Columbia Cniversity - UN
inthe Citpof Hew Dork

[NEW York 27, 8. ¥.]

DEPARTMENT OF ZOOLOGY

DEC 1 1 1945

5

4

December 8, 1945

kaon

Dr. Malph G. Meader . .
gd. G. Uhilds memorial

Fund ror «edical nKesearch

$55 Cecar street

New haven, 11, Conn.

Dear Dr. meader,

ZT am writing in support of the fellowship application
ot iar. Joshua Lederberg. i have Kuown him siuce he wes an
undergruauave in Volumoia voliege aa nave seen nim aevelop
persoualiy througa nis expes:ience with tne vl2 Naval unit
Doth at she College and in secdicel Sehool.

; While at Columbia he made a remarkable impression upon
his teachers, both in the Sciences ana in the Humanities.
Before he graduated he nad completed, with distinction, a
number of graduate courses and in my opinion was much better
than most of our graduate students in Zoology.

At Medical School his improvement has continued.
Possessed of a tremendous energy, he has not only done sood
york in nis courses but has found time during tie past two
years to engage in some reseurch during the evening and on
weexends. ‘his summer he began some part time «work with me
on biochemical mutants of the mold, Neurosvors.

The progress of the work during this short time has
been remarkable. He has been able to demonstrate that in
some cases the adaptations which the mold undergoes are due
to genic bacK-mutations. Some of these are especially
interesting genetically because they are not at the original
locus. in addition he has revealed a complicated interactim
petween mutant ana wild type nuclei which is of the greatest
interest. «At least one paper on this subjecs gnould be
published early 1n 1946. I am quite sure taoat no present
graduate student in our department would have achieved so
muca in so little tine.
The reason for this achievement must be attributed to
a large number of qualities which Lederberg posseses. Among
them are immense energy, a very fine imagination, acute judge-
ment in the design of exoeriments and close acquaintance with
the literature. I have tried, and think I am succeeding, to
develop a proper attitude of self criticism in Lederberg. This
may be lis greatest weakness, although, not surprising in one so
young.

- the possibility that Lederberg may work with Professor
4, L. Tatumat Yale during his vacation from Medical School this
spring and sumser is very attractive in many ways. In the first
place,to engage in such an association will certainly accelerate
his own development. In addition,I have every confidence that
iis record will be one of accomplishment.

Upon rereading what I have wittenI fear that it may
sound like an overstatement. It siupiy is note Lederberg is,
in my opinion a very gifted young man with unusual achievement
and prumise. “he Child's Fund would make no mistake in granting .
him a fellowship.

 

Tod, > Zoology

hase seceeved

Sincerely yours,

assistant
FJR:SR

 
  

 

  
 

 
  
 

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