University Libraries Promotion and Tenure Recognition

Santhosh Girirajan Associate Professor of Genomics

Book Title: The Eighth Day of Creation: Makers of the Revolution in Biology

Author: Horace Freeland Judson

Selection Statement:

This book presents an account of the revolution that occurred in molecular biology in the second half of the twentieth century. The contents of the book is based on interviews with more than one-hundred scientists working to understand the molecular details of biological processes. Through several riveting chapters (the books runs more than 680 pages) we get to know the personalities and the contexts behind the revolutionary ideas at the time. I read this book when I was contemplating the direction of my future career—whether to pursue medical residency or continue doing science in academia. I am happy that I decided to stay in science. I hope that students enjoy and get inspired by this book as well.


Year: 2018