Dr Garret Fitzgerald

Dr. Garret Fitzgerald is an Irish physician whose work has been integral to the development of using low-dose aspirin for cardioprotection.

His team’s work has also been fundamental to explaining the cardiovascular hazards from NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin).

He directs the Institute for Translational Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, which he describes as “the first Institute devoted to translational science in the world, that's been copied many times.”

He also has an advisory role for Calico laboratories, part of Alphabet. He says of his roles: “I have the benefits of doing small shopkeeper science in academia, as well as group science in a somewhat unorthodox company interested in the biology of ageing.”

Recognition at home

Asked about receiving the Presidential Distinguished Services Award, Fitzgerald says, “You know, it means a lot that there was recognition at home for what we've done scientifically. I've always been a great promoter of science in Ireland. When I lived there, I tried to support the few of us trying to do biomedical science at that point in time."

"And perhaps by leaving, that gave me an opportunity to contribute more substantially than if I'd stayed, because then I was the guy who didn't have a dog in the race. So to get a signal of recognition like this from my home country means a lot to me, for sure.”

Contributions to biomedical science

Fitzgerald adds that he has been grateful to have often been able to work as a scientific consultant in Ireland, providing advice and suggestions that have helped in the development of biomedical science.

Speaking of other ways he has been able to contribute back to Ireland from abroad Fitzgerald adds: “I've been fortunate to have many Irish people over the years work in my lab, and I've vicariously enjoyed their success both back in Ireland and also elsewhere within the US. It has been a great privilege for me to have that connection.”

Differing experiences

When Fitzgerald was studying and working in Ireland, he says there were many thoughtful, intelligent people but that a lack of resources in the country at the time meant it was difficult to pursue a career in science and remain in Ireland.

However, Fitzgerald sees this as having a positive result, and describes the advantages of going abroad to pursue a career.

“I think one of the great advantages of our scattered resources in the past was people did all have to go abroad. And we had to get different experiences and trade in different environments. I think it's really important that we continue to be able to send people abroad to get experience in the knowledge that some will never come back, but those people may be helpful in other ways, and then, some will come back. I think that's an extremely important thing.”