Oral History: Dr. Allen Spiegel, NIDDK Director Emeritus
на канале: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
In this oral history interview, Dr. Spiegel recounts his 33-year career at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the formative years that spawned his interest in science. Dr. Spiegel details his early years in post-war Europe and coming to America in 1949 from Poland. He also discusses the importance of his high school years in building his love for science, and how a National Science Foundation (NSF) program played a key role.
Dr. Spiegel then outlines his time at Columbia and Harvard Medical School, his two-day interview before joining the NIH, his experience collaborating with Dr. Francis Collins on the critical discovery of an endocrine tumor gene, and his renowned work in endocrinology at the NIH, including research on G-proteins and the parathyroid hormone.
Dr. Spiegel served as the Director of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) from 1999-2006. During this time, he oversaw acclaimed research such as the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) clinical trial and the HALT-C trial for treatment of Hepatitis C.
For more information, visit https://www.niddk.nih.gov/
3:58 – Developing an interest in science
25:47 – The two-day interview at the National Institutes of Health
40:01 – Transitioning to the Molecular Pathophysiology Branch
49:54 – Becoming Scientific Director
54:30 – Working with Dr. Phillip Gorden
1:03:51 – The search for a new NIDDK Director
1:24:05 – Stepping down as NIDDK director
1:30:49 – Lessons learned at the NIH