“Ideas like to find other ideas and debate.” An Illuminating Dialogue with Fabio Piano on Genomics, Ethics, and the Future

Last week, our DP2 students had the privilege of meeting Professor Fabio Piano, Vice Chancellor of NYU Abu Dhabi and founder and Director of the Center for Genomics at NYU New York. During the meeting, Piano shared valuable insights into his career journey and his vision for the future of science.

“How did you realize you wanted to pursue an academic career in STEM research?”—this was the question from a student that kicked off a journey through the researcher’s memories and experiences.

Fabio recounted how it all began with his childhood dream of becoming a marine biologist, driven by a deep passion for the sea and its mysteries. But life, as often happens, had a different path in store for him, steering his scientific curiosity toward the fascinating world of genomics.

But what exactly is genomics, and what role does it play in modern science? 
Fabio describes it as the science that creates and studies the systems of life itself. This branch of molecular biology, which focuses on studying the genome of living organisms, has not only revolutionized our understanding of life but also transformed the very way biological research is conducted.
“I feel incredibly fortunate,” Professor Piano confesses, “to have witnessed and been a part of this epochal transformation.”

As he is keen to point out, in a world that changes at a dizzying pace, scientific research, particularly in STEM fields, becomes increasingly crucial to facing the challenges of the future. And even though we may not be able to solve all of the world’s problems today, we have the privilege of actively contributing to future change, pursuing a greater good beyond ourselves.

The wisdom expressed in these words is also grounded in Piano’s vivid memory of one of his professors, demonstrating the altruistic nature of scientific research. 
Sharing the episode with the students, he recounts:”The first time I went to discuss my potential research topic with the professor, I met someone who had just returned to the university after a break due to a cancer diagnosis. I sat with him as he spoke about the research project in a way that went far beyond his own life. He was already 70 years old, and from his words, it was clear that he wouldn’t be able to see the results of his studies. In that moment, I thought to myself: ‘That’s so beautiful.’ The fact that you don’t even care about your own life as much as you care about solving this problem, even if you won’t be there to see the results, seemed pretty special to me.”

It is precisely this selfless dedication that makes ethical leadership a fundamental aspect when talking about the future. At NYU Abu Dhabi, as Piano emphasizes, the debate on ethical leadership is particularly lively and central to student education. “We need to develop the muscles necessary to maintain that ethical capacity,” he asserts with conviction, “which allows us to look beyond differences and use our knowledge for the common good.”

In an era characterized by rapid and often disorienting changes, this vision takes on an even deeper significance. The speed at which the world is transforming can seem overwhelming, but it also presents unprecedented opportunities for those equipped to understand and guide it. Piano emphasizes that the privilege of participating in this transformation also carries a great responsibility: to use the foundations of our knowledge for beneficial purposes, even when the results may not be immediately visible.

“We must develop the ability to maintain ethical integrity, which allows us to see beyond differences and use our knowledge for the common good, with the aim of empowering the world rather than destroying it.”

His vision reminds us that true science is not confined to laboratories or university classrooms but extends into the very fabric of society. It is a powerful tool for building a more just, sustainable, and conscious future, where differences are not obstacles to overcome but resources to value.

In conclusion, the meeting with Professor Fabio Piano not only offered students valuable insights into a scientific career but also outlined a broader perspective on the role of science in contemporary society. A perspective that combines technical excellence, ethical responsibility, and social vision; key elements for tackling the complex challenges the future holds for us.