Multidisciplinarity

When I first applied for a job in a lab, I was 16 years old. My science and technology high school had a requirement for a senior research project. I interviewed at the National Institutes of Health, and I'll never forget it. The lab chief looked at my resume and berated me for listing my musical achievements, which were at the bottom under "other interests." He said that if I continued in both music and science, I would never be very good at either one of them.

I don't remember that guy's name, or I would have sent him a copy of my doctoral diploma, a recording of my songs, and a few of my published poems. Having other interests has augmented my science, as well as helped me cope with the stress of being in an extremely competitive field. Many of my colleagues studied music, and some...