Millennium Magazine_2ndEd

44 MILLENNIUM-SECOND EDITION D r. William James Ash has amassed over six decades of experience in the science and education fields. Dr. Ash grew up with parents who did not complete high school, but he exceeded their expectations by earning a Bachelor of Science, Master of Science and PhD from Cornell University. While serving as a captain in the United States Army, he thought about careers he could pursue, one of which involved developing the cure to cancer. Wanting to be involved with pathology, he subsequently began a program that led him into the field, where he dealt with lymphoid tumors in the liver. He was also passionate about general biological sciences so he could mold minds and enable students to learn about biology in depth. Dr. Ash served as a graduate research assistant at Cornell University while completing his master’s degree and quickly made headway in the field. In 1965 he began imparting his knowledge to undergraduate and graduate students as an assistant professor. He remained in academia, teaching at many institutions of higher learning, including St. Lawrence University, Kuwait University and Stony Brook University, where he earned the title of professor emeritus in 1991. In 1963, Dr. Ash was invited to East Germany as a visiting scholar. The Berlin Wall had just been erected before he arrived, and he got to witness firsthand how the government affected scientific advancements, sparking his interest in working internationally. Though much of his career has been gratifying, two of the most rewarding aspects of his work are teaching people and watching them develop, as many of his students have gone on to become important people in the world. Dr. Ash received a Travel Award from Cornell University and another from the National Science Foundation, which also awarded him several grants. He has contributed his expertise to professional articles and is affiliated with the American Dermatoglyphics Association, Cape Lookout Sail and Power Squadron, the Austrian Alpine Club, Sigma Xi and Beta Beta Beta. Dr. Ash is the author of several short stories, including “Total Eclipse of the Sun,” “Christmas,” and “Thanksgiving.” WILLIAM JAMES ASH, PHD GENETICIST, SCIENTIST New Bern, NC