November 17, 1971
Dear Dr. Thomas:
Mike Bishop has informed me of your kind interest in me as a prospective member of your department. I am, needless to say, surprised and flattered by this attention, and I would certainly be willing to discuss the issue further. I am enclosing the customary lists of past posts and publications, but you may wish to gather more useful information from referees. I would suggest, in addition to Mike, Dr. Ira Poston (Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Cancer Institute), Dr. Robert Perlman (Department of Physiology, Harvard Medical School), or Dr. Paul Marks (Dean, Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons, 630 West 168th Street, New York City).
I think it is only fair to add that I - like any other candidate - will be guided in part by factors other than the excellence of your department: by a continuing interest in some clinical areas (I now attend medical genetics rounds, teach introductory clinical medicine to second year students, and work in a free clinic one night each week); by the fruitful collaboration I presently enjoy with Mike, Leon Levintow and Warren Levinson; and by growing affection for San Francisco, for our recently - acquired Victorian house, and for trout fishing in the Sierras.
As Mike may have told you, I have applied for an NIH Cancer Development Award which I had planned to use, if granted, in this department. But these plans are, of course, subject to change.
Again, thank you for considering me a candidate for a Harvard position. I look forward to hearing more from you on the subject.
Yours truly,
Harold E. Varmus, M.D.
Department of Microbiology