How A Nobody Became A Somebody

Howard E. Rubin, M.S., M.P.H., M.S., Ph.D. earned a B.S.in Biology from Guilford College in 3.5 years. He earned an M.S. in Medical Microbiology from Wake Forest University’s School of Medicine in 1.5 years. From the University of Michigan, In less than 4 years, he earned an M.P.H. in Water Quality, an M.S. in Environmental Health, and a Ph.D. in Public Health. He was an NIH Postdoctoral Fellow at Cornell University where he studied the biodegradation of man-made chemicals in nature. He was a research scientist at Rutgers University where he studied microbial ecology. He spent over 20 years in the environmental field as an Environmental Health Scientist and Environmental Toxicologist working for environmental consulting firms, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the New Jersey Department of Health. He has also taught Medical Microbiology, Environmental Health, Public Health, Molecular Biology, Toxicology, and Anatomy and Physiology as an adjunct professor at several Universities. This was accomplished despite: 1) Having a learning disability: 2) Repeating fourth grade; 3) Not being prepared for college-level work; 4) Being told by his high school guidance counselor that he did not have the necessary IQ to succeed in college; and 5) Having no support from friends or family and being continuously put down. He took this as a challenge causing him to set high goals for himself, which he exceeded despite these obstacles. This book not only recounts Dr. Rubin’s personal victories but also serves as a roadmap for readers seeking inspiration and guidance to conquer their own hurdles.