After graduating from Christian Central Academy in 1992, Dr. Craig Horbinski embarked on an impressive journey in the medical field. He completed a Biology degree at Canisius University, followed by a seven-year combined M.D./Ph.D. program at the University at Buffalo. His graduate research focused on developmental neuroscience, requiring countless hours at the microscope studying neuronal growth. This experience fostered a love of microscopy, leading him to the University of Pittsburgh for a residency in Anatomic Pathology and a fellowship in Neuropathology. During his training, Dr. Horbinski became fascinated with tumors of the central nervous system, deciding to specialize in this area. He served as junior faculty at the University of Kentucky for six years before moving to Northwestern University in 2015. Today, he is a full tenured Professor and the Medical Director of Neuropathology at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Additionally, he holds several leadership roles, including Director of the Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center Pathology Core Facility, Director of the Nervous System Tumor Bank, and Scientific Director for the American Brain Tumor Association.
Reflecting on his time at CCA, Dr. Horbinski recalls a memorable moment from Chemistry class: "I remember being in Chemistry class as a junior and accidentally sticking the wrong pipet into the wrong flask of stock solution. The clear solution in that flask instantly turned magenta, which was most definitely NOT supposed to happen. I'd obviously contaminated the stock solution with a pipet that contained drops of a different solution, causing a substantial acid-base chemical reaction. Since everyone was supposed to use that stock solution flask for their experiments, I'd ruined it for the whole class. Wish I could say that was the last experiment I ever wrecked, but my career is littered with them. Such is the nature of science." Dr. Horbinski emphasizes the critical role that CCA played in developing his love for science during those formative years. He fondly remembers Lois Frazita, his first and third grade teacher, who recognized his academic potential and encouraged him to stretch himself as far as he could go. "Science is an indispensable tool for understanding how the world works, but it cannot tell you how to properly conduct yourself in it. It can tell you how to build a nuclear bomb or create a lethal super virus, but not whether you should," Dr. Horbinski reflects. He cites 2 Corinthians 4:18: "For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal," highlighting the importance of looking beyond the tangible to find true guidance in life. Dr. Horbinski's journey from CCA to his current role at Northwestern Medicine Neurosciences is a testament to his dedication and hard work. His story serves as an inspiration to current students and the entire CCA community.