Connect with Current Students

Delaney Anani-Wolf (she/her)

Email: dmw100@duke.edu

Class Year: 2027

Hometown: Bismarck, ND

Undergraduate Institution: Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

Specialty Interest: OB/Gyn, IM, MedPeds, undecided

I lived in the midwest my whole life until I moved down to Durham in 2023. I enjoy everything outdoors like running, hiking, backpacking, and bonfires. I also play ice hockey, like to play in music groups occasionally, and love to cook and dabble in baking.

I grew up in North Dakota and then attended undergrad in Minnesota before doing two years doing basic research with mice in a neuroimmunology lab. I plan to incorporate research into my career in whichever field I decide to go into.

Hi, everyone! My name is Srijan, and I’m a current MS3+ spending a year with the Duke Institute for Health Innovation (DIHI). I’m very excited to be back in Durham after an amazing first research year at Duke-NUS in Singapore. At school, I’ve been involved with the Anatomy Drawing Program, Advanced Anatomy Interest Group, and the Clinical Skills Foundations 1 course. Before making my way to Duke, I studied Mathematical Biology in college and spent two years at the NIH in a computational neuroscience lab. I love my dog, driving and dancing Bhangra! Happy to talk through any and all questions but I’m particularly well-suited to talk about third-year opportunities, getting back into school after taking a few years off, virtual interviews, and what led me to Duke SOM. Excited to get to know you!

Beau Blass (he/him)

Email: beau.blass@duke.edu

Class Year: 2025

Hometown: Berwick, PA

Undergraduate Institution: Duke University

Specialty Interest: Internal Medicine - Primary Care

Hi there! My name is Beau and I'm an MS4 in the Primary Care Leadership Track. Before med school, I served with the National Health Corps as a patient advocate for one of Philadelphia's public health centers. My interests include primary care, health equity, and community engagement. I recently completed a Master's in Public Health at UNC-Chapel Hill and am happy to talk about my experience with this (or anything else)!

Email: allan.chen@duke.edu

Class Year: 2027

Hometown: Denver, CO

Undergraduate Institution: Duke

Specialty Interest: Surgical Oncology

Hey y'all! My name is Allan and I am a MS2 interested in surgical oncology. I went to Duke undergrad and took 2 gap years working as a medical assistant in LA and teaching English in Mexico. Currently I am involved with class council and APAMSA. Outside of school, I love traveling, going to live music, and cooking. Reach out if you have any questions about med school or social life, Duke basketball, etc!

What's up everybody! My name is Lucas, and I am a current MS3 from Charlotte, NC. I graduated from a school with a slightly lighter shade of blue - UNC Chapel Hill - with a Biology major in 2021. At UNC, I was involved in the teaching assistant program, and I look to stay involved in medical education throughout my career. I then worked at Duke as a coordinator of our vaccination programs in my gap year. Having stayed in NC throughout my life - feel free to reach out if you have any questions about NC living or the triangle area. I'm a big sports fan, and I enjoy running, hanging out with friends, and traveling. Happy to discuss the application process, the DukeMed curriculum, research, and really anything else you can think of. Feel free to reach out anytime!

Hello! My name is Anna and I am a fourth-year medical student here at Duke. I was born and raised in Veazie, Maine, and graduated from the University of Maine in 2019 with a degree in Biochemistry and a Microbiology minor. At UMaine, I was a student-athlete on the women’s soccer team. Following graduation, I worked as a medical scribe and for the CDC COVID-19 Pandemic Response Team. At Duke, I am involved with groups including the Careers in Internal Medicine Interest Group (CIMIGro), Medicine in Motion, Healthy STEPS, HEY Durham, and BOOST Beyond, and will apply into Internal Medicine for residency! Outside of academics, I love playing and watching sports, going for walks, traveling, and trying the amazing restaurants Durham has to offer! I am happy to talk about all things related to medical school and life as a medical student - from living away from home for the first time, coming to Durham from New England, life post-college athletics, staying active/playing sports as a medical student, the application process, our curriculum including third-year research, Internal Medicine, etc. I look forward to meeting you!

Hi everyone! After growing up in Richmond, Virginia, I attended the University of Virginia, where I completed my undergraduate and master's degrees in statistics before coming to Duke. I am now an MS4 and am happy to answer any questions, especially about why I chose Duke, Durham community engagement opportunities, the humanities scholars program, the third year research experience, Durham's amazing run clubs and restaurants, and how to navigate cheering for two ACC basketball teams at once!

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Rachel D'Cunha (she/her/hers)

Email: rld51@duke.edu

Class Year: 2027

Hometown: Tarpon Springs, FL

Undergraduate Institution: Emory University

Specialty Interest: Ophthalmology

Affinity Group: South Asian Medical Student Affiliation (SAMoSA)

Hi everyone! My name is Rachel and I am an MS2 from Tarpon Springs, Florida. I graduated from Emory University in 2022 majoring in Biology & Anthropology and then took 1 gap year before starting med school. I spent my gap year living abroad in La Rioja, Spain teaching English on a Fulbright scholarship. Some of my interests include painting and drawing (I joined the anatomy drawing program at Duke and loved it!), spin biking, Bhangra (Indian dance) and fictional writing. I’m more than happy to chat with anyone about the transition between a non-clinical gap year back into med school, my experiences as an MS1 or my growing Durham recs  Reach out anytime!

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Elizabeth Fan (She/Her)

Email: elizabeth.fan@duke.edu

Class Year: 2027

Hometown: Newton, Massachusetts

Undergraduate Institution: UC Berkeley

Specialty Interest: Derm/Optho

After majoring in Biology at UC Berkeley, I spent my first gap year working as a MA in San Francisco, then I briefly went to nursing school at Duke before I quit and applied to medical school. During that process I worked as a research technician at Duke. I also worked as an MCAT tutor and volunteered with local Pride organizations.

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Parker Frankiewicz (she/her/hers)

Email: parker.frankiewicz@gmail.com

Class Year: 2027

Hometown: Waxahachie, TX

Undergraduate Institution: Duke University

Specialty Interest: Trauma Surgery/Critical Care/EM

Hi all, my name is Parker! I'm a current MS2 at DukeMed. I've become bit of a "Duke Lifer" as I went to Duke for both undergrad and grad school. I spent much of my time in undergrad as a drummer and a drum major for the Duke University Marching and Pep Band, and I carry on that passion for music in medical school by playing in the band for our student-faculty showcase and other events. In getting my Master's in Global Health, I spent a great deal of time in Tanzania doing research on acute injury care, healthcare economics, and delays to care. Outside of school, I love to cook, read, play/listen to music, and just generally live outdoors! Best of luck with y'all's applications and feel free to reach out about DukeMed, Durham, or what it was like to see Coach K coach his last basketball game!

Casey Gilles (He/Him/His)

Email: casey.gilles@duke.edu

Class Year: MS1 (MSTP)

Hometown: Sacramento, CA

Undergraduate Institution: UCLA

Specialty Interest: CT Surgery / Cardiology

What’s up?! My name is Casey and I am an MS1 in the MSTP here at Duke. I graduated from UCLA (go bruins!) in 2022 with a degree in physiological science and worked in sports medicine with the men’s soccer team, as a campus tour guide, volunteered with several global health groups, and performed research in neuroscience and pathology labs. After college, I worked in a lab at Stanford for two years investigating the cellular and molecular mechanisms of aortic aneurysm development in patients with genetic connective tissue disorders. This experience undoubtedly spurred my interest in cardiovascular health!

I love basketball, soccer, snowboarding, tennis, and golf, and am excited to cheer very loudly at Cameron Indoor! I I am also super excited to connect with future students, so feel free to email me with any questions about why Duke, research and MD/PhD, the coast to coast transition, or just general advice. Can’t wait to talk with you all!

Abra Granger (She/Her/Hers)

Email: abra.granger@duke.edu

Class Year: MS1 (MSTP)

Hometown: Winston-Salem

Undergraduate Institution: University of Richmond

Specialty Interest: Ob/Gyn or Emergency Medicine

Hello! I'm Abra, an MS1 from Winston-Salem, NC. I played Division 1 field hockey at the University of Richmond, graduating in 2021 with a major in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, a minor in Spanish, and four years of research experience in computational chemistry. During my gap years, I was an NIH IRTA research fellow at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, focusing on dynamic protein behavior using molecular dynamics methods. Outside of academics, I enjoy traveling, trying new foods, listening to podcasts, playing sports, and spending time with family and friends. Feel free to ask me about transitioning to medical school after gap years, pursuing an MD/PhD, or why I chose Duke!

Haley Hutchinson (she/her)

Email: haley.hutchinson@duke.edu

Class Year: 2027

Hometown: Los Altos, CA

Undergraduate Institution: Duke

Specialty Interest: Unsure, but likely a pediatric subspecialty!

Hi there, I’m Haley! I grew up in the Bay Area and first came to Durham to attend Duke for undergrad. After graduating in 2021, I worked for two years in a cancer biology research lab here before starting medical school officially made me a double-Dukie. In my free time, I love running, pickup volleyball or pickle ball, traveling, and continuing to explore local restaurants and breweries with friends. I would love to talk to you about (student) life in Durham, gap year experiences, the med school application process, or any other questions you might have!

Trevor James (He/Him)

Email: trevor.james@duke.edu

Class Year: 2027

Hometown: St. Johns, AZ

Undergraduate Institution: Brigham Young University

Specialty Interest: Undecided

Hi! My name is Trevor James, and I’m from the rural town of St. Johns, AZ. I studied genetics and biotechnology at BYU and went straight from undergrad to medical school. I love being at Duke University School of Medicine and getting involved with various interest and mentorship groups. I'm a big sports fan and enjoy watching all kinds of sports, as well as playing basketball, pickleball, and golf. I also like going to the beach, exploring the parks and trails in Durham, and trying out new restaurants in the Triangle area. I’m happy to answer any questions and help in any way I can!

Grace Kim (she/her)

Email: gk125@duke.edu

Class Year: 2025

Hometown: Atlanta, GA

Undergraduate Institution: Johns Hopkins University

Specialty Interest: Internal Medicine (Rheumatology, Nephrology, Geriatrics)

Hi, my name is Grace, and I am a current MS4 at DukeMed! I majored in Neuroscience and Psychology in undergrad, came straight through to Duke, and am planning on applying into Internal Medicine this year! During my time at Duke, I've been involved in the Admissions Recruitment Committee, Anatomy Drawing Program, CARE Connections, Hotspotting Initiative, Asian Pacific American Students Association (APAMSA), and Careers in Internal Medicine Group (CIMIGro). In my free time, I love to stay active, including bouldering, running, and golfing, to knit, and to hang out with friends. Happy to talk about my experiences about medical school, going straight through to medical school, and/or anything Duke/Durham-related!

Hello! My name's Anna, and I'm an MS4. I grew up near Portland, OR and studied Biology at the University of Oregon. During my gap year, I had a blast working in Chicago as an AmeriCorps member, where I helped teach middle schoolers reading and math. I decided to come to Duke due to the incredible people, the curriculum opportunities, and Durham’s closeness to nature. Professionally, I’m interested in the intersections of education, wellness, and primary care. Outside of school, I enjoy cuddling with my cat, running, knitting, and exploring the Triangle’s restaurants. I am happy to answer any questions you may have!

After graduating from Wesleyan in 2019 with a neuroscience major, I spent two years in AmeriCorps, first serving as a care coordinator and health educator in Jacksonville, Florida, and then as a literacy tutor in West Palm Beach. My health care interests include working with underserved communities and narrative medicine. I am proud to be a member of the Primary Care Leadership Track (PCLT). In my free time, I enjoy creative writing, reading, learning languages, and traveling to the mountains and the sea!

Hi! My name is Jamie, and I'm from Alabama. I graduated from Duke in 2022 with majors in biology and history. At Duke Med, I've been involved with APAMSA, the Duke Hotspotting Initiative, and the History of Medicine Interest Group. In my free time, I love hanging out with my dog, traveling (road trips!), going to concerts, and trying new restaurants and cafes in the area. Feel free to reach out about anything — I’m happy to talk about my experiences at Duke, the application process, and things to do around the Triangle!

Hi! My name is Melissa and I’m from southwest Florida. I went to Duke for undergrad (majoring in environmental science) and my master’s in global health. I’ve done research with psych/neuroscience and OB-GYN faculty here focused on environmental toxicology and neurodevelopment. I will studying the effects of HIV therapy and pollutant exposures on cardiac outcomes next year. I’m happy to talk about research, volunteering, life at Duke (& Duke basketball), living in Durham, and answer any other questions you might have.

Hello! My name is Lexy, and I’m a rising MS3 from Central Pennsylvania. I graduated from Duke in 2022 with a major in biology. Since starting at Duke as an undergraduate, I have pursued research in pediatric cardiology and volunteered on the Pediatric Transplant and Cellular Therapies Unit of Duke Hospital. With regards to Duke Med, I'm more than happy to talk about the Medical Spanish elective, Chancellor's Service Fellowship, the Duke Med Elementary organization, or involvement with the Duke Human Simulation and Patient Safety Center. Outside of medical school, I love to play tennis/pickleball, bake, and cheer for Duke basketball! I'm also happy to chat about why I chose to come back to Duke for medical school, moving to North Carolina, and any other questions that you may have!

Hello! My name is Julia and I am originally from Houston, Texas. My family moved to North Carolina when I was young and I have lived here ever since! I went to Clemson University for undergrad and studied microbiology/biomedicine before pursuing a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology at Columbia University. In my free time I love to play music (I play the piano and kalimba), hike, kayak, sketch/paint, play table tennis, and explore the many restaurants and breweries in Durham. I would love to talk to you about life as a medical student, fun things to do in Durham, gap year experiences, and the general transition to medical school. Go Duke!

Aidan Murray (He/Him)

Email: aidan.murray@duke.edu

Class Year: 2026

Hometown: Denver, CO

Undergraduate Institution: George Washington University

Specialty Interest: Anesthesia / Emergency Medicine / Critical Care

Hi there! My name is Aidan and I'm an MS3 from Denver, Colorado. I studied Biomedical Engineering at George Washington University and spent time doing research in Medical Imaging and Assistive Robotics. I also worked as a Medical Scribe and EMT during my numerous gap years. When I'm not in class or on clinical rotations, I love taking advantage of the amazing outdoor spaces around Durham. I'm also involved in the Wilderness & Austere Environment Medicine Interest Group and am passionate about Service Learning and Sustainability efforts at Duke. Reach out with any and all questions, I'm looking forward to hearing from you!

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Sam Ndukwe (He/Him/His)

Email: son@duke.edu

Class Year: 2027

Hometown: Raleigh, NC

Undergraduate Institution: UNC-Chapel Hil

Specialty Interest: PM&R, Cardiology, Neurology, Family Medicine

Hey, I'm Sam! I am a current MS2 and proud UNC Tar Heel (c/o 2021). I am fascinated by regenerative medicine and serve as President of Black Men in White Coats. Before medical school, I took 2 gap years to really explore my medical interests, spend time with family, and acquire a masters degree in clinical informatics from Duke. Mentorship is everything to me because I wouldn't have made it here without it, so feel free to reach out if you have any questions. I love to talk basketball, music, and the food scene here in Durham.

Hi everyone! I graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and had the best college experience in the neighboring city to Durham. Go Tarheels! I worked as a nursing assistant in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit for almost two years before starting at Duke. I love dancing, reading, working out, going to the beach, and being outside, and now, I love DukeMed, too. I am happy to talk about Durham, NC, DukeMed, transitioning to medical school, and anything else. Please don’t hesitant to reach out to me. I utilized the student ambassador page during my admission cycle and found all of my conversations reassuring.

Jenny Paul (she/her)

Email: jjp62@duke.edu

Class Year: 2026

Hometown: New Bern, NC

Undergraduate Institution: NC State

Specialty Interest: General surgery (pediatrics or trauma fellowship?)

Hi there! My name is Jenny, and I'm a rising MS3 with an interest in general surgery (potentially pediatrics or trauma surgery). At Duke, I'm involved in research, volunteer projects, the CSF1 course for first years, and the yearly student-faculty musicals. Outside of med school (yes, you can have a life outside of school!), I enjoy playing cards/board games, trail running, and exploring Durham. I'm happy to talk about Duke, med school, or really anything!

Email: jrr51@duke.edu

Class Year: 2025

Hometown: Orlando, FL and San Fernando, Trinidad

Undergraduate Institution: Duke University

Specialty Interest: Pediatrics

Hi all, I'm an MS4 applying to Pediatrics! I majored in English at Duke and, during my gap year, did College Advising Corps in Durham. I enjoy cooking, painting, playing the piano, and spending time outdoors with my dog. I'm a first-gen college student and would love to support others who may share elements of this experience. Ask me questions about life in Durham, queer community at Duke, having a pet in med school, getting involved in humanities-related activities, and anything else you can think up!

Email: hnr9@duke.edu

Class Year: 2025

Hometown: San Diego, California

Undergraduate Institution: UC Berkeley

Specialty Interest: Pediatrics (hematology/oncology)

Hi everyone! My name is Hannah, and I am an MS4 from San Diego, California. Since coming to Duke, I have been involved in the Holton Clinic, DMSJ, WellNest, CARE Connections, and BOOST Beyond. For my third year, I completed my research at UC San Diego, and I am planning on applying into categorical pediatrics this year! Outside of medical school, I enjoy hiking, traveling, snowboarding, and trying new restaurants in Durham. Please reach out if you have any questions! Happy to chat more about studying away, coming to Durham from California, pediatrics, etc.

Mary Silzer (she/her/hers)

Hi, I'm Alex! I'm from Chapin, SC, and I went to Davidson College and did a gap year in Boston. I'm also on student council and the exec board of the LGBTQ student group. If you have any questions about the application process, transitioning from a small liberal arts college, navigating gap years, opportunities for student involvement at Duke, or anything else at all, send me an email!

Hi Yall! My Name is Spencer Sumner and I am a current third year here at Duke using my research year to do a project on diagnosing and treating Hypertension in HIV positive Patients in Tanzania as well as doing a couple other side projects. My Interests are broad but I love procedural specialties and the cultural and humanities aspects of healthcare. Ask me about the Armstrong scholars program if thats your jam. Outside of Med school I love to spend as much time outside as possible, Hiking, swimming, cycling etc. Also love Woodworking, Chess, and Arthouse Films. If you have any questions about what it's like in living in Durham, going straight through from undergrad to med school, coming from a Big SEC school or anything else feel free to reach out!

Zoya Surani (she/her/hers)

Email: zoya.surani@duke.edu

Class Year: 2027

Hometown: Corpus Christi, TX

Undergraduate Institution: Harvard University

Specialty Interest: Pediatrics, OBGYN, FM

Hi! My name is Zoya and I'm an MS2 in the Primary Care Leadership Track. I graduated from Harvard College in 2022 and studied Cognitive Neuroscience with a minor in Education. I spent my gap year before medical school working on maternal and child health research in Karachi, Pakistan, primarily related to developmental neuroscience and ACEs, while also working on storytelling work related to Pakistani identity and The Partition of 1947! My current clinical interests include (primary care) pediatrics, OBGYN, and family medicine. At Duke, I'm involved with Curriculum Committee, Narratives (pediatrics), math tutoring through Duke ARAC, the Period Education Project, and am on Camp Kesem's Advisory Board! Please feel free to reach out with any questions related to the application process, Duke's curriculum, PCLT, life in Durham, finding babies to sit, research, and/or anything else!

Hey there! I’m Trevor and I’m a current fourth year medical student applying into Anesthesiology this year with additional interests in medical education, interprofessional collaborative practice, clinical nutrition and community-based initiatives addressing food/nutrition security. Outside of medicine, I love marathoning and exploring the Triangle’s best vegan eats. Feel free to shoot me an email!

Alice Tang (she/hers)

Email: art30@duke.edu

Class Year: 2027

Hometown: Little Rock, Arkansas

Undergraduate Institution: Columbia University

Specialty Interest: OB-Gyn, Dermatology, Rheumatology, Internal Medicine

Hi everyone! My name is Alice and I'm originally from Little Rock, Arkansas. I did my undergrad in New York and stayed there for one gap year working as an MA in a dermatology clinic. At Duke Med, I'm involved in Med Students For Choice, Dermatology Interest Group, Narratives, and the Armstrong Scholars program. Medical humanities, and more broadly, pursuing activities that nourish your passion for medicine, is a big part of what I stand for. Outside of school, I love running, art museums, and frolicking in the Duke Gardens. Reach out to me if you want to talk about what it's like moving from a larger metropolitan city to Durham, work-life balance as a med student, and why I chose Duke!

Hello! My name is Katie, and I am currently a third-year student (MS3) at Duke. I am originally from rural Pennsylvania. I attended Bucknell University in my hometown where I majored in Neuroscience. I took six gap years before starting medical school. During this time, I cared for my amazing grandparents and worked in research at Geisinger Health. Feel free to reach out to me with any questions! I would be happy to talk about why I chose DukeMed and to share my experiences as a medical student. I am also happy to chat about non-traditional paths to medical school and the value of authenticity throughout this journey. Best wishes with your application!

Ysaac Zegeye (he/him/his)

Email: yz893@duke.edu

Class Year: 2027

Hometown: Nazareth, PA

Undergraduate Institution: Northeastern University

Specialty Interest: OBGYN, Dermatology, Anesthesia, Radiation Oncology,

Hi everybody! My name is Ysaac, I am a second-year student here at Duke Med. I am originally from northeast rural PA but spent the last 6 years up in Boston! While in Boston, I began to develop an interest in both benchside and translational research through experiences in Radiation Oncology and Dermatology. Additionally, I was able to study Women's, Gender, and Sexuality studies, which introduced me to the social determinants of health and instilled a priority within me to cater my medical career to serve vulnerable populations. Moving to Durham and meeting my outstanding classmates has been such a memorable experience; I am more than happy to tell you all about my time as an MS1 as well as moving to Durham from a larger city! Also, please reach out if you would like to learn more about DEI here at Duke Med.

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Michael Zhu (He/Him)

Email: m.zhu@duke.edu

Class Year: 2027

Hometown: Orange County, CA

Undergraduate Institution: Rice University

Specialty Interest: Undecided

My name is Michael, and I’m an MS2. I attended Rice University, where I researched chronic pain and served as a patient care navigator. After graduating with a neuroscience major in 2023, I spent my final premed days teaching at a STEM summer camp. Here at Duke Med, I’m involved in the student-faculty band, ophthalmology interest group, and Christian medical & dental association. Outside of school I enjoy biking, jazz, and exploring the Triangle. I’m happy to chat with you about applications, transitioning to med school, and connecting faith and medicine!