Alumni
Profiles of Success
Dr. Steven Austad
Professor
University of Texas Medical School
Ph.D. ’81 Purdue University
Dr. Steven Austad, PhD, is currently a professor at a University of Texas Medical School where he studies the biology of aging. While doing field biology in Venezuela, he discovered that opossums aged quite fast. He became curious and remains curious about that.
Austad states that his Purdue experience was invaluable. It convinced him that he could explore any scientific discipline that interested him. He did not feel limited by what he had already done. He suggests that training lions taught him how to deal with administrators.
His advice to students is to take any opportunity to work and live in a foreign culture for a time. Pursue what fascinates you rather than what others may want you to do.