Dear President Obama:
As you and the rest of our nation’s leadership grapple with the momentous questions of restoring our collective financial stability and eminence, I am hopeful that some lessons from my background as an immigrant—now naturalized citizen—might prove instructive. The undeniable fact that runs throughout all the lessons I have learned, which seems to be overlooked by many in this country, is that America is truly the land of opportunity.
I arrived here from Iran as a young man, with some experience as a sales representative at my family’s pharmaceutical company. My father strongly encouraged me to get a “real education” and out of respect for him, I traveled to this land of opportunity, and earned an advanced science degree at the University of San Francisco. Fortunately for me, a chemistry professor at USF assumed the role of my mentor and convinced me to undertake a career in chemical research and discovery. As the doors to my native country closed as a result of the 1979 revolution, I arrived at the University of California-Davis, where I earned a Ph.D. in synthetic organic chemistry. The caliber of students and professors I have worked very closely with at every step of the way proved the U.S. educational system is truly second to none.
To read the full, original article click on this link: A 10-Point Plan to Stimulate Biotech & the Economy as a Whole | Xconomy
