Nathaniel Hernandez, B.S. 2020

Pharmacology PhD Candidate, Duke University – Durham, NC

2020 Major: Biology (Pharmacology concentration); minors in Chemistry and Psychology

How has being a Biology graduate from Duke helped shape you personally and/or professionally?

"I use the foundations of my Biology degree almost every day in my research in the Pharmacology PhD program. This includes courses that I took for the degree outside of the pharmacology concentration. I think my background in other general biology courses has definitely made me a stronger scientist capable of approaching problems from multiple levels (cell, tissue, organism, population) and with multiple perspectives (biochemically, evolutionarily)."

What advice would you give students in Duke's Biology programs? 

"Don't be afraid to say "yes" to opportunities and classes outside of your plan. I miss getting to take classes on any topic I wanted! You never know how saying "yes" might give you new ideas or change your plan altogether."

Nathaniel Hernandez