Donald Kennedy’s career as biologist, educator and administrator reflects his belief that scientists and other academics should speak out on public policy issues and conskier devoting some time to public service. As a result, his views on science, education, federal regulation and related topics have received wide circulation, whether he was speaking as a White House consultant, U.S. Food and Drug Administration commissioner or in his current position as president of Stanford University.
Kennedy was born in New York City and educated at Harvard University receiving a Ph.D. in neurophysiology in 1956. After a stint as a biology teacher and researcher at Syracuse University he moved to Stanford as an assistant professor of biology in 1960, and live years later was named chairman of its Biological Sciences Department. His interest in policy issues relating to food, nutrition and life sciences led to his appointment as a consultant to the White...