Annual 2006 - Hauptman Woodward Institute - University at Buffalo

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE .... CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S MESSAGE ...
Passion pushes progress. Hypatia, the philosopher, astronomer and mathematician paid
the ultimate price for her passion and yet her teachings lived on. The daughter of Theon of
Alexandria, a teacher of mathematics with the Museum of Alexandria in Egypt, Hypatia
studied with her father, and with many others including Plutarch the Younger. She herself
taught at the Neoplatonist school of philosophy where she later was the salaried director.
She probably wrote on mathematics, astronomy and philosophy, including on the motions
of the planets, about number theory and about conic sections. She corresponded with and
hosted scholars from other cities. She was a popular lecturer, drawing students from many
parts of the Greek empire.
From the little historical information about Hypatia that survives, it appears that she invented
the plane astrolabe, the graduated brass hydrometer and the hydroscope. She dressed in the
clothing of a scholar, rather than in women's clothing and moved about freely, driving her
own chariot, contrary to the norm for women's public behavior. She exerted considerable
political influence in the city.
The new Christian bishop, Cyril, a future saint objected to Hypatia on a number of counts: she represented heretical
teachings, including experimental science and pagan religion. And she was a woman who didn't know her place. Cyril's
preaching against Hypatia is said to have been what incited a mob led by fanatical Christian monks to attack her as she
drove her chariot through Alexandria. They dragged her from her chariot, stripped her, killed her, stripped her flesh from
her bones, scattered her body parts through the streets, and burned some remaining parts of her body in the library of
Caesareum. Her students fled to Athens, where the study of mathematics flourished.
Hyaptia’s passion for the sciences and mathematics was unorthodox at that time. She pushed the boundaries and she
was fueled by her passion and she paid the ultimate price.
Our scientists too are driven by a passion – the passion to achieve a greater understanding of our science. They too make
sacrifices for their passion and I continue to be awed and impressed by the commitment of time, energy and creativity our
scientific and non-scientific staff brings to the table each day as they try to advance their science and build the strength
and success of Hauptman-Woodward. You will meet each of these terrific HWI employees on the following pages.
As most of you probably know by now, our current CEO, George DeTitta, is making his choice to return next year fulltime
to his truest passion by returning to his lab. I commend him for the leadership he has provided the Institute during
his tenure and I commend him for having the conviction to be where his passion lies – in the lab. George’s leadership
will leave a legacy and a foundation which the succeeding CEO can build upon for future, and perhaps, even greater
successes supported by the stable core of scientists and staff members who are the fabric of this facility.
Of course, I would be remiss not to acknowledge the passion that drives our friends and donors to continue to support us
in our effort to succeed and not simply survive. To our core supporters, I thank you on behalf of the Institute because you
too play an essential role in improving human health.
The combined passion of our scientists, our staff, our leaders, current and future, and our stalwart supporters also will
push our continuing progress for many tomorrows to come.
Herbert A. Hauptman, Ph.D., Nobel Laureate
President
The ties that bind us and the passion that inspires us …
I have often heard Herb speak about how his passion for science and math began as a
very young child … I have heard some of the young scientists reminisce about how their
curiosity has made the lab their second home … I have listened to our CFO discuss
balance sheets with a level of excitement only known to accountants … I have observed
our other support staff be wrapped up in a love of what they do and I know myself that
it is a love of what I do in the lab and the immense respect and appreciation I have for
my colleagues that draws me to the lab each day.
And it is that drive and curiosity about how we can do it better and the discoveries that
we can make to improve our science that has further strengthened my resolve to complete
my term as HWI CEO as of April 1, 2008.
It has been an eventful and wonderful ride in the CEO chair during a time of great
change and growth, and I am honored to have led and to continue to lead such a
tremendously talented and dedicated group of staff members – scientists and nonscientists
alike.
I will approach the next year with the same outlook as my entire time in office – I will be
mentor, manager and ultimate decision-maker for this organization until I formally hand
over the reins to my yet-to-be-chosen successor. I will enjoy this last year as HWI CEO
and then on April 1, 2008, I will happily enjoy returning full-time to my science.
I hope each of you will approach the next year with that same interactive and mutually
supportive spirit which has brought us into the second 50 years of our existence. Our
scientists, administrators, board members and community backers – I thank you for the
past year and invite you to reinvigorate your passion for HWI so we can firmly position
our science at the forefront of our field for the foreseeable future. I look forward to our
continued work together in the pursuit of scientific discovery. Whether you are growing
proteins, crystallizing them, developing new and better methods to do our science,
doing one of the many jobs that help make it possible for all of the scientists to focus on
the work in their labs, serving as a community ambassador or helping fund this critical
work – you are an essential part of this process. Thank you.
Sincerely,
George DeTitta, Ph.D.
Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director