THE ROCKEFELLER UNIVERSITY

1230 YORK AVENUE -NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10021

THE PRESIDENT

 

July 10, 1978

Dr. Gobind Khorana

Departments of Chemistry and Biology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139

Dear Gobind:

Many people have urged on me the prime emphasis on chemical ap-
proaches to biological structure and function that should be nurtured
as a primary part of the Rockefeller University's research and recruit-
ment policy. I hardly need any persuasion about that/

At the present time the opportunities that the University has for
further recruitment, especially to a senior position, are quite limited;
and for that reason I am rather bashful about writing this letter. However,
there will be some retirements expected to open up some space and faculty
positions during the next two or three years:and it seemed to me it was
not too early to begin a dialog by which I could get the benefit of some
of your own advice about how to proceed. In addition, an exceptional
appointment is being urged upon me that would be of very high quality,
but would also strain the available resources to the very limits. Before
taking an irrevocable step in that direction for a quite senior person of
unquestionned reputation, I wanted to learn whether you might not have
some younger people ready to emerge who would be more likely to be thought
of es the Wally Gilberts or David Baltimores‘*of the future (even than those
very estimable people themselves).

My own inclinations are to gamble on two or three younger appointments
if they have enough autonomy and self confidence to begin from a smaller
platform than to start out with tenured committments at the very start.

So if you do have any longer range wisdom to offer:please share it
with me,and I hope this will be a continuing process at closer range.
If you have any more specific nominations,I can assure you that they would
get the most enthusiatic and supportive reception at the Rockefeller Univer-
sity as we try to sustain its vitality on a venerable tradition.

sincerely,

 
 
  

ua Lederberg
JL/als

boc - hate K.