Chemistry major

Duke University, Fellow: Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology

Highlight quote

"The most important thing I gained at Hendrix was a great mentor ... In addition, I learned what was needed to navigate the academic world of research, grant writing, gaining funding, writing papers, and making presentations."

Current projects

I recently completed residency in radiology at Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School and am now starting my fellowship training in diagnostic and interventional neuroradiology. This is a three-year program in which the first year focuses on diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the brain, spine, and peripheral neurological system utilizing radiographs, CT, MRI, ultrasound, angiography, and PET, among others. An additional focus will include minimally invasive treatments of back pain, nerve compression, and vertebral fractures. The second two years will focus primarily on angiographic interventional treatment for disorders of the brain and spine, including stroke, aneurysm, and vascular malformations.

My most current research involves a novel dynamic CT angiography technique for preoperative evaluation of complex skull base tumors. This manuscript for this project has most recently been accepted for publication in the Journal of Neurosurgery. Other research projects include 3D printing of skull base tumors for preoperative analysis and planning.

Undergraduate Research

I worked with Dr. Tom Goodwin on his research with African elephant urinary pheromones, conducting laboratory experiments with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry in order to isolate putative sex pheromones from female African elephant urine. Later, I learned and implemented methods for conducting behavioral bioassays with captive male African elephants at Riddle's Elephant Sanctuary.

How Hendrix prepared me for success

The most important thing I gained from my research experience at Hendrix was a great mentor and friend in Dr. Goodwin. In addition, I learned what was needed to navigate the academic world of research, grant writing, gaining funding, writing papers, and making presentations. This has proven invaluable to me since Hendrix. I've so far been able to design and execute two research protocols of my own, one at the medical student level and another at the resident level.

Future plans

I want to do a good job for people who need my help the most. I would love to be able to help usher interventional stroke therapy into widespread use and make it available not only for those who live near large metropolitan centers but also for those who happen to reside even in rural populations. Hendrix is the kind of place that can give a person a foundational skill set and world awareness that enables him or her to really strive to make a difference in the field of their choosing. Sometime, I hope to live up to that.    

My advice

Explore your surroundings. Study broadly and take advantage of the opportunity you have now. Also, follow your heart and work at something about which you can be passionate. When you do that, your work can't help but be fruitful.