But, research is also about people. The
value of those who have served as my
mentors along the way cannot be under-
stated. I must mention Glenn Collins at
the University of Kentucky, in whose
lab I did an undergraduate research
thesis, to whose lab I returned for a
postdoc. Glenn has never stopped
being my chief mentor. Then there is
Richard Smith, my major professor
from graduate school. I still see his
work ethic and research approach in
everything I do. Finally, I want tosingle out Roger Boerma and Joe
Bouton at the University of Georgia—
two established faculty members who
helped me out every step of the way.Last but not least, I have had the good
fortune to have had many postdocs,
graduate students, and undergraduate
students whose thought-provoking ques-
tions and enthusiasm have led my
research forward. Seeing them move on
and progress in their own careers has
been as rewarding as the research itself.References
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190 RECOMBINANT DNA, VECTOR DESIGN, AND CONSTRUCTION