Lacking the opportunity to annoy Norman on a daily basis since I left his lab as a bright-eyed and bushy-tailed postdoc, I’ll take this opportunity to comment on not only his commitment to the blood-brain barrier field, but also his commitment to keeping all his trainees honest, eager, and above all else, away from Evan’s Blue! Norman (obviously along with Kate – the unbeatable duo) was my mentor during graduate school in Australia. Of course, we have often argued about when I actually started my time in the lab, as I one day arrived on his door step as an undergraduate stating that I was going to do some research in his lab. As a 20-something year old student, I almost had no idea what I was getting myself into. And as a tenured professor, I’m sure Norman didn’t either – at the time I thought I spent so much time travelling overseas so I could have exposure to the greater scientific communities of Europe and the US, but I often wonder if it was just so he could be rid of me for a few months!
To be fair though, I doubt I would have made it through the maze that is academic politics, or a life as a junior research scientist if Norman had not been available as my scientific guide. This older, gentle, English human anger pot urged me to set aside my ideas of grandeur and world domination and settle in to just ‘do good science’. Norman taught me many things. He introduced me to the complexities of the collective barriers of the brain, and of the difficulties of working in the developing nervous system. He always urged me to probe the science behind the publication – teaching me the all-important ‘question everything’ concept. I fondly remember one time during my Honors Thesis year I was tasked with presenting a paper to my class that was important in my field. As each student stood, presented, discussed, and returned to their seats, I grew ever worried. Such amazing works, such beautiful science, such important contributions for these students to build on. Finally, it was my turn. Carefully trained by Norman, I presented a landmark paper on the early stages of the blood-brain barrier, published in a top journal. I presented the first figure, and then listed all the reasons the figure presented not facts, but instead artifacts. I then proceeded to point out why this paper had slowed down progress in the field for decades. I can still picture the dents left in the lecture room floor by the jaws of my examiners. I knew I had found the right mentor in Norman.
Never afraid to speak out for what he knew to be right, I relished in the (as I realize now) protection afforded by working with Norman to do the same. I always listened, I often heeded, but I’m sure he’ll agree I was sometimes slow to act or too eager to act to be effective. However, I think I have come through it all a better scientist, and I am sure there are countless others who have enjoyed and appreciated his mentorship the world over.
Together with Kate, and a number of long-standing national and international collaborators Norman has continued to be a dominant force in not only the field of brain barriers, but also spinal cord injury. Always applying new techniques to answer important questions, returning to old techniques when they are the most appropriate (my own students still find mouth pipetting of CSF samples an outrageous idea!). In a world with what appears ever decreasing funding and respect for science, education and support like Norman has always provided the way forward to ensure the next generation of scientists can be held in the highest esteem. Norman will always be a key pillar in his fields, and I am sure he will continue to inspire others as he has inspired me into the exciting life of academic science. I am deeply grateful for his contributions and support, and I promise to never use Evan’s Blue in my own lab.