Just to let you know how long I have known Norman Saunders, I have attached a photo of what I looked liked when I met him as a PhD student at University College London in 1977. I had been hired by the director of the film Superman to produce special effects reminiscent of the surface of the Planet Krypton. The solution was Human pancreatic cancer cells in vitro using DIC optics so that the nuclei of the cells looked like craters on the planet Krypton.
This was just about the same time that Norman met Kate, a match that has flourished all these years both professionally and personally, and produced two wonderful children, Peter and Krystyna, who are no longer children! This was when Norman asked me to work with him on filming the choriod plexus cells he was studying. I was fascinated by the behavior of these amazing little cells.
Norman has been tirelessly investigating spinal cord injuries ever since. After Superman Chris Reeves broke his neck, Norman helped to commandeer his support for spinal cord injury research. Norman has been a world leader in developmental neuroscience and neurotrauma research. He has mentored a number of students who have gone on to create world-class careers in science.
Norman and I have had the pleasure to share two wonderful sports together, sailing and skiing. After receiving my degree in Developmental Biology, I moved back to Los Angeles to continue my academic career. Norman and Kate visited on many occasions, usually on their way to or from various international neuroscience meetings. And, like-wise, I had the great gratification of visiting Norman’s lab in both Tasmania and Melbourne on numerous occasions.
Looking back at this photo when Norman and I first met, it’s amazing what happens to a person after looking through microscopes for 40 years. The good news is, Norman and I are still around, enjoying each other’s friendship. Congratulations Norman on a life-time of great work spent furthering our knowledge of Neurobiology. It has always been both a pleasure and an honor to work with you. All the best, with aloha from your friend Gary.