Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • NPR

    A Global Health Evangelist Is Shocked To Hear He's A 'Genius'

    Gregg Gonsalves dropped out of college, drifted around, became a health-care activist and epidemiology professor — and is now the recipient of a 'genius grant.'
    by Jason Beaubien Oct 04, 2018 5 minutes
    Gregg Gonsalves, a global health advocate, is one of this year's MacArthur "genius grant" winners.

    Gregg Gonsalves took a wild, meandering path to the Ivory Tower. His route to becoming a professor at Yale started in street protests and spanned the globe.

    On Thursday he was honored with a prestigious MacArthur Fellowship.

    Gonsalves is one of this year's MacArthur "geniuses." The award from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation comes with a $625,000 no-strings-attached stipend.

    Gonsalves says he was shocked to learn that he's getting this award. "I had no idea that anybody was scrutinizing what I've been up to lately," the 54-year-old says with a laugh.

    This national honor for creativity may redeem him with his parents, who were disappointed when he dropped out of college in the mid-1980s and drifted around waiting tables.

    "That was about the time I was coming out of the closet and realizing I

    You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

    More from NPR

    NPR2 min readWorld
    A Baby Girl Born Orphaned And Premature After An Israeli Airstrike In Gaza Has Died
    The newborn died after five days in an incubator. Her family was killed in an air strike. UNICEF says 13,000 children have been killed in Gaza since Oct. 7, with thousands more orphaned and wounded.
    NPR5 min read
    DRC Is Seeing Its Worst Mpox Outbreak — But Has No Vaccines Or Treatments Yet. Why?
    With nearly 5,000 cases reported so far this year — and concerns about a new strain — the Democratic Republic of Congo is considering the declaration of a public health emergency.
    NPR4 min read
    Taylor Swift Fans Mean Business With Tortured Poets Soap, Eras Yarn, Kelce Cookies
    Entrepreneurial Swifties are selling crafty products inspired by Taylor Swift's music and style. Swift herself has been known to send notes and even homemade gifts to creative super-fans.

    Related Books & Audiobooks