Is the key to eternal life hidden in our DNA?

It’s your classic biotech romance: A duo of enthusiastic Harvard students uncover a groundbreaking scientific innovation in anti-aging, decide to leave school to chase their ambitions, and enjoy a swift ascent to stardom before … well, we’ll keep the ending a secret. In “Notes on Infinity,” Austin Taylor ’21 illustrates her command of science and passion for literature. During her tenure at the College, she double-majored in English and chemistry, a choice that has greatly aided her in crafting her inaugural novel. The Gazette interviewed her to discuss how her Harvard experiences shaped her writing and what’s next on her agenda. This conversation has been shortened for brevity and clarity.

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In the narrative, Harvard students Zoe and Jack uncover a novel method to unlock the potential of anti-aging. You reference numerous studies and principles of chemistry. Is the science sound? Is the secret to everlasting life embedded in our DNA?

My primary caveat is that although I studied chemistry, my focus was physical chemistry, not biochemistry. Nonetheless, it was crucial for me to establish the scientific backdrop accurately. I aimed for the novel to be entirely believable, so all the groundwork leading to the actual endeavors of the two protagonists is authentic, and I strove to convey it correctly. Hence, is it conceivable that a discovery akin to theirs could eventually occur? Theoretically, I believe it can. Has a similar finding ever been achieved? No.

David Sinclair is conducting interesting research in this field. The core breakthrough they focus on involves the Yamanaka factors, which enable us to rejuvenate aged cells. So, if we were to decipher how to rejuvenate many cells in our body simultaneously, one could assume it would lead to an anti-aging effect. However, that’s where reality edges into fiction.

You’ve mentioned that a central theme you wished to investigate with this novel was empathy. Why is that significant?

A major inspiration for the book was the plethora of startup scandals circulating in the media. As I followed those narratives, I was captivated by the starkness of the dramatic, six-word headlines. It’s incredibly easy to forget that those captions represent real individuals who had extensive lives prior to a series of choices that culminated in those headlines. I consider that quite detrimental; it’s vital to avoid reducing people to mere headlines. Humanizing others is essential, and for both writers and readers, generating empathy is perhaps the primary objective of fiction.

“When you pour vast amounts of money into the hands of individuals with bright ideas and encourage them to ‘accelerate and disrupt,’ the incentive structure created does not always lead to sound, reliable science.”

In what ways did your personal experiences influence the characters in this novel?

One of the principal characters, Zoe, is a young woman pursuing a career in STEM. I studied chemistry myself, so I too was a young woman in STEM. Much of the tension she encounters stems from feelings of tokenism or being viewed mainly through her gender. Throughout the narrative, Zoe grapples with her desire to be a scientist while feeling highlighted as the woman scientist—especially when she establishes a biotech startup. While being recognized as a woman founder can be positive, it sometimes feels isolating and frustrating.

I didn’t drop out and create a billion-dollar enterprise, but I’ve sometimes pondered whether I was receiving opportunities in the sciences due to the quality of my efforts and intriguing research, or simply because I was a woman and a minority within the field. Many individuals from various minority backgrounds experience this challenging dynamic, leading to significant tension and insecurity.

You also delve into a recurring motif in biotech startup culture, where rapid success can often be followed by collapse. What were you aiming to highlight here?

Two significant scandals that unfolded just before and during the writing of this novel were the rise and eventual fall of Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes and the downfall of FTX, the cryptocurrency exchange established by Sam Bankman-Fried. Placing individuals in high-pressure, high-stakes situations often alters their behavior compared to how they might act otherwise. For my two protagonists, those contexts begin with Harvard College—both extremely high-pressure and high-stakes—and transition into the venture-capital-driven world of biotech. When you invest enormous sums into creative minds and urge them to “accelerate and disrupt,” the resulting incentives do not always foster quality, reliable science.

The combination of chemistry and English makes for a compelling duo. How did focusing on both influence your career aspirations?

As an undergraduate, I was enthusiastic about science, yet my English classes filled me with joy too. I recall during my sophomore year, while contemplating declaring my joint concentration, I nervously floated the idea to my chemistry adviser, anticipating he’d dismiss it as foolish. Instead, he was quite encouraging. I walked out of that discussion exhilarated that it was a feasible option. I relished my time pursuing both fields, and the fusion turned out to be ideal for the novel, right? I utilized my scientific comprehension during my research and drew significantly from my experiences in the lab as a chemistry student, along with the writing and reading skills I honed as an English concentrator.

Were there any professors particularly instrumental in your journey?

My advisors from the Chemistry and English faculties, Greg Tucci and Daniel Donaghue, were immensely supportive of my dual focus. I also took two courses in the English department—contemporary fiction and a creative writing course with Jill Abramson—which were pivotal for my development as a writer. Jill provided me with invaluable feedback and encouragement; it marked the first instance I seriously entertained the notion of pursuing writing as a career. Additionally, my Principal Investigator, Cynthia Friend, was an excellent mentor and an outstanding scientist.

Moreover, the faculty, staff, and colleagues surrounding me at Harvard were exceptionally brilliant and accomplished. Initially intimidating and challenging, especially in the first years, being in that stimulating environment significantly improved my abilities as a thinker, writer, problem-solver, friend, and individual. I’m profoundly appreciative to all those who constituted the community during my time there.

What are your future plans?

I’ll be enrolling in law school at Stanford University this autumn. I’m keen on exploring the intersection of emerging science, technology, and legal frameworks. While I was penning my first novel, developments like Chat GPT arose, aligning my professional and legal interests within the publishing realm. I’m eager to engage in AI governance, particularly concerning art and media.

I have no intentions of halting my writing endeavors, aiming to pursue a dual path as an attorney or legal scholar alongside a career as a novelist. Currently, I’m working on my second novel and hope to continue writing as long as there’s interest in my work.