Over 60 Years of Experimental Hematology (without a License)

•In the 1970s we developed technologies to elucidate the regulation of translation of α- and β-globin mRNAs.•In parallel we determined the primary defect in beta thalassemia.•In the 1980s we developed technologies to clone and characterize the Epo receptor and the red cell membrane proteins GLUT1 and Band 3.•In the 2000s we developed other technologies to identify and elucidate the function of many microRNAs and long noncoding RNAs in red cell development.•We currently use single-cell transcriptomics to elucidate how BFU-E progenitors balance the need for more progenitors with the need for terminally differentiated erythroid cells.•We have identified drugs potentially useful for treating Epo-resistant anemias including Diamond Blackfan anemia.•Throughout I describe some of the lessons I learned in managing a large number of diverse fellows and projects.