Reflections on the Epoch of the Class of ‘73
As the 50th anniversary of the Class of 1973 approached, Michael E. Fant, M.D., Ph.D., MIT SB ’73, began to contemplate the significance of his class through a historical lens. During this contemplative journey, it became clear that the 50-year span of ‘73’s educational and professional endeavors represented a unique era in MIT’s history, marked by three distinct features. First, MIT began to expand its intellectual talent pool by increasing diversity among its students, faculty, and administrators. Significant changes unfolded, especially in the realm of undergraduate demographics, as the fall of 1969 welcomed a cohort of 57 Black students into the freshman class, a stark contrast to the single to low double-digits of prior years.
The second noteworthy feature was that research at MIT continued to accelerate, amplified by an increasing embrace of interdisciplinary approaches to solving the big challenges of the day.
The third key feature distinguishing this era was the contribution of diverse talents and perspectives to MIT’s collective problem-solving efforts. The collection of unique backgrounds and viewpoints among researchers, including students, faculty, and administrators, was an important catalyst for innovative solutions to the challenges of the day.
With these insightful observations in mind, Dr. Fant sought and was granted the opportunity to stand as the keynote speaker at the Class of ‘73’s final dinner. His address, a mosaic of thought-provoking reflections, informative narratives, and inspiring anecdotes, was unforgettable, garnering accolades and culminating in a well-deserved standing ovation.
In revisiting the Class of 1973’s journey, Dr. Fant not only celebrated the achievements of the past, but also illuminated a path forward, reminding all that the intersection of diversity, interdisciplinary collaboration, and unique perspectives remains a powerful force in shaping the future of academia and beyond. (To listen to Dr. Fant’s inspiring words, view his speech.)
Dr. Fant received his Bachelor of Science degree in biology from MIT, with a special focus on nutritional biochemistry and metabolism. Fueled by the fascinating science, as well as his observations of the struggles of Black and underprivileged people worldwide, Dr. Fant became interested in the impact of malnutrition on human development.
Following graduation from MIT, Dr. Fant broke barriers as the first Black person in the M.D./Ph.D. program at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, where his pioneering research in placental biology earned him the distinction of being the first Black Ph.D. recipient from Vanderbilt’s biomedical science departments.
Returning to Boston in 1980, Dr. Fant’s postgraduate journey led to training at Harvard Medical School that included a pediatric residency at Boston Children’s Hospital and a fellowship in newborn medicine and neonatology in the joint program based at Boston Children’s Hospital, The Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Beth Israel Hospital. He was also appointed as a postdoctoral research fellow in the Department of Applied Biological Sciences (formerly Nutrition and Food Science) at MIT.
Dr. Fant entered academic medicine as a practicing neonatologist where his clinical expertise in fetal growth intertwined seamlessly with his groundbreaking placenta-focused basic research. His career trajectory included faculty appointments at Harvard Medical School and University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, followed by tenured positions at Washington University in St. Louis and the University of Texas McGovern Medical School in Houston. He was then recruited to the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine in 2009 to help develop their neonatal research program and direct its neonatal-perinatal fellowship program.
Throughout his research career, Dr. Fant’s laboratory made several important contributions to our understanding of the placenta’s unique role in supporting normal fetal development and provided significant insights and contributions to the emerging scientific literature that established insulin-like growth factors as major regulators of fetal growth and development. Additionally, they demonstrated that a recently identified X-linked gene, PLAC-1 (Placenta-specific 1), was essential for both normal brain and placental development, establishing a new regulatory paradigm for embryonic development.
Dr. Fant has also been a committed teacher, mentor, and leader. Under his leadership as the longest serving director of USF’s neonatal-perinatal program, the program grew in national recognition and competitiveness, while significantly increasing its diversity.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to academic pediatrics, Dr. Fant was elected to membership in the American Pediatric Society and the Society for Pediatric Research. Dr. Fant retired from formal academic duties in 2019, as professor emeritus at USF.
Dr. Fant has remained connected to MIT throughout his career. He served on the Alumni Association’s Education Council, was appointed to the MIT Corporation’s Visiting Committee for the Department of Applied Biological Sciences, and is a member of Black Alumni of MIT, serving as its President from 1981–1986.
Throughout his accomplished life and career, Dr. Michael Fant’s life’s purpose to improve the lives of Black and underprivileged communities worldwide, has remained unwavering. Dr. Fant’s journey is a testament to intellect, curiosity, resilience, and an unyielding commitment to creating a better world.
To learn more about Dr. Michael Fant, click here.
Q&A
What is your fondest memory of your time at MIT?
There wasn’t a specific event but rather the sense of family and mutual support shared by the black community at MIT during my undergraduate years. Although many of us had very distinct personalities we didn’t separate ourselves into different “tribes” based on personality, temperament, socioeconomic status or interests. We came together and remained unified as a family and that was a major source of support throughout my time there, academically and personally. It was a very special time in that regard.
Tell us about a challenge you faced at MIT.
I don’t remember a single moment but rather two aspects of my time there that presented some challenges:
1. Making the transition from the process of memorization and recitation of facts to understanding how to find and then use the required information or data-points to be able to solve larger problems was initially challenging and required a bit of “rewiring” in my approach to learning. In essence I began to understand the importance of being able to ask the correct questions as a prerequisite to finding the best solutions. That, to me, is the “MIT-way” of thinking and it served me well throughout my career, both in patient care as well as in my research.
2. Time management and prioritization skills were essential to making it through those four years. I was at MIT during a time of active social and political engagement. I considered those experiences to be just as important to my development as was my course work so learning how to pursue, navigate and balance my social development and political consciousness while keeping my academic focus was important and required a constant effort. While I certainly could have done some things better or differently, I think I was able to strike a good balance overall.
In your life, what are you most proud of?
My parents have always represented my “North Star” with respect to the principles, integrity and values they embodied. While I’ve had my share of falling short from time to time, I think that, on balance, I’ve lived a life that honors their lives and legacy. I think that captures so much in a nutshell but to speak to some specifics, three areas come to mind.
1. Clinical care: I’ve had the rare opportunity and privilege to help make a positive and long-lasting impact on the life course of critically ill babies I’ve cared for. In doing so I’ve also helped to support their families navigate the most difficult emotional journey imaginable. Helping them achieve the best outcome possible, both physically and emotionally, has been enormously gratifying and the privilege of a lifetime. When I look back over my career, I take comfort in knowing that I approached each baby and family with the priority, intellectual rigor and dignity they deserved and applied each lesson-learned and experience gained to the next child.
2. Research: Producing novel and innovative knowledge that expands our understanding of embryonic growth regulation has been immensely satisfying.
3. Finally, the mentorship of young trainees in clinical medicine and research has allowed me to have a meaningful influence on the next generation of physicians and scientists that will have an impact beyond my own personal reach.
In life, is there anything you wish you had done differently? If so, what is it?
Not much because, in one way or another, everything has led me to where I am now and I’m good with that. If anything, I’m sure there are times I could have been kinder or more understanding and patient, but that is an ongoing “work in progress”, with emphasis on the “progress”.
What are three keys to your success?
1. Setting goals that were consistent with who I am as a person and recognizing my own strengths and weaknesses.
2. Creating a plan (and alternate plans) to achieve those goals while being open to making adjustments along the way.
3. Following a mantra of “Keeping things simple and playing it straight.”
What are your future goals or aspirations, personal and professional?
1. Personally — simply enjoying time and experiences with friends and loved ones and making sure those close to me know how much they’re valued and loved.
2. Professionally — our current healthcare system is really a “non-system”. At its best it’s fragmented, dysfunctional and inaccessible to broad segments of society. I’d like to leverage the knowledge and experience I’ve acquired to help move the needle at the individual level, as well as the mindset of the younger generation of practicing clinicians, toward a more unified concept of health and wellness at the community level. The idea would be to influence the trajectory of health outcomes and wellness in communities disproportionately affected by neglect in a manner not well served by the healthcare system as it currently exists.
