Dr. Eric Lander is a geneticist, mathematician, and scientific leader whose work has transformed our understanding of the human genome. A principal architect of the Human Genome Project, his contributions have reshaped the fields of genetics, medicine, and biotechnology, opening new frontiers in personalized medicine and gene-based therapies. Beyond his research, Lander has played a pivotal role in shaping national science policy, serving as the inaugural Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy under President Biden.

I photographed Lander on October 12, 2023, at the Broad Institute, the research powerhouse he helped build. He had a hand in designing the building itself, a space engineered to foster collaboration and accelerate discovery. As we walked through the sunlit atriums and shadowed corridors, our conversation ranged from the role of innovation in science to the ethical challenges of gene editing and the responsibilities that come with scientific breakthroughs. The interplay of light and shadow in the building mirrored the nature of scientific inquiry itself, the pursuit of knowledge illuminated by discovery, yet always accompanied by the unknown.

Lander is a scientist with a restless intellect, as comfortable discussing the mathematical underpinnings of biology as he is engaging with the political and ethical dimensions of scientific discovery. His ability to connect disparate fields, genomics, computation, policy, has made him one of the most influential figures in modern science.

In his presence, one senses both the weight of his achievements and the energy of someone who is not yet finished. Whether guiding the next generation of researchers, advising policymakers, or pushing the frontiers of human knowledge, Lander remains a driving force in the pursuit of discovery. His work is a reminder that science is not merely an intellectual exercise but a tool for understanding and reshaping the world around us.