Experts
Shirley Tilghman
Molecular Biologist; Pres., Princeton University
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Equal Opportunity in Education
Tilghman sees equal opportunity in education as a major issue. There is clearly a major gap between rich and poor in the US, and universities that care about equal opportunity have to make a concerted effort to attract all kinds of students. She also attributes equal opportunity in America, this far, to the revolutionary idea of a free public education. Read More
January 13, 2008 | In Politics & Policy
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Tilghman says that if she has $100 billion to give away, she would first research what philanthropic investments have worked and go from there. Read More
January 13, 2008 | In Business & Economics
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As an immigrant, Tilghman is a supporter of welcoming students to the U.S. to study, and giving them the opportunity to stay and contribute to the well being and economy once they have graduated. She feels it is a human policy. Read More
January 13, 2008 | In Politics & Policy
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Re: What should be the major issues in the 2008 Presidential Elections?
Tilghman says she would like to see a candidate who is prepared to think about how we go about political discourse. One who recognizes or polarization of issues and our lack of interest in coming together around ideas. She wants to see someone who can get away from the shouting matches that our process has turned into. She also touches on the importance of changing the healthcare system. Read More
January 13, 2008
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Re: Is race still an issue today?
Tilghman sees race as a major social issue. She believes that we have never truly overcome the burden of slavery. She points out African Americans make up an underclass in America, one that she says is no longer heard. She says it affects everything in this country, and we have to begin to understand its impact. Read More
January 13, 2008 | In Politics & Policy
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Tilghman discusses our need for technology to give us alternatives to fossil fuels. This all boils down to climate change which will effect the world indefinitely. Read More
January 13, 2008 | In Environment
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Tilghman is worried about the fact that the way we define ourselves, in terms of race and ethnicity, is driving conflict in the world, especially terrorism. Read More
January 13, 2008 | In Identity
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Tilghman says that Africa is being completely left out of globalization plans and it is troubling to her how that will play out in the end. Read More
January 13, 2008 | In World
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What is the measure of a good life?
Tilghman feels the measure of a good life is what one can achieve with their God given talents, and how they have treated others. Read More
January 13, 2008 | In Love, Sex, & Happiness
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Tilghman is inspired by big ideas and the execution of them. She knows that big ideas come with obstacles, and likes to encounter people who see beyond the small details and deterrents. Read More
January 13, 2008 | In Inspiration & Wisdom
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Tilghman feels as though financing research in science, which used to be a social contract, is declining among universities. She links economic vitality with research and development, and sees the lack of financial assistance as detrimental. Read More
January 13, 2008 | In Science & Tech
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Tilghman is concerned that many students studying science are becoming discouraged over the amount of time and the competitive nature of becoming a scientist. She is also worried about the federal regulations that are making it difficult for international students to study science in America. Read More
January 13, 2008 | In Politics & Policy
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Tilghman is excited about the future of cancer research as we are close to being able to identify specific genes linked with specific types of cancer. This could lead to developing disease specific treatments as well as find ways to kill cancer cells without killing hundreds of other cells at the same time. Read More
January 13, 2008 | In Science & Tech
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Tilghman sees the next scientific frontier as focusing on cancer research and being able to find disease specific treatments. She talks about how we know have the knowledge to create a comprehensive list of the genes that control growth leading to cancer. Read More
January 13, 2008 | In Science & Tech
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Tilghman's father encouraged her to follow her dream and her interest in math and science. She also thinks it is of great importance for people and universities to encourage all girls to think about science and to recognize that it is a stereotypical attitude to see science as an inappropriate field for women. Read More
January 13, 2008 | In Science & Tech
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An Immigrant's Perspective on America
Tilghman's perspective on America involves the difference between group rights versus individual rights. She feels as though Canada allows group rights to trump individual rights, the opposite of America. Read More
January 13, 2008 | In Politics & Policy
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Tilghman says that the questions we should all be asking ourselves are, "How can we make a difference?...How can we lead lives that matter? How can we leave the world a better place?" Read More
January 13, 2008 | In Inspiration & Wisdom
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Tilghman says that collectively we should be talking, globally, to improve understanding, to cooperate and collaborate to find common ground. Individually we should be educating ourselves about the issues to being understanding about our differences and come together. Read More
January 13, 2008 | In Inspiration & Wisdom
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Tilghman considers herself an optimist, but does feel globally optimistic. She doesn't feel that the right people are stepping up to leadership, and can't see solutions to major issues because of this. Read More
January 13, 2008 | In Future
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Tilghman says that there are many forces that have shaped humanity such as evolution, natural selection, technology, the Internet, and our ability to create a more comfortable environment. She feels that free public education has shaped education in the US, and that legislation that may raise tuition could lessen the accessibility for many to have a higher education. Read More
January 13, 2008 | In Future
Shirley Tilghman is the nineteenth president of Princeton University, and is the first woman to hold the position. Tilghman served on the Princeton faculty for fifteen years before being named President. A native of Canada, Tilghman was educated at Queen's University and Temple University. She is a renowned molecular biologist, known particularly for her pioneering research in mammalian developmental genetics. She served as a member of the National Research Council's committee that set the blueprint for the U.S. effort in the Human Genome Project and was one of the founding members of the National Advisory Council of the Human Genome Project Initiative for the National Institutes of Health.In 2002, Tilghman was one of five winners of the L'Oréal-UNESCO Award for Women in Science. In the following year, she received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Society for Developmental Biology, and in 2007, she was awarded the Genetics Society of America Medal for outstanding contributions to her field. Tilghman is a member of the American Philosophical Society, the National Academy of Sciences, the Institute of Medicine, and the Royal Society of London. She chairs the Association of American Universities and serves as a trustee of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, and as a director of Google Inc.
