Mark Sleeper, Ph.D. 2017

2017 Ph.D., Chemistry

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

"I'd say professionally, being a Chemistry graduate from Duke helped to shape my interest in analytical instrumentation and automation. Comparatively speaking, when I jumped into my first industry position, I realized how impactful automation really was when comparing the volume of analyses I could do with high throughput equipment compared to what was available in the Chemistry department. I'd highly recommend the department look into establishing an automation hub for sample prep/analysis, if it hasn't done so already, to both to help expedite projects as well as give chemistry students a taste of what exists beyond their home labs."

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

"In terms of future career prospects, you don't have to limit yourself to looking only at "standard" bench scientist positions in industry. There are plenty of other positions that can utilize a chemistry Masters or Ph. D. In Pharma for example, you see many Masters and Ph.Ds scattered throughout the industry in positions such as regulatory affairs, lab automation, and Data Science. Sometimes you'll be surprised at some of the non-traditional positions companies are trying to fill so keep looking if you don't find a role that fits exactly what you want to do. Also don't feel like the first position you take locks you to that role for the rest of your career. Plenty of scientists end up changing their career paths and some companies actually encourage their employees to upskill in new areas of interest or even take secondments in other areas of interest that sometimes convert from temporary to permanent."