2010 Major: Biology
"The Biology Department at Duke University was so formative in my development as a curious scientist and physician. I particularly remember my experience in the Johnsen Lab, where I studied sea urchin vision, but most importantly developed a fundamental understanding of hypothesis-driven science, a deep appreciation of the labor of experiments, and a love of evolution and sensory biology. While I don't study marine biology or visual ecology in my current job, the lessons of evolutionary biology translate to my work in metastatic cancer, and I've never forgotten the frameworks that I learned from Dr. Johnsen and the classes in the Biology Department. Plus, I still remain completely enamored with octopus camouflage, whale songs, bioluminescence, and sensory biology of marine life in my spare time."
"While many students take biology as course requirements (for pre-medical or research prerequisites), I think the magic of the Biology department really allows for exploration and curiosity. I still remember the coursework I learned in the genetics classes and beyond, and opportunities offered in the Lemur Center and the Marine Lab made science feel like play. If I could, I would take all of my biology courses over again just for the fun and love of it."
