Harish Gopalakrishna, MHSc, Clinical Research Training Program

School of Medicine Graduating Class of 2025

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Hometown
Kerala, India

What inspired you to pursue this degree?
My decision to pursue a Master's in Health Sciences at Duke was inspired by previous hepatology fellows at the NIH, where I currently train. Many of them completed this very program and have since emerged as leaders and innovators in the field of hepatology. They consistently speak of how instrumental the program was in shaping their careers and enabling them to make a meaningful impact on patients’ lives. Their experiences strongly influenced my desire to follow a similar path and equip myself with the tools to drive progress in patient care and research.

Harish Gopalakrishn with Wife and daughter
Harish Gopalakrishna wife, Gayatri and daughter, Alayka.

Why did you choose Duke?
I chose Duke for its prestigious reputation and the opportunity to learn from renowned leaders in clinical research. It’s one of the few programs specifically designed to train physicians to become research leaders — perfectly aligning with my goal to advance patient-centered care in hepatology.

Do you have a favorite memory from your program?
Collaborating with peers from different specialties was a highlight — it sharpened my thinking and showed me the value of interdisciplinary teamwork in tackling real-world challenges.

How do you hope to make an impact with your career?
I hope to make a lasting impact in hepatology by contributing to innovative, patient-centered research and translating those findings into better clinical care. Inspired by mentors who trained at NIH and Duke and went on to lead in the field, I aim to follow a similar path — driving progress that truly improves patients’ lives.

What was the most important thing you learned at Duke?
The most important thing I learned at Duke was how to think like a clinical researcher — asking the right questions, designing meaningful studies, and translating data into impact. It gave me the tools to approach problems systematically and drive change in patient care.

 

Meet Other Graduates of the Class of 2025


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