel's blend of history, mathematics, and chess can inspire scientists to think beyond their fields, fostering creative problem-solving and interdisciplinary thinking. Its rich historical context helps scientists understand the evolution of knowledge and how culture influences scientific progress. The book's focus on chess emphasizes strategic thinking and pattern recognition, key skills in scientific research.

Additionally, Neville's storytelling can improve scientists' communication skills, making their work more engaging. The novel also explores themes like power, knowledge, and ethics, prompting reflection on the ethical implications of scientific work. Overall, "The Eight" offers intellectual stimulation, a broader perspective, and an enjoyable break from technical reading.

John Overton: I feel like scientists have read a lot of serious books… maybe it would serve us well to read something that makes us laugh or transports us into a different world. Douglas Adam’s “Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” has been doing that for me recently, but admittedly I haven’t finished it yet…

Katalin Gocze: I highly recommend "Breaking Through: My Life in Science" by Katalin Kariko, the winner of the Nobel Prize in Medicine for research that led to the COVID-19 vaccines. The book shares her journey from post-war Hungary to her brilliant scientific career, highlighting her persistence and dedication to science.

Andrea Deyrup: A book that I think all people should read is “Under the Sky We Make: How to Be Human in a Warming World” by Kimberly Nicholas. We are in a climate emergency and we must focus, commit and act. Dr. Nicholas offers a thoughtful assessment and action items to help us understand the scope of the problem, work through feelings of overwhelming doom and existential angst, to finally arrive at coherent and targeted action. We cannot wait any longer.

Niki Boisso: “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” by Rebecca Skloot. Before reading this book, I had never heard of Henrietta Lacks or HeLa cells, despite my many science classes. Her story was also absent from my medical ethics classes, even though it’s highly relevant to discussions on the ethics of human research subjects. The book made me wonder about the many other people who have unknowingly contributed to science and medicine, whose stories remain untold.

We often take for granted the laws that protect our medical records and choices. For example, HIPAA feels so ingrained in our work that it’s surprising to realize it’s actually quite recent. It was eye-opening to learn that protections for lab animals existed as early as 1910, but similar protections for humans weren’t established until after the Nuremberg Trials in the 1940s. The idea that ethical standards like informed consent are relatively new concepts is hard to grasp.

The book also raises important questions about who should profit from medical research. Who owns the samples? Who decides their use? Additionally, it touches on ongoing issues in medicine, such as medical equality and patient education. Throughout the book, it’s clear that Henrietta Lacks’ family was kept in the dark about what was happening to her cells and the advancements being made. While the initial lack of communication might be seen as a sign of the times, it’s a strong reminder to scientists today that taking the time to explain things to patients and their families can have a significant positive impact on their well-being.

“The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” combines historical facts with personal details about Henrietta Lacks’ life, including conversations with her family. Reading this book was an important reminder that behind every sample in the lab is a human being with a story, and the decisions we make in the lab matter. In pathology and laboratory medicine, we often don’t get to hear the human side of the specimen’s story.

Norman Zerbe: “A Brief History of Time: From the Big Bang to Black Holes” by Stephen W. Hawking.