KQED's Forum Dr. Elias Zerhouni Reminds Us Why 'Disease Knows No Politics'
Aug 4, 2025
Dr. Elias Zerhouni, former NIH director and a professor at Johns Hopkins, shares his inspiring journey from war-torn Algeria to the heights of American medical research. He discusses the vital role of immigrants in innovation and the need to protect science from political influence. Zerhouni tackles the politicization of public health, especially during the pandemic, and calls for strategic reforms to safeguard health organizations like the NIH. His memoir highlights the ongoing challenges of funding and the importance of unbiased scientific advancement.
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Surviving War and Assassination Threats
- Elias Zerhouni's family faced assassination threats during Algeria's war for independence.
- They had to flee suddenly after being warned by a panicked doctor about the hit list.
Self-Taught During War
- Elias learned mathematics by self-study during war when schools were closed.
- His father taught through questions instead of answers, fostering deep understanding.
Falling in Love with Radiology
- Elias discovered his passion for radiology through the first-ever CAT scan he saw in 1973.
- This merged his interests in math, physics, and medical science, motivating him to stay in medicine.
