Brian O’Dowd was born in Dublin. He lives in Toronto. O’Dowd is a Professor at the University of Toronto. His novel ‘A Wicklow Girl’, was published in 2017. Available on Amazon etc. Publisher: Tellwell, Canada. In 2019 he won the prestigious Prix Galien 2019 Canadian Science Award, as reported in the Irish Times.
Old Ringsend to Ivy League ©
Brian O’Dowd
My journey to the Ivy league University, little money, no connections, arrived free of debt. No fairy God-mother neither. Only reason I’d bother folk with this screed ‘twas successful. Not usual turn of events for a Dublin man, seeing now I’m a geyser some may be interested in this path. Ready or not! Probably smarter than you think, Irish schools with Clergy founding are world’s best, giving us that advantage. I discovered! Nobody asked for this maybe it’s old hat with costs or might help. No need for me showing off or blowing steam, may assist STEM students navigate. Not snookered into large University fees abroad, those I avoided, ended as a Professor at a world’s top university. Describing that road map before to ‘shuffle off this mortal coil’. Never attended an Irish university (although I’m not recommending that choice). Lot is said by talking heads in North America concerned with perceived declining value of a Degree.
I’ve a different tale.
Best Things
Somewhat reluctant to depart Dublin. What a city! Grand public sea-water baths at Blackrock and Dun Leary, glorious summer months so much hanging about with diving and tanning! Abundant, essential, reliable free public conveniences as required courtesy of Victorians, on long walks back from downtown pints to Rathgar. Watch the steps, often located under ground! Sat top 14 bus ‘through streets wide and narrow’, viewing crowds churn on Grafton street, looking for familiar faces. Watching Hollywood films ‘Planet of the Apes’ private box at ornate Capital cinema with the girl friend. That building our city treasure! Chair lift to Eagle nest up Bray head, then renting a paddle-boat for the half hour. Always Bray fun times! Tram up Howth head otherwise tough hike, train travel third class from Dartry to Bray. Visiting my old ancient school building in Ringsend. Wished they’d stack the Pillar bricks back together, so charge double the tanner! Good deal like four pints for ten bob in Donnybrook pub with college mates.
Best city!
(once)
Dublin, setting me free
At 23 seen as best career option to depart Ireland, competitive small island, squeezed us scrambling for scraps or chasing rainbows. Feeling leprechauns sequestered any gold bits into their elusive pots, behind big gates and railings. Golden Ireland’s age started ~1950, European war over, roots of prosperity sprouting in suburbs where I grew up. As a teenager mid-sixties returning from summer in the Courtown caravan. Da driving the station wagon towards Dundrum coming from Stepaside, passing modern bungalows. Imagining young couples on the vanguard, polished gramophone playing LPs, board games with neighbours drinking Harvey Wallbanger cocktails. Having thriving jobs, driving European cars. Planning trips, Italy or Spain, not like old fogeys in Rathgar seemed every second house with pensioners. Troubles in the sixties witnessed on UTV and BBC NI. No gold-star at school, muddled mind barely middle of the pack. Potent impetus trying to keep up, neighbours, mothers, aunts going on about wunder-bar scholarships kids. Parents proud having ones to go on about. Three Inter honor subjects my limit, achieved at De La Salle college. Cannot praise De La Salle enough, privilege to be there. Primary and secondary schooling. Say again Brothers, Priests, Nuns, with lay teachers grateful for my education. Spent a year in the Gaeltach so still okay with some bits. Summer at 16 heard Ringsend Tech had chemistry courses! Radical decision shocked even me in September rode my bike (like a robot) to that school by the Liffey. Even got back in time for Ma’s lunch. Left behind classmates of ten years and the few friends, somehow confident I’d a plan. There we did ‘O’ levels. Likely was scared of troubling Leaving Cert subjects, maths my kryptonite.
Something I was born without,
but compass in my head
learned to steer a by pass.
Statistics too were dreadful,
but useful alternative.
Tough days!
Ringsend in 1967 ‘unfashionable’ old redbrick building, classrooms with hot pot stoves, toasted sliced bread on top. That building from 1892 now demolished. Recall having interesting Darwin/evolution discussions with our inspiring English teacher. Missed rugby but Ringsend had metal workshops, let loose with lathes, hammering copper sheets into ashtrays, nameplates and copper bracelets! Hands on, aprons and safety glasses. Beats buried under the scrum. Starting school with new classmates north and south Dublin all with Damascus tales. With tide out scramble over the river wall, hunting bank edges for discarded treasure. Rescued a transistor radio, installed batteries still not a peep, likely as it had been sunk in the river.
Many bright spark acquaintances from all about with plans for legacy careers, accountants, teachers, doctors, civil servants, bankers, architects, family business, even a farm. Computer companies working with large Main Frame yokes. My apprenticeship was retarded, technology for how eventually I’d make a living not yet invented. I ploughed on.
Watch! Listen!
Wait the while!
Wander round,
don’t jump the gun.
Not yet!
There’ll be time enough,
to succeed (with luck).
When timing is right.
At Kevin street Technical College busy with ‘A’ levels, then London University external B.Sc. Passed all chemistry courses many part-time. ‘Morrison and Boyd, Organic Chemistry’ constant companion. Recall our excellent teacher Brian O’Keffee with sincere appreciation, he’d introduced the quantum world, tragically passed away as a young man.
With those so choosey Irish girls I was an odd ball.
‘Sure you’d be mad daft to leave, with all my friends? No way, so crazy!’
When I left just me alone.
Kept afloat with Ferry boat pints.
Proving essential.
With turmoil’s in calm Irish seas.
Their opinion my advantage, otherwise no traipsing odyssey live and work in five countries. Astonished by many Kevin street lads, barely twenties having pregnant wives. Listening to unborn babies heartbeat, dreams of heading to housing estates popping up all about. For them fellas my choice to leave was haphazard, aimless, mostly unnecessary. Few months in a Ballyfermot factory, answered ‘technician wanted’ advert at St. Lukes Hospital in Rathgar. Near home.
Switcheroo with lad from there,
decks shuffled, not only that once.
As if by chances?
Worked with Dr. Boggust, Trinity College professor, Northern English gentleman. Developed biochemistry skills, isolating compounds from tissue using chromatography. To that I’d added a two dimensional step showing additional compounds. End of the day have his colleagues gather to appreciate results. After ~18 months sat in his office earnestly told me.
‘O’Dowd you can do it. Succeed. Be a Scientist.’
Reserved man sealed deal for my departure. Over the years on request he dispatched letters of recommendation. Future employers told of outstanding comments from Dr. William Boggust! Major difference for my career.
England, on an evening tide.
At home we’d a small tent stored in a canvas bag. In 1974 carried my kit and caboodle in that sack. Few quid saved up, late spring 1974 sailed for Blighty, Holyhead ferry reading ‘New Scientist’ magazine adverts for Techs. Did not budget return fare. Pub acquaintance provided an address to crash in London, turned out ‘they’d no room’. So problem on that street, dog-tired off the train/boat. No fixed abode, that monkey wrench all ready! Got wind of a doss house on the wall of a phone box, bare bone but no charge. Dormitory top bunk, stretch the budget. Goodhearted hippies running the joint, saved us from park benches. My razor got pinched. Still cash flow problems accumulated due to cafs, beans on toast, spuds, strip of rasher or sausage. Pot of tea. Mostly filled up on porridge.
Stay restless and loose,
find emerging technology,
gain talent in that trade,
Johnny on that spot.
First responder
world’s an oyster,
then locating pearls.
———————————–
Temp job experience,
Supermarket boss tried to dispatch me
home early, easier for his coin.
Not so, says I, on the clock till five!
He backed off, how it was.
Scraping for pennies.
Scored a warehouse job driving the fork lift. Hearing Three Degrees sing ‘When will I see you again’. Shaving at public jacks, Finsbury Park corner, shilling for brand new blade. Off the street, getting on my feet. Kipped in Kilburn bedsits, grand landladies, dinner with mashed spuds, marg, veg, bit of meat. Coins for meter for the bath. Irish country lads in construction laughed when I’d ordered ravioli in a High road caf. Talking with old Erin bachelor lads, life on the lump drifting through bedsits of Camden and Kilburn, one old fella had reverence for Father Pio. Appreciated those insights. Blokes from Scotland, grand few pints together watching World cup football. Good times! Nervous wait for exam results, ready to send one slim resume to Drug companies. Daring first to relate heresy? Many Irish bosses encountered in London, male/female in work place tough as nails. No gaelic-camaraderie for my Jackeen mug. Long story, enough said. After work that summer swim in chilly Hampstead Heath pool often when raining. I’d swam with jellyfish in waves off Connemara beaches. Shivering my timbers wrapped in carrageen seaweed.
Glasgow lad over extended needing halving rent, large Camden town basement room, I moved rapid. Handsome fellow, bevy of girl friends, seeing how he was in need of a few quid. Do the maths, one room two beds. ‘Oddball’ memo had crossed the sea, hard to shake. Nervous on Seven Sisters road, picked up University envelope, previous transient address.
Decent results!
Profound moment.
Only Heaven sent!
Weeks after to Welwyn Garden City, shaved and launderette detergent fresh. Pharma appointment, late with train delay. Stoney broke, now decent crust even needed a bank book! Amazed how chemists analyzed the process, up to me to follow their detailed chemistry with test tubes. Each week, day off, enrolled in ‘Applied Biology’ degree at NELP polytech in the East end. Commonwealth students all about. Isolating DNA from onion in the lab, white and stringy exactly like human! Stone’s throw difference with some erstwhile pub acquaintances. Seeing tears when stood up numerous New Years, when Adam had no Eve. Busy then traveling to Welwyn from Camden, training job with further education, so feeling good. Plan working.
Dear Britain.
Thanks.
Get me sorted.
Forever grateful.
Brian
Year after moved to Pharma company in Dartford town, favourite pub Malt and Shovel. Rich times there indeed, pints with such work mates. Acquired years old Hillman Imp, now a rolling stone driving to George Best his Fulham years at Craven Cottage, Leeds with Brian Clough when Leeds played QPR, his difficult 44 days in 1974. Dublin friends coming over, Piccadilly Circus pints on Valentines, Leicester Square dance met a girl, later my wife, Chinese from Trinidad and Tobago. Janice, nurse trained in Scotland, well that changed everything. Eventually rented a terrace house (like Coronation street), well set up. Work folk organized hikes in Kent countryside, I’d peered through railings at Winston’s Chartwell house. So awesome! Parents visit with bus tours to Stonehenge, Canterbury Cathedral, Thames Tower boat trip.
Then phone call, Dad remarked I’d an English accent!
What?
Trinidad and Tobago (T and T)
‘Robinson Crusoe was cast off on ‘island of despair’, near Trinidad.
For 28 years.’
Influenced by ‘Typically Tropical’ band inspiring wonder ‘Barbados’song! Sent us off from Dartford town, bags packed. Ready or not! Night before lying awake overwhelmed, no ferry boat ride! Shipped few boxed possessions to parents in Dublin. Exhilarated on the Jumbo, tiny wine bottles celebrate such adventure! Even with two summers in Wildwood New Jersey, arriving in Port of Spain knew one different place. Land of Prime minister Eric Williams, ‘Father of the Nation’, Janelle Penny Commissiong, Miss Universe 1977, Hasely Crawford 1976, Olympic Gold medal in the sprint, writer V.S. Naipaul (Literature Nobel, 2001). Janice’s father drove south down Solomon Hochoy Highway flanked by fields of sugar cane, Calypso Rose, Kitchener and Sparrow on the radio. Magnificent sky Orion belt, prominent overhead display. Feeling vibes I’m liking this place! Met her folks, siblings, many relatives. Mosquito coils burn at night, startled by flying cockroaches, disturbing iguanas, sting in tail scorpions. Oxford street cream suit two weeks later married in San Fernando church. Left side packed my family side empty, all that mad rush! Congratulations on telegrams from Dublin. Did not take long discovering red rum, murder for me! Sticking with Trini beer (with puncheon dispensations). Celtic bodies not designed gallivanting in tropical sun. Beach seeking Palm tree shade, not a week collecting a burnt tan!
Lived in Curepe outside Port of Spain, weekend to Kay Donna for ‘Drive In’ movies. Sunday morning not so distant neighbour broadcast with speakers MLK ‘had a dream’ speech. After a few months I’d recite it all by heart. On cue (expected for my life!) startup Pharma company, Arima town, island center, busy searching for ‘me’. Work permit secured. State of art operation, machinery, tablet machines, laboratory. Got hired, working with Trini manager, sent me to USA for instrument training. Got machines turning, coated tablets and capsules filled. Dedicated staff giving everything, I developed chemistry assays. Trinis most friendly, especially Carnival time starting with Lent. Calypso on the radio, everyone with their top ten. Got so hooked now with valued LP collection.
Kilburn thanks, T and T was the life!
On this blue planet, none better than Trinidad,
enjoying wonderful Caribbean culture.
God made the green earth, gifted T and T
bird of paradise, humming bird, Queen angels.
Often thinking I’d stay forever, why not?
Two seasons, gorgeous, other few rainy bits.
Scarlet Ibis nesting in mangrove swamps,
they’ve good things going, wetland reserve,
while emigrating to no nowhere.
Red beaks laugh at swallows flying south,
back and forth matching idiot humans.
Atlantic rollers off magnificent Maracas beach,
no one there needs ‘winter’ knowledge.
Seaside hotel, Tobago by Store bay,
lazy Tiki bar days, sorrel rum shots,
Port of Spain dancing in plush hotels.
Tobago more addictive than nicotine.
Weekend in next door Barbadoes,
walk Bridgetown streets as big shots.
Trini Carnival we dressed as sailors,
streets of POS, leather pouch of rum,
marching, celebrate being alive!
Savannah band competition, on stage!
Drove Mountains to Mount St. Benedict monastery, walk through trees, contemplations, ‘people of all faiths and of no faith are welcome’.
Look things changed since Daniel Defoe wrote his book in 1719.
70 types of mango, favourite the Julie.
World’s best avocado, they call ‘Zaboca’.
Cornmeal pastille, plantain, Armadillo stew, red fish,
‘Buss up shot bake’, road side Savannah coconut juice,
no worries drink mauby beneath a calabash tree.
Glass bottom boat cruise to Buccoo reef Tobago,
coral and tropical fish, don’t even get feet wet!
Fishing near South America, in small row boats.
Camped on deserted Blanchisseuse beach,
pitch dark, only with roasting embers,
katydids, cicadas mating calls, doing a din,
grunting, growling nightwalker kinkajous,
waves pounding, winds flapping the canvas.
Eat cascadura fish, not only those Fridays,
then must return to end of days in Trinidad.
Leatherback turtles head to Matura beach,
beating soft sand making a nest, lay eggs.
Came from miles away, so did I.
They return, I harbour regrets for leaving.
Not just another parting glass.
Watching boisterous liming parties setting off to tiny islands. Revelers living the life hollering filled with Joie de vivre. On the beach infectious Jamaica reggae, encroaching this Calypso island.
(Absent spoilsport patrols, favoured elsewhere. Dispensing fines for excessive good times)
Saturday morning with Janice on shift at the hospital, I’d drive cliff road to Maracas beach, stop for a beef roti, scoff the lot on the way. Within shade of palm trees, coconut water from a straw, BBC world service, rugby and football results! Rock and roll celebrities stroll so content not being bothered. Afternoon nine hole golf, Chaguaramas Golf Course built by U.S. army during World War II. Monkeys in trees howling at goofy golf swings. Nearby secluded Macqueripe, walk beneath that bamboo cathedral. Nowt to compare! Knew every road and town on T and T, four corners Chaguaramas beach with horizon hills of Venezuela, Guayaguayare, Cap de ville, drive to Toco in the east, familiar Atlantic blue waves. London town 4000 miles distant away, cold winter night on Kilburn High road, cafs with spaghetti bolognese.
Floating now in another world.
Loving this life!
Out of that blue, cabin fever hankering, things happening with biotechnologies coming fast. I was delayed, being out the loop. Gold rush was starting. Time to pounce, present not forever, time to move. We departed for Canada. Embraced winters of snow, ice and freezing rain. Ontario worth that sacrifice?
Who knows!
Toronto, Canada
Walking University Avenue in midst of 42 day postal strike that summer, 1981. Up and down that street flanked with numerous Research Hospitals, topped by U of T campus.
If ever feeling poorly best head to that place.
Out searching, stymied with my planned mailing sit home job search. Life now so difficult! Wandered (or guided) into Hospital for Sick Children (HSC), noticed as instructed on the notice board.
Graduate Student Required.
Hickory-dickory hustled to top floor, interviewed by Research Doc. Talked loads as if I knew what I was droning on about. Job done, FOB immigrant (fresh off the boat), now prestigious U of T grad student at HSC plus earning a stipend. Turns out I struck when the iron was hot, after all. DNA work in infancy, get going from bottom floor. Up side pretty much all to discover. Present grad student departing for MD training. I’d be studying Sandhoff and Tay-Sachs rare childhood disease, last in that relay needed to add few bricks. Stage fright ensued now and then, enrolled at a speaking course to struggle on. Five years later conquered all, emerged with M.Sc. and Ph.D by 1986, plus respectable publication pile. Wife and Aileen, our first born attended coffering in Simcoe convocation Hall.
On reflection all went by as a cool breeze, no need to stepaside.
Molecular Biologist emerged, rare species. Same life cycle as cicada, develop, mature slowly. Wait to be skilled, found my calling when technology advanced! Hard development stuff was finished. Celebrated with latest electric razor and Bob Marley LPs. Generously offered first author on a report locating gene causing Sandhoff disease, later co-author finding Tay-Sachs gene (revealed genes are 56% identical). Tay-Sachs originally recognized in 1881, amazing to be involved! Opportunity to present results at Salt Lake City, heard a presentation on receptor proteins. By the way rare to hear an Irish voice at International meetings, see an Irish name but hear ‘Australia’.
‘Student’ now long in the tooth, urgent needing to depart, FOB times suspended.
‘See youse later’.
USA
First Post-doc offer, top USA Ivy League University, starting date delayed, with bags packed, now two kids! Our son Paul. In the HSC library read an advert ‘post-doc for receptor proteins’. Lickety-split flying to Duke University, North Carolina. Impressed I was with my talk, pleasure to relate Toronto success! Privilege to spend ~two plus years with super competitive post docs, needs must to survive and thrive form strategic collaborations, that I was good at. At Duke obtained one of my life’s ultimate possession, Nature paper I co-authored with two Nobel winners. Nature vol. 333, p. 370, 1988.
So Yeah!
Research Triangle far from city hustle, Chapel Hill great town, kids at catholic school. Faculty club swimming pool, easy travel to outer bank islands. Two weeks prior to leaving baby Jennifer arrived, daughter from North Carolina! High time to get my show on the road!
Canada return
My lab opened for business, U of T Medical Science building, assembled a team from diverse Toronto population, experienced from Trinidad. Startled at age 37 behind a desk with my name on the lab door. Professor and Addiction Research Foundation Scientist. Beyond my dreams.
My Guardian Angel held my hand, and guided every step of the way.
Believe me.
The Irish Times, in 1990 published early lab success, ‘Nature journal’ Discovery of a dopamine receptor (D1). (Thanks, Dick Ahlstrom). Hope Dr. Boggust read that! Hindsight wishing I’d sent him copy of the paper. Next year again in ‘Nature journal’ another dopamine receptor discovery (named D5, non-identical twin of D1). Our gene prospecting business continued strong for 12 years, lots of new exciting proteins discovered. Another was APJ gene, (our kids initials), APJ (aka Apelin) receptor, now a superstar involved with how hearts beat. Currently 2500 Apelin papers published from all over.
Lives depend on APJ receptor functioning keep hearts ticking.
Medical advances in progress.
Ireland, England, Trinidad, Canada, USA.
Grateful!
To all.
‘Not born to bloom and blush unseen.’
Edit from Thomas Grey.
Epilogue
January 1999 Toronto Mayor called military to remove snow.
“I’m petrified by what could happen tomorrow,”
Toronto can’t cope!
Snowiest January,
44 cm so far.
Near 1.5 feet.
(by my math)
still got to work.
Scarlet Ibis way smarter.
———————–
Lakes multipurpose.
Kids skate in January,
June ready to swim!
Life in Ontario.
The Galway Review 