Student Research at Duke

I interviewed my PI, Dr. Nicole Calakos. Her story was very interesting because she did not grow up knowing she wanted to be where she is now. Throughout junior high and high school, she was always competitive in academics: linguistics, spelling bees, math team. Her high school bio teacher advised her to apply to a research program at a nearby university. She worked with recombinant DNA. This was her first research stint. During her undergraduate years, she did work-study in a molecular biology lab where she made DNA plasmids. After her undergraduate years, she went to Stanford and got her MD/PhD. When asked whether the fact that she would be in school for a long time was a deterrent, she answered that it was not because she enjoyed doing it. What’s interesting is that she was able to balance rigorous academics with other activities. During her undergraduate years, residency, and PhD years, she was a river kayak guide, participated in half iron man marathons, and took part in bicycle racing. When asked why she got involved in neurology, she said that she was interested in the nervous system and got her PhD in neuroscience. She decided to do a rotation in neurosurgery/psychiatry and enjoyed it. She likes that it is very analytical and based in problem solving. Now, she splits her time between research and clinical 90/10 respectively. She sees patients with epilepsy, migraines, Parkinson’s, etc.

It was great to hear my mentor’s story and everyone else’s mentors’ stories. It was interesting to see what they had in common and what was unconventional. They are all inspiring because it lets us know that there isn’t one “right” path to becoming a scientist.

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