Veda N. Giri, MD (Medical Oncology)
Education:
BS, Pennsylvania State University
MD, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University
What does your promotion mean to you?
This is truly an honor and a culmination of decades of work dedicated to advance the field of cancer genetics. To have this appointment at an esteemed place such as Yale is even more meaningful, which has global reach and impact. I think the work I have done in collaboration with so many colleagues nationally and globally regarding cancer genetics, cancer disparities, and access to genetics care is critical at this time in oncology. Having the appointment based on this work really feels fulfilling and inspiring to continue this important work.
What was the first thing you did when you found out you were promoted to professor?
I contacted my husband, young adult kids, and parents who all congratulated me. Having that level of appreciation from my family, especially my children, was so moving.
What are you proud of most thus far in your career?
I have been blessed to work with so many expert colleagues – this really is a team approach to advance cancer care! I am honored to have mentored and continue to mentor the next generation of physicians and physician-scientists. Ultimately, I am deeply grateful to all of my patients who inspire my work. When I hear of even one patient who has been touched by my work, that is all I need to feel that it is all worth it.
What is your favorite part of academia?
I truly enjoy the opportunities to work with colleagues across disciplines, geographic regions, and expertise. I appreciate the ability to have creative freedom to explore new lines of research based on patient needs, which have led to some of the most impactful contributions. I also enjoy teaching and mentorship to build a legacy to carry forward for generations.
Tell us a fun fact about you—something people may find surprising.
My high school mascot was the bulldog – and now my career mascot is also the bulldog! I have come full circle here at Yale.
Richard Kibbey, MD, PhD (Endocrinology and Metabolism)
Education:
BA, BS, Trinity University
MD, PhD, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School
What does your promotion mean to you?
It is helpful to contextualize the promotion by placing it into a sequence of ~100-month blocks from (1) grade school through middle school, (2) high school and college, (3) MD-PhD education, (4) internship, residency, and fellowship training into K08 award, (5) first R01 grant through associate professorship, and (6) tenure until professorship. It is with a gentle sigh of relief, as I approach my 660th month on this planet, that I have at long last completed my "official" training. It is with much excitement, humility, and sentimentality that I look forward to the centennial blocks to follow — this time without training wheels or institutionalized goals. It is in these segments where I hope finally to perform what I have been educated to do. I am told it is during these times when wisdom starts to engraft. Fingers crossed.
What was the first thing you did when you found out you were promoted to professor?
It still hasn’t quite hit that I have been promoted. Seriously. I am actually a bit afraid to do or say anything for fear that it is just a dream and will disappear when I awake. While I had a perfect evening getting takeout with my lovely wife, Ania (I got to choose the pizza toppings!), I won’t let loose until after learning the secret handshake and receiving the key to the clubhouse. That said, we did pop some bubbly with our neighbor Katie, who, coincidentally, was promoted to professor the same day — big news for our block!
What are you proud of most thus far in your career?
An awkward and stubborn persistence. Somewhere along the way, my great discovery was an internal doggedness that was supported by a loving family and absolutely amazing team. This doggedness was woven into a network of remarkable colleague-friends and sustained by sage mentors, serene gurus, and sentient leaders. Everything else follows.
What is your favorite part of academia?
The science, equations, and relationships.
Tell us a fun fact about you—something people may find surprising.
Both my parents have full heads of hair.
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