Dr. Azra Raza, a dedicated reader of Urdu literature and the co-author of the book GHALIB: Epistemologies of Elegance, will speak on the transformative power of poetry. She will discuss the examples of American poet Emily Dickinson and Ghalib, the famous writer of Urdu and Persian poetry. Dr. Raza will illustrate the impact and allure of poetry and how reading, reciting, and memorizing grand verses helps people understand and own their more authentic selves. Join us for what promises to be a fascinating interdisciplinary discussion comparing the works of two of the world's most famous poets.

Speaker Biography

Dr. Azra Raza is the Chan Soon-Shiong Professor of Medicine and Director of the MDS Center at Columbia University in New York. Previously, she was the Chief of Hematology-Oncology and the Gladys Smith Martin Professor of Oncology at the University of Massachusetts. She is the author of The First Cell: And the Human Costs of Pursuing Cancer’s Last, published by Basic Books in October 2019. In addition to her scientific accomplishments, Dr. Raza is a dedicated reader of Urdu literature and the co-author of GHALIB: Epistemologies of Elegance. Dr. Raza believes that the best way to “tame the savageness of man and make gentle the life of this world” is through promoting and publicizing the achievements of humanity in science, art, and literature.