Taylor Aiken, B.S. 2012

Surgery Resident, University of Wisconsin – Madison, WI

2012 Major: Chemistry and Biology

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

"Majoring in chemistry at Duke was excellent preparation for a career in medical research. I am training to be a surgeon-scientist at the University of Wisconsin. My research interest is in pre-clinical drug development, specifically neoadjuvant immunotherapy. At Duke, I learned to approach research problems in a rigorous manner and how to communicate my findings to others. This knowledge has supported me on many research projects since graduation and I am very thankful to the excellent education I received."

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

"A chemistry degree prepares you for multiple different career paths. Most importantly, it prepares you to think through complex scientific problems and communicate your findings to others. The pursuit will constantly challenge you, but the end result is an excellent education and numerous career opportunities."

Taylor Aiken