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| Robin Foa |
| Professor of Hematology |
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I graduated in Medicine from the University of Turin and trained in Pediatrics and Hematology at the Universities of Turin and Milan.
Between 1976 and 1979, I worked at the MRC Leukaemia Unit, Royal Postgraduate Medical School and Hammersmith Hospital of London as a Leukaemia Research Fund grant holder.
Associate Professor of Medicine first and then of Medical Oncology at the University of Turin between 1980 and 1999.
Between 1991 and 1992 on sabbatical at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center of New York.
As of November 1999 Professor of Hematology at 'La Sapienza' University of Rome.
Co-Editor of Leukemia and Lymphoma. Associate Editor of the British Journal of Haematology and of The Hematology Journal. Editor of Reviews in Clinical and Experimental Hematology. Scientific Director of Accademia Nazionale di Medicina, Genoa. Author or co-author of over 350 papers and reviews.
Together with D. Catovsky has written the book The Lymphoid Leukaemias published in 1990 in English by Butterworths and in 1991 in Italian by UTET. In 1994, in collaboration with G. Forni, A. Santoni and L. Frati, has edited the book Cytokine-Induced Tumor Immunogenicity. From Exogenous Molecules to Gene Therapy published by Academic Press.
Councillor of the European Haematology Association (EHA) and member of the education committee of EHA and of the European School of Hematology (ESH).
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Why did you go into hematology?
It largely started in the Pediatric Institute in Turin through the study of myeloid and erythroid progenitor cells in cord blood as a student and after graduating.
Who or what has most inspired you in your work?
The 3-year period spent in London at the MRC Leukaemia Unit, Hammersmith Hospital, headed by D.A.G. Galton, under the supervision of D. Catovsky. Under the same roof and at the meetings in the seminar room one could find at any given time J.V. Dacie, D.A.G. Galton, S.M. Lewis, S.M. Worlledge, D. Catovsky, J.M. Goldman and E.C. Gordon-Smith. This allowed me to enter into a new world of research and to meet and collaborate with numerous other colleagues in London, A.V. Hoffbrand, M.F. Greaves, G. Janossy, among others. A most inspiring period for a young haematologist.
Which scientific papers have made a great impression on you?
Catovsky D et al. Clinical significance of T-cells in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. Lancet 2, 751-752, 1972. Ruscetti FW & Gallo RC. Human T-lymphocyte growth factor: regulation of growth and function of T-lymphocytes. Blood 57, 379-394, 1981. Grimm EA et al. Lymphokine-activated killer cell phenomenon: lysis of natural killer-resistant fresh solid tumor cells by interleukin-2-activated autologous human peripheral blood lymphocytes. J. Exp. Med. 155, 1823-1841, 1982. Rai K et al. Clinical staging of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Blood 46, 219-234, 1975.
What is the most important lesson you've learnt in your professional life?
That a first class haematology needs to be laboratory-oriented and that a large part of our clinical activity requires careful psychological attention.
What do you consider to be your greatest achievement?
Becoming a ski instructor.
What are the best and worst aspects of your job?
The best: (a) the many personal interactions worldwide; (b) the impact of translational research.The worst: (a) the frequent sense of frustration associated with our job; (b) the inevitable long hours required.
When or where are you happiest?
A sunrise at Zabriskie Point with the family.
What do you do to relax?
Travel
What book are you reading at the moment?
The Speed of Light by Elisabeth Rosner
What's your most evocative piece of music?
Beethoven's triple concerto.
What's your favorite film?
Casablanca
What are your hobbies?
Travelling, photography, skiing
What car do you drive?
Renault Laguna Grandtour.
What are your unfulfilled ambitions?
Possibly none. This opens two options: (a) limited ambitions; (b) many ambitions fulfilled, thus maybe too arrogant! Nonetheless, a few dreams include a trip to Patagonia and Tibet, and - though a little less likely - a house in Tuscany overlooking the sea.
How would you like to be remembered?
For having managed to create in Italy a truly international haematological institute.
View Robin Foa's favorite slide
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