ABSTRACT
In their instructions, the editors for this volume asked each author of a chapter to “… recount your scholarly career, from its inception to its current status, and … include a projection for the future development of your work.” The initial task in response to these guidelines, of course, involves identifying the point of inception for one's scholarly career. For me, I would have to say that the beginning of my career started with the admonitions and support of my parents and it has developed since that time largely because of my good fortune in having significant interactions with a series of exceptional colleagues. Without the investments made by my parents and the influence of a number of scientific mentors and collaborators over the years, I would not have enjoyed the opportunities I have experienced in my work. Drawing on this perspective, the following pages consider the pathways I have followed in terms of the people most central to the experiences and decisions that have affected my scientific career and my goals for the future.
