Alumni
Profiles of Success
Gordon Dorn
Consultant
Dorn Microbiological Consultants, Inc.
Ph.D. Molecular Genetics 1961, Purdue
MS Molecular Genetics 1960, Purdue
BS Philosophy 1958, Purdue
"I obtained a very broad education at Purdue that provided me flexibility
in problem solving, people management and personal confidence," observes
Gordon Dorn. Indeed, there must have been something right about Purdue for
Gordon, because he chose to pursue his B.S., as well as his further degrees,
with Purdue. Gordon earned his B.S. in just three years, the first Purdue student
to graduate with a bachelor's degree in the Philosophy of Science. Three short
years later, he held an M.S. and a Ph.D.
Wishing to expand his credentials after graduation, Gordon applied for and received a National Science Foundation International Postdoctoral Fellowship. He worked in Glasgow, Scotland under Dr. Guido Pontecorvo, researching fungal genetics and enzymology. "Working under a renowned professor in Scotland was fantastic," he recalls. "I met with Russians, Israelis, Europeans, and Australians. It gave me an appreciation for world perspectives."
In 1964 Gordon returned to the U.S. to pursue a career in research and teaching, and he joined Albert Einstein College of Medicine as an Assistant Professor. In 1968 he relocated to Texas, where he signed on with Baylor University as an Associate Professor of Microbiology. In addition to his work at the University, Gordon served as Chairman of the Department of Microbiology at the Wadley Research Center in Dallas, Texas. There he was responsible for the direction and supervision of the microbiology research and graduate training program.
In 1969 he also took on the role of Director of Clinical Microbiology at Granville C. Morton Cancer and Research Hospital, where he conducted research and was responsible for the supervision of the clinical microbiology laboratory for the 110-bed, cancer-oriented hospital. Though he left Baylor University in 1970, Gordon remained at the hospital until 1991 and was active at the Wadley Research Center until 1993. His heavy workload included an appointment as an adjunct professor at North Texas State, where he served from 1974-1995.
Currently Gordon is semi-retired and self-employed in Eugene, Oregon. He is president of Dorn Microbiological Consultants, Inc, a company which licenses patented technology and provides consultation for major U.S. and Canadian medical device manufacturers in the field of medical microbiology and blood banking. Gordon became a consultant after successfully convincing several corporations to license his technologies. "These corporations requested that I serve on a retainer basis to help them develop my concepts," he remarks. His research has resulted in over 25 patents, including one for the only quantitative blood culture system for detecting septicemia. Recently he licensed a means to protect urine samples prior to processing by the laboratory.
As president of his company, Gordon's duties are widespread and include such tasks as preparing patent applications, providing client advice, reviewing clients' research and clinical protocols, and examining literature. In addition, he designs experiments and performs statistical analyses. "Eighteen years of research and clinical protocols are either stored in the office or our barn," Gordon proudly adds. "I have over 8,000 reprints on file that can be obtained quickly with a computer-driven search engine."
Gordon's advice to current biology students is to obtain a solid foundation in the sciences. "A degree in biology is not enough unless you have a very strong background in chemistry, physics, computer science, mathematics, statistics, and genetic engineering," he explains. "Postgraduate training is now an absolute requirement. Even with a PhD in microbiology, you can't work in a hospital laboratory unless you complete an approved internship." Gordon recommends that undergrads become involved in the American Society of Microbiology or the American Association for the Advancement of Science, which is the largest general science organization and publisher of the journal Science .
Gordon reminds students that Purdue has much to offer beyond the sciences. Exposure to the arts, philosophy, and theology during his college years has given him an appreciation for aspects of life outside the work environment. "My wife [Kathie] and I are active in the art center as volunteers and participants," he says. They also take their dogs--Thor, a 94-pound shepherd, and Demi, a sheltie--on weekly visits to hospitals and retirement centers. Thor is a certified CGC (Canine Good Citizen), Delta-trained therapy dog, and is in the process of receiving certification as a companion friend.
In addition, Gordon and Kathie operate a modest-sized ranch and spend much of their free time in the outdoors enjoying activities such as hiking, skiing, hunting, and traveling. "I guess my time spent at Purdue has left its mark--I initially enrolled as a forester," concludes Gordon. "Now I live with nature but remain a dedicated scientist."