Professor Spotlight: Dr. James Forney

Dr. James Forney first became acquainted with Purdue University when he was offered a job as an assistant professor in the biochemistry department in 1988, after his Post Doctorate degree at the University of California Berkeley. He has remained with Purdue ever since. Since then, he has experienced phenomenal career advancement and success. He served as department head for seven years during which he was awarded ‘Outstanding Teacher’ three times, and an ‘Indiana University School of Medicine Trustee Award’ twice. He has also received the accolade of ‘Top Ten Teacher in the School of Science’. His most recent honor came in 2018 when he was entered into the ‘Book of Great Teachers, Purdue University’.

Since 2019, I have had the privilege of working in his research laboratory, a position that has allowed me to work with him in close proximity. Aside from my experience with him in a research lab, Dr. Forney is also currently teaching a medical biochemistry class I’m taking this semester. He has been the most patient, helpful, and encouraging Principal Investigator and professor I could ever ask for. It was a no-brainer that if I ever got the opportunity to interview a professor, it would be him. On Friday, March 12th, I got that opportunity, and I was elated to get to know him a little better and share his amazing influence in Purdue with the rest of you.

Q; What led you to the decision of working with ciliates in your research?

A: When I went to graduate school, I didn’t plan on working with protozoa. My plan was to work in developmental biology with drosophila, sea urchins, etc. But when I got there, I talked to a faculty member who was doing interesting work with paramecium. I found it intriguing. At that time I thought I’d work on that in graduate school and then figure out what I really wanted to do after grad school. Then, it was time to find a postdoctoral position. I was looking at my options and one of the people I was interested in was in UC Berkeley, working with tetrahymena. And she was willing to consider me for a postdoc. That’s where I ended up going and that led me to do more work with ciliates. Usually, when you’re about to get a job, you talk about and write grants on work you did in your postdoc. So it wasn’t planned but it happened that way and I just stuck with it.

Q: Anything not listed in your CV that you’d like to share? What are some of your hobbies outside of work?

A: I enjoy exercise. I remember I used to play hockey with a small group of people in my neighborhood. In terms of things not on my CV, I was very lucky to grow up on a field station on a lake. It was quite an unusual place to live. I didn’t have any neighbors close by, but I had the freedom of the outdoors to be able to run around and do whatever I wanted to do. I enjoyed that. I also like to cook and try different things. Thai food is his go-to.

Q: What is the most important thing in your life and why?

A: I would say respecting others and their contributions and talents. We are all a little different, but I believe everyone has strengths. Part of life is figuring out what those strengths are.

Q: What is your fondest memory?

A: This probably sounds a bit cliche, but I would say the birth of my daughter. I also appreciate times where my extended family would come together for gatherings or vacations. I have very fond memories of international family travel. A lot of it is connected with my daughter. She did a study abroad in Kenya, and we got to visit her host family there. That was an interesting experience for us. I also recall trips to Thailand, Japan, and Italy.

Q: Your undergrad, Ph.D., and PostDoc all took place in the 80s. How would you say education has evolved since then, being that you’re involved in academia and have first-hand experience?

A: Back then, almost every course was a lecture. You sat down, took notes, and did assignments at home. There was very little active learning in the classroom and personally, I’d say I learn better when I am actively being asked questions because I get to realize when I don’t understand things. So I am glad that has changed a lot, especially in the last ten years. I see that there is more value placed on interactions and participation in the classroom.

Q: If you had to ask one person in the entire world, living or dead, a question that they absolutely had to tell you the truth, what would be the question and why that person?

A: Oh! What could I ask Elon Musk? What would be interesting? Hmm... I would say “At some point, did you think Tesla was going to succeed? Did you ever doubt whether Tesla will be successful if you had to tell the truth?”

Q: Oh, okay. So you are into cars?

A: Not really. But I find the whole Tesla thing intriguing because of how it just ‘took-off’ in a way that was hard to understand how it was so attractive to so many people. But yes, I find the whole Tesla-car business to be very interesting. *laughs*

If I had to be honest, I was very nervous about this interview. The thought of interviewing a professor that I hold in high esteem terrified me in ways I can barely explain. It was hard to know how he would react, whether or not I’d ask the right questions, how open he would be with me, and so on. I could tell he was a bit skeptical at first, too. He started off being very quiet, picking his words carefully.

But as time went on, I noticed that he started to loosen up. He laughed more freely and spoke more audibly. And for the first time ever, it felt l like I was relating with him beyond topics that pertain to the classroom and research. And that he was also seeing me in a different light; beyond sitting at a desk in a classroom, and outside of a lab coat. He created a warm setting for me to carry out my interview, and I never felt like I was rushed. By far the best interview decision I could have made!