While walking down the path to class at Drew University, senior Joseph Lee, may not look any different than the average student. However, after sitting down to chat with him, one quickly realizes that he most definitely stands out among the rest.
Joe, who began researching and experimenting with cells under the direction of Drew professor, Dr. Bimal Dasmahapatra two years ago is incredibly close to finding the cure for cancer. Yep, that’s right. I said the cure for cancer. The one that’s been sought after by scientists, physicians, chemists, and patients alike for eternity. Students like Joe come to mind when people ask me what’s unique about the Drew population. I always find myself quick to respond that “amazing things happen there.” Joe’s research is one of those many amazing things I’m referencing.
In late September, I literally could not believe my eyes when I opened the e-mail from the Acorn’s (Drew’s campus publication that I am the Features Editor for) ed in chief. It read, “Kim, get in touch with Joseph Lee. He’s a senior who has been conducting research. He’s like a step or something away from finding the cure for cancer.” I couldn’t believe it. This assignment came to me after I had already conducted interviews with world icons that had come to speak at Drew such as Robin Wright, Tom Brokaw, Dr. Robert Gates, and Kofi Annan. I handled those with ease. But- after setting up my interview with Joe, I was more nervous than I had ever been.
“This guys is potentially going to solve one of the world’s largest quests,” I thought to myself. “What do I say to him? Am I going to sound stupid? How do I make myself sound like I know exactly what I’m talking about? I don’t know science, I need to read about this before I go meet with him.” My mind ran a mile a minute until I was sitting there, in front of Joseph Lee. I promise, I really felt like I was sitting there with President Obama. My hands were clammy and I was afraid to speak. I was so afraid of sounding like an idiot as I sat there with the smartest man in the world.
From the moment I shook Joe’s hand, I was relieved. In front of me stood a medium height, dark haired college senior with glasses. He was smiling a big smile and told me he was thrilled to meet me. He heard I was a good writer and was really honored the Acorn wanted to feature him. I took a deep breath.
“OMG. He thinks I’m a good writer,” I thought to myself. Maybe he won’t think I’m so dumb after all.” With this in mind, I began the interview.
While Joe did all he could to provide me with the information I needed, he was modest. Shy, and quiet. He let me do the talking, and down played his accomplishments.
According to Joe, his interest in science and medicine began in middle school. “I always wanted to be a doctor, but I definitely went through that whole art phase thing,” he said. “I pursued math and science, but also art for a long time. But- when it came time for high school, I applied to Bergen Academy’s Academy of the Sciences. After my acceptance, there was really no turning back,” he continued.
“After being a student at the Academy of the Sciences, I couldn’t change my mind. I had no other education. Anything else I knew fell back to the middle school level. I only continued learning science. It might have been a rushed, childish decision to attend an academy of science, but i had to stick it out,” he said.
Parallel to this notion, come time for college, Joe applied to Drew’s 7 year medical program. Which, much to my disbelief, he was turned away from. Boy, that admission committee must be kicking themselves in the behind now! HA!
Although he was not accepted into the 7 year program, Joe still decided on Drew to pursue his passion for the sciences and health. At Drew, Joe furthered his understanding of exactly what type of science he wanted to pursue. “My classes at Drew made me further aware of my passion for anything to do with the human body and health,” he said. “I really loved the class called Anatomy of the Human Body,” as well as Immunology,” Joe smiled.
“I was a little nerd about Immunology after the course ended. Anytime I would cut my finger, I would sit there staring at the blood and think wow, I wonder how many proteins are in here and stuff like that,” Joe explained with a modest chuckle.
“That’s how you know you really love something,” I smiled back at him. “When your brain just starts thinking in that way. That’s how I knew I really wanted to be a journalist,” I said. “When I started noticing myself writing headlines and ledes in my head as I listened to people talk. That’s when I knew,” I said.
In addition to feeling nerdy about Immunology after the course ended, Joe explained that he also fell immediately in love with the idea of being a surgeon. After sitting in on a Drew biology class where students were preforming surgery on rats, Joe jumped on the chance to do it himself.
“From the moment I started the surgery, I loved it so much. It was just sooooo cool,” he said. “I think that’s when I really figured out where I want to go from here. I really want to be a surgeon,” Joe said.
While Joe found his passion for surgery in a Drew classroom, he explained that he will eventually apply to med school elsewhere. “I’m going to take a year off post grad, then hopefully get in to med school and become a surgeon. I’m really crazy about the idea,” he said.
As Joe and I continued to talk, I was very happy to hear he has decided to pursue a career as a surgeon, as he openly told me his prior life mission was to become a “professional thief.”
Acknowledging my blank stare in response to this statement, Joe assured me he was serious. “I had a problem when I was younger. I stole a lot. And the funny thing about it is, I’m a devout christian,” he said as he reached for his “I Love Jesus” lanyard to show me. “I learned a lot through my time of rebellion and I would never think of doing it again.”
A long way from his desire to be a professional criminal, Joe is now on an incredibly straight path. While taking steps towards becoming a practicing medical professional, Lee continues to care for his “babies,” as he lovingly called the cancer cells he is researching and experimenting with in the Acorn’s September article.
Caring for his “babies” includes feeding and closely watching the growth and development of these cancer cells. In the Acorn article, Joe paradoxically stated that, “he eventually wants these ‘babies’ to die,” because that means he is that much closer to finding the cure.
In addition to caring for the “babies,” Lee preforms what is scientifically called a, “Western Blot,” which essentially tests to see if the cells turn “good again.” In short, he means observing the cells to see if the cells start growing, or kill themselves. If the cells kill themselves, Joe succeeds. If they start regrowing, it’s time to try again.
Overall, Joe explained that the goal of his research and experiments is to “find the small molecule that makes the cells ‘go good’ without killing the non-cancerous healthy cells.”
So, while Joe used to spend his weekends “checking stores for cameras” and “what he could rip off next,” the reformed Joe spends his weekends caring for his “babies” and researching his eyeballs out. All because he fell in love with science.
Plethora of People 