Who is Vadim from Cancer Ward and what is their importance?

Vadim is a young scientist who has cancer in his leg. He is industrious and practical, and as his tumor grows and the pain continues, he is angry that he, of all people, should die. He knows his tumor is incurable, and sets a goal to finish his project by the time he dies, thinking his contribution to science is far more important than anything the other men in the ward could provide. He reads constantly, makes notes, and only participates in discussions in the ward that relate to something he is vitally interested in.