Your Editorial Board: Dr. Neill Iscoe
CMAJ 1999;160:470
© 1999 Canadian Medical Association
Neill Iscoe, a 1975 McGill graduate, is a medical oncologist on the active staff at the Toronto-Sunnybrook Regional Cancer Centre and an assistant professor at the University of Toronto.
Who was your most influential teacher?
John Southen, who was my undergraduate molecular biology teacher at McGill. At the end of the course, the class collectively had an open-book multiple-choice exam. We couldn't reach consensus on at least 2 of the 9 questions over a 4-hour period. We reached consensus quickly on 2 questions, but to this day I am not sure if we ever reached consensus on any of the others. His course challenged us to use our minds and to think, more so than any other course to which I had been exposed. Moreover, his course demonstrated that thinking could be fun.
What aspect of your work gives you the most pleasure?
Realizing that for some people I have made a major, positive difference in their lives.
What research paper has had the most influence on your career?
During my molecular biology course in undergraduate school there were 2 papers — one by Chargaff demonstrating the molar equivalence of the adenine-thymine and guanine-cytosine pairs in DNA, and the Nobel Prize paper by Watson and Crick. The first was significant because it demonstrated that critical information can be found in strange places. The second paper elegantly showed that the most important thoughts can be expressed very simply.
What are your favourite pastimes?
Canoeing across a calm lake at dusk, listening to a loon.
What book did you last read?
Boom, Bust and Echo, by David Foot and Daniel Stoffman.
What illness do you fear most?
Slowly progressive dementia, where you initially know what will happen but at present can do nothing about it.
What complementary therapies have you tried?
I don't really use any, not even vitamin C for a cold.
What advice do you have for a young physician?
Make sure you do something you like, because it's tough out there.
What was your biggest mistake?
As others have already told you, there are too many to select a single one.
What was your biggest achievement?
Without hesitation, my family.
What make and year of car do you drive?
A Dodge Caravan, so we have a place to put the kids' hockey bags.
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