The Fifth Student by Geoffrey M Cooper

Author:Geoffrey M Cooper [Cooper, Geoffrey M]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Maine Authors Publishing
Published: 2023-08-06T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 24

The chair of cell biology took me on the facilities tour, which went pretty much as I expected. We visited the laboratories of a half dozen faculty members, which were nicely designed and provided more than adequate research space. I also noted that they were well equipped and full of bustling students. All positive signs of an active research institute.

Unfortunately, a different picture emerged when we got to the core facilities. On the plus side, there was an extensive array of core laboratories that provided a wide range of specialized instrumentation. The molecular genetics core was equipped for next-generation sequencing; the proteomics core featured several mass spectrometers; and the imaging core offered a variety of different techniques of microscopy, including super-resolution. All the appropriate instruments were available but, as I now anticipated, several were no longer current models and needed to be updated. Something that would require a major outlay of institutional capital.

By the time we finished inspecting the imaging core, it was nearly four-thirty and Floyd Taylor ushered me off to the final event of the day.

“There’ll be twenty or so faculty members at the reception,” he explained on our way. “The search committee members, department chairs, and a few faculty members in other leadership positions. And as I said, some of the trustees will be there. I’ll be sure to introduce you to the one I mentioned earlier.”

The reception was held in an elegant mahogany-paneled room that had been set up for the occasion with a bar and two tables of hors d’oeuvres in the back. Not unexpectedly, people were crowded around the food and drinks. Taylor led me to the bar, and I managed to get a glass of white wine before I was surrounded. I’d have preferred scotch, but this was part of my working interview. Not an opportunity to relax and enjoy myself.

I moved a little to the side so that I wasn’t blocking access to the refreshments and one faculty member after another came up to say hello. It was a simple meet and greet, with most of them just introducing themselves, and some commenting on one of the issues that had come up with the search committee. Several people seemed favorably inclined toward the notion of developing an undergraduate research program. And a few mentioned the need for more institutional funding.

The crowd had thinned out and I was thinking of grabbing something to eat before starting the long drive home when Taylor came over with an elegantly dressed man whom he introduced as Mr. Peter Buchanan. I didn’t need to be told that Buchanan was one of the trustees. His Armani silk suit, gold Rolex, and Zegna tie didn’t fit a faculty member’s attire.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Dr. Parker.” Buchanan shook my hand with a firm grip. “Floyd here tells me that you’ve made quite the impression today. Do you mind if I pull you aside for a few words?”

Leaving Taylor behind, Buchanan guided me to a quiet corner. “I understand you have some ambitious proposals in mind.

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