Meister said Berg inspired him to change hisfield of graduate studies from physics to theinvestigation of how bacteria swim.
After earning his Ph.D. from Caltech, Meisterwent on to Stanford University, where he didpostdoctoral work on the retina and developed muchof the instrumentation that he applies to hisHarvard work today.
Meister left Stanford for Harvard in July of1991.
In addition to his research, Meister teachesMolecular and Cellular Biology (MCB) 138,"Function of Neural Systems" this semester andtaught MCB 117, "Experimental Neuroscience" lastfall.
Meister said he enjoys teaching, even thoughthe subjects he teaches are not based on his ownresearch.
He described it as a good way to "keep up withthe general field."
Meister said that MCB 117 is a "fun" coursebecause students are able to perform smalllaboratory experiments that take two to threeweeks.
Although the research is "not cutting edge,"Meister said it is "useful and entertaining" andthat students "get results [they] feel proud of."
Meister feels that research is a key priorityat Harvard. Consequently, he said there is achallenge for professors in the sciences tocombine a research program with interestingcourses to "keep students challenged."
Meister said he has benefited greatly from"mentorship from senior faculty [in hisdepartment]" and the wide range of resources atHarvard.
Ariel R. Frank contributed to the reportingof this story.