WHY DID YOU WRITE Inside the hot zone?
After 27 years in the military, as I looked back on the dangerous, dramatic, and exciting experiences I dealt with as a leader in biological weapon defense I realized I had a unique story to tell. Many of my experiences were more bizarre, ironic, and suspenseful than any fiction could invent. My hope is that others, especially in earlier stages of their careers might be inspired to become involved in science or infectious disease work. Even the non-scientists will enjoy this edge-of-your seat real-life medical thriller.
WHEN DID YOU START WRITING?
In grade school and high school, I struggled with writing and I had more interest in science than the humanities. In college, I did everything I could to avoid classes that required papers, because if I had to write a 10-page paper, I was lucky if I could come up with even seven pages.
My writing struggles changed while taking a seminar my senior year in college entitled “Medical Choices, Medical Chances,” with Dr. Harold Burstajn, a professor at Harvard Medical School. He assigned us creative topics to write, but based on scientific scenarios. I had a blast, and he encouraged me to keep writing. This experience showed me that when I chose the subject, I actually enjoyed writing.
What is your background?
I am an infectious disease and public health physician. I attended the Lawrenceville School in central New Jersey for high school. I went to Harvard College, New Jersey Medical School (now Rutgers, Newark), and Harvard School of Public Health. I entered the Army, because I received an Army scholarship to pay for medical school. During my internal medicine residency training in Hawaii, I became interested in infectious diseases and tropical medicine, so I jumped at the opportunity to work at USAMRIID, and learn about biological warfare defense. That move shaped my future career and challenged me with the crises I describe in "Inside the Hot Zone."