Oh Omnivore! the Path of an Eclectic Theoretical Biologist

Richard Gordon is a theoretical biologist who has led a multifaceted career, with research spanning various fields and being a professor in departments as varied as Radiology and Botany. His eclectic scientific pursuits and prolific writing have resulted in over 200 peer-reviewed publications, as well as many edited books and special issues.This is his personal memoir. It is based on a review of all his publications from Gordon’s early years to the present. He recounts the collaborations, most importantly including the development of the nonlinear Algebraic Reconstruction Technique for image reconstruction, his most cited work. The ART algorithm today forms the basis of technologies that have dramatically improved progress from both basic science and in medicine such as computed tomography to 3D imaging of the sun’s corona from satellites launched around the sun.The memoir offers a unique blend of scientific storytelling, personal reflection, and humanitarian endeavor, providing a fascinating glimpse into the life and work of a theoretical biologist with a remarkable range of interests and accomplishments. The overarching theme is how does one survive as a generalist in an academic world of specialists? The key seems to have been to have many collaborators, both in and outside the academic world, and diverse grant sources. The result has been an enjoyable and highly productive career, exploring many aspects of the world, from amusing games to profound scientific and philosophical questions, to potentially significant contributions to humanity. By following his interests, Gordon shows it is still possible to be a polymath in a fractionated world. Along the way, the author suggests many outstanding problems he’s encountered that readers may want to tackle themselves.