2023-2024 Admissions Liaisons
Please find below a directory of current students that make up our Admissions Liaisons Program. They are eager and excited to speak with you! Their bios shine light on topics that they are especially interested in discussing, and we are confident that they will be able to answer any questions you may have. Do not hesitate to reach out to anyone of our Liaisons at any time- they are here to help!
Audrey Aitelli (She/Her/Hers)
Email: audrey.aitelli@duke.edu
Class Year: 2026
Hometown: Walnut Creek, CA
Undergraduate Institution: Bowdoin College
Specialty Interest: Urology, OB/Gyn, Pediatrics, Surgery
Hello! My name is Audrey and I am an MS2 from Walnut Creek, California. I went to Bowdoin for undergrad and then spent two years working in radiation oncology and substance use disorder research in Boston. I also have worked and volunteered for 6 years at Victory Junction, a camp in North Carolina for kids with medical conditions. At Duke, I am involved with Period Pals, HEY Durham, the Student Faculty Show, research, and a few interest groups. Outside of medical school, I love swimming, surfing, snowboarding, line dancing, going to Duke Basketball games, volunteering at Victory Junction, and spending time with friends. Reach out if you have questions. I am happy to chat about all things Duke Med, Durham, etc.
Courtney Bair (She/Her/Hers)
Email: cab192@duke.edu
Class Year: 2024
Hometown: Columbus, Ohio
Undergraduate Institution: Vanderbilt
Specialty Interest: Med-Peds, Adolescent Medicine, Cardiology
Hi! My name is Courtney and I’m a current MS3 at Duke Med. I grew up in Columbus, Ohio and graduated from Vanderbilt University. I did one year of clinical orthopedic research before coming to Duke Med. At Duke Med I’ve been involved with the Admissions Recruitment Committee, Med/Peds Interest Group, Student Faculty Show, Feagin Scholars Program, and the Social Media Advisory Board. During my third year I’m helping to teach Clinical Skills Foundation and Point of Care Ultrasound for the MS1s as well as doing clinical and translational pediatric cardiology research. In my free time I enjoy watching sports, hiking, baking, and exploring the Triangle with friends. I’m happy to talk about all things Duke Med including why I love Duke, basketball, exploring Durham, research, and our curriculum.
Alyssa Bartlett (She/Her/Hers)
Email: Alyssa.bartlett@duke.edu
Class Year: 2026
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Specialty Interest: Neurourgery
Hi, I’m Alyssa! I grew up in Flowery Branch, Georgia and moved to Atlanta in 2012 for college. I graduated from Georgia State University in 2016 with a B.S. in Neuroscience. Between undergrad and medical school, I spent four years working in restaurants as a server, bartender, and sommelier, got a master’s degree in biostatistics, and got married. Outside of school, I enjoy hiking, going to concerts, exploring new restaurants and coffee shops, and binge-watching reality TV. I’m happy to answer questions about the transition to medical school after gap years, balancing medical school with personal life, and why I chose Duke!
Srijan Bhasin (He/Him/His)
Email: srijan.bhasin@duke.edu
Class Year: 2025
Hometown: Reston, VA
Undergraduate Institution: College of William & Mary
Specialty Interest: Neurosurgery? Pediatrics?
Affinity Group Affiliation: South Asian
Hi, everyone! My name is Srijan, and I’m a current MS3 spending my research year abroad at Duke-NUS. When I'm not spending time in my neuroimaging lab, I am exploring the many opportunities Singapore and the region offer! Back in Durham, I was/am involved in the Anatomy Drawing Program and the Advanced Anatomy Interest Group. Before coming to medical school, I attended the College of William & Mary, where I studied Mathematical Biology. After graduating, I spent two years at the NIH as a post-bac researcher in a computational neuroscience lab. I love my dog, food, dancing Bhangra, and driving. I’m happy to answer any and all questions but am particularly suited to talk about what led me to Duke-NUS, getting back into school after taking a few years off, virtual interviews, or what led me to Duke SOM. I'm excited to get to know you!
Reuben Ryan Cano (He/Him)
Email: reubenryan.cano@duke.edu
Class Year: MSTP
Hometown: Rural Utah
Undergraduate Institution: Community College/University of Utah
Specialty Interest: Trauma surgery/Emergency Med/Gastroenterology. Immunology, Functional genomics, therapeutics development
Affinity Group Affiliation: Latino Medical Student Association, Wilderness, Austere, and Environmental Medicine, BOOST Beyond, Duke First-Gen and Low-Income in Medicine
I’m Reuben, currently a 3rd-year MD-PhD student at Duke Med. Born of Mexican immigrants, I was raised in rural Utah where I attended community college. I then transferred to the University of Utah where I did research in cancer metabolism, and received my bachelors degree in cell and molecular biology. I then moved to Boston where I did research for a couple of years at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard studying Inflammatory Bowel Disease therapeutics development (and also eating my way through Boston’s North End) before starting at Duke Med. I come from a working class background, and I’m the first one in my family to attend college and medical school. I’ve previously been part of many summer programs for students underrepresented in science and medicine, and have spent a considerable amount of my time here at Duke dedicated toward supporting and mentoring students from similar backgrounds. In my free time, I love to trail run, hike, fish, and spend a lot of time outdoors with my fiancee and our Gooldendoodle named Elsie. I also enjoy cooking, going out with friends, and finding new food spots in the Triangle area. Best of luck with all of your applications/interviews, and feel free to contact me with any questions about applying to Duke, my experiences here at DukeMed, or if you would like to know my current top 3 taco places, running trails, or fishing spots in Durham/the Triangle area!
Lucas Collins (He/Him/His)
Email: lucas.collins@duke.edu
Class Year: 2026
Hometown: Charlotte, NC
Undergraduate Institution: UNC Chapel Hill
Specialty Interest: Ob-Gyn, Interventional Radiology, Internal Medicine
What's up everybody! My name is Lucas, and I am a current MS2 from Charlotte, NC. I graduated from a school with a slightly lighter shade of blue - UNC Chapel Hill - as 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 hiking, 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!
Ashley Cummings (She/Her/Hers)
Email: alc103@duke.edu
Class Year: 2026
Hometown: Durham, NC
Undergraduate Institution: NC State
Specialty Interest: Transplant Medicine, Oncology, Critical Care
I am originally from Durham, NC and didn't decide to pursue medicine until later in college. I took 2 gap years between college and starting medical school. I worked in early solutions drug discovery and was also a middle school math teacher. If you have any questions about the path to medical school, gap years, Duke, or anything else, please don't hesitate to reach out!
Kate Daniel (She/Her/Hers)
Email: katherine.daniel@duke.edu
Class Year: 2025
Hometown: Richmond, Virginia
Specialty Interest: Pediatrics
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 a MS2 and am happy to answer any questions, especially about why I chose Duke, the first year experience, the humanities scholars program, quality improvement research, Durham's amazing run clubs and restaurants, and how to navigate cheering for two ACC basketball teams at once!
Raquel Garcia (She/Her/Ella)
Email: raquel.garcia@duke.edu
Class Year: 2026
Hometown: Orange County, California
Undergraduate Institution: San Jose State University
Specialty Interest: Health disparities, communication, medical education, and social determinants of health
Affinity Group Affiliation: LMSA
Hi everyone! In undergrad, I studied public health with a chem minor, focusing on community health education and health disparities work primarily in Black & Brown communities. I took 2 gap years, working on qualitative and community-based participatory research at Stanford. I have been involved in various clinical, research, community, and mentorship programs at Duke, such as LMSA, ROCK, BOOST, and Root Causes. Outside of school, I love running, reading, cooking, and exploring the area/finding new food & coffee shops. I am happy to talk about anything related to the application/admissions process, extracurriculars, being Latina at Duke, or anything else!
Ashley Gilbert (she/her/hers)
Email: ang56@duke.edu
Class Year: 2025
Hometown: Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Undergraduate Institution: Florida International University
Specialty Interest: Pediatrics
Hello! My name is Ashley, and I am a current MS3 with a strong interest in pediatrics! I graduated from Florida International University in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology, a second major in Psychology, and a third major in Interdisciplinary Studies. During my gap year I worked as a pediatric emergency room scribe, volunteered as a peer advisor for my school's pre-health office, and assisted as a research consenter in STD/HIV public health research. Outside of school, I enjoy cooking, baking, playing games, reading, and trying new restaurants! Feel free to ask me anything, whether it's why I chose Duke, advice on taking gap years, the application process itself, work/life balance, life in Durham, etc.
Anna Kulawiec (She/Her/Hers)
Email: anna.kulawiec@duke.edu
Class Year: 2025
Hometown: Portland, OR
Undergraduate Institution: University of Oregon
Specialty Interest: Pediatrics, Medical Education
Hello! My name's Anna, and I'm an MS2. 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, exploring the Triangle’s restaurants, and hosting a podcast (it’s called “A Flutter,” if you want to check it out!). I am absolutely happy to answer any questions you may have!
Danielle Levinson (She/Her/Hers)
Email: DLL45@duke.edu
Class Year: 2025
Hometown: Syracuse, NY/West Palm Beach, FL
Specialty Interest: Family medicine, rheumatology, neurology
I am a second-year student in the Primary Care Leadership Track (PCLT). After graduating from Wesleyan University in 2019, I served as a care coordinator in the National Health Corps in Jacksonville, FL and as an AmeriCorps reading tutor in West Palm Beach, FL. I'm interested in reducing socially-driven health disparities, particularly in rural, tribal, and Hispanic communities. In my free time, I enjoy creative writing, reading, and language learning.
Linda Li (She/Her/Hers)
Email: linda.w.li@duke.edu
Class Year: 2024
Hometown: New Orleans, Louisiana
Specialty Interest: Psychiatry, Medicine/Psychiatry
Affinity Group Affiliation: APAMSA (Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association)
I’m a New Orleans native who graduated from Emory (in Atlanta) in 2019 with a double major in biology and creative writing, and completed a Fulbright ETA grant in Taiwan before coming to Duke. I’m interested in medical humanities, narrative medicine, Asian American mental health, med student wellness/burnout, and health literacy/patient education, and I ultimately plan to apply into psychiatry and combined med/psych. I dabble in art, writing, and travel in my free time. Happy to talk about doing qualitative research for MS3 year, the second-year Longitudinal Integrated Clerkship (LIC) track, the medical humanities scene at DukeMed, mental health resources and wellness support, the best Asian food in Durham, or really anything you would like to ask!
Jamie Lim (She/Her/Hers)
Email: jl842@duke.edu
Class Year: 2026
Hometown: Mobile, AL
Specialty Interest: Undecided
Hey everyone, my name is Jamie! I graduated from Duke in 2022 with majors in biology and history. In my free time, I love going to concerts, baking, hanging out with dogs, 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 and the application process, why I came back for medical school, and things to do around the Triangle!
Neha Majety (She/Her/Hers)
Email: neha.majety@duke.edu
Class Year: MSTP
Hometown: Cary, NC
Undergraduate Institution: Johns Hopkins University
Specialty Interest: Undecided clinical interest/Immunology research interest
Affinity Group Affiliation: South Asian
Hello! My name is Neha and I am an MS1 in the MD/PhD program from Cary, North Carolina. I went to Johns Hopkins for undergrad and then spent one year continuing my undergraduate research in Type 1 Diabetes as well as scribing at a level 1 trauma center in Maryland. The following year, before entering into Duke Med, I did research at the DMPI (Duke Molecular Physiology Institute) in the White-McGarrah lab. I also interned at the(sugar)science, a virtual platform that works to connect type 1 diabetes researchers across the world. I love painting, cooking and baking, and fostering cats and dogs. I am interested in immunology for my PhD and quite open in terms of my clinical speciality. Happy to answer questions about the process or Duke Med, Durham, applying MSTP, etc. Reach out if you have questions!
Melissa Marchese (She/Her/Hers)
Email: mjm154@duke.edu
Class year: 2026
Hometown: North Fort Myers, Florida
Specialty interest: possibly internal medicine or neurology
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’m happy to talk about research, volunteering, life at Duke (& Duke basketball), living in Durham, and answer any other questions you might have.
Lexy Markunas (She/Her/Hers)
Email: alexandra.markunas@duke.edu
Class Year: 2026
Hometown: Lewisburg, Pennsylvania
Undergraduate Institution: Duke University
Specialty Interest: Pediatrics, Cardiology/interventional Cardiology
Hello! My name is Lexy, and I’m an MS2 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, or the Duke Med Elementary organization. Outside of medical school, I love to play tennis, bake, and cheer for Duke basketball! 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!
Jane Marryat (She/Her/Hers)
Email: jem142@duke.edu
Class Year: 2024
Hometown: Waxhaw, NC
Specialty Interest: Psychiatry and Pediatrics
I am a current MS3 at Duke from Waxhaw, North Carolina; I graduated in 2020 from the University of South Carolina after studying biology, neuroscience, and political science. My primary interests are in psychiatry and pediatrics. I'd be happy to talk about why I chose Duke for med school, my experiences as an MS1/MS2, what it's like living in Durham, or anything else--please feel free to reach out!
Aden Mendoza (He/Him/His)
Email: aden.mendoza@duke.edu
Class Year: 2024
Hometown: Sacramento, CA
Undergraduate Institution: UC San Diego
Specialty Interest: Neurosurgery, Neuro-Oncology
Affinity Group Affiliation: LMSA
Hi all, I'm Aden, a current MS3+ here at Duke. I completed my Bachelor's in Neuroscience and Master's in Biology at UC San Diego, followed by work in brain tumor immunology at UC Davis Medical Center prior to moving cross country to attend medical school! I'm starting my second year of research on brain tumor laser ablation the laboratory of Dr. Peter Fecci, which was funded by the Stead Scholarship through the Department of Medicine. I'm also passionate about equity in neurosurgery.
Outside of medicine, I enjoy audio engineering/music production, the outdoors, excellent food, and time with my fiancée and cat! Mentoring is very important to me, so don't hesitate to reach out about Duke, research, neurosurgery, moving cross country, etc.
Julia Mook (She/Her/Hers)
Email: jmm278@duke.edu
Class Year: 2025
Hometown: Apex, NC
Undergraduate Institution: Clemson University
Specialty Interest: Emergency Medicine, Social Determinants of Health, Public Health
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!
Kelly Owens (She/Her/Hers)
Email: kelly.owens@duke.edu
Class Year: 2025
Hometown: Durham, NC
Specialty Interest: Pediatrics, Internal Medicine
Hi everyone! I was born and raised in Greenville, NC, and I hope to live here for the rest of my life! My entire family lives in NC, and NC is a special place to me. I hope and feel confident that you will love it here too! 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.
Katie Penvose (She/Her/Hers)
Email: knp26@duke.edu
Class Year: 2024
Hometown: New Bern, NC
Specialty Interest: General Surgery or OB/GYN
Hi everyone! I grew up in the Midwest before relocating to New Bern, NC in 2016. I went to Washington University in St. Louis where I studied biochemistry and medical humanities. After graduating from WashU in 2019, I worked as a medical assistant in a dermatology office for my gap year. I'd be happy to talk to you about why I chose Duke, the transition back to school after taking a year off, moving from the Midwest, or any other questions you have! I recently completed my clinical rotations, so I'm happy to talk about Duke's unique curriculum as well.
Raquel Perry (She/Her/Hers)
Email: rap68@duke.edu
Class Year: MS3+
Hometown: Carver, MA
Undergraduate Institution: University of Massachusetts Amherst
Specialty Interest: Specialty interest: ENT and Pathology, Research interests: Basic Science, Microbiology
Happy to discuss why Duke, the pros and cons of an earlier clinical year, the third year experience, and the considerations for extra years of medical education.
else.
Nicole Schindler (She/Her/Hers)
Email: njs43@duke.edu
Class Year: 2024
Hometown: Fairfax, Virginia
Undergraduate Institution: Emory University
Specialty Interest: Family Medicine and Behavioral Health
My name is Nicole Schindler, and I am from Fairfax, VA right outside of Washington DC! I graduated from Emory University in 2020 with a degree in Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology. At Duke, I volunteer with WellNest Support Program, an organization that provides moving and furniture assistance to individuals who were previously homeless, the Benefits Enrollment Center, a group that performs health screenings at local food pantries, the Durham Center for Senior Life, a nonprofit senior center in downtown Durham, and JFU Telehealth Program, an organization that helps provide telehealth home care to seniors in Durham. I am also on the Primary Care Leadership Track and interested in the intersection between aging, behavioral health, and primary care. For fun, I enjoy running, baking, and exploring all the amazing places to eat in Durham!
Jazlyn Seidel (She/Her)
Email: jazlyn.seidel@duke.edu
Class Year: 2026
Hometown: Hermosa Beach, CA
Undergraduate Institution: Northeastern University
Specialty Interest: Rheumatology, Endocrinology, Oncology, Palliative Care
Hobbies: Cooking/baking, hiking, snowboarding, playing ukulele, reading, volunteering
Alex Sizemore (He/Him)
Email: alex.sizemore@duke.edu
Class Year: 2025
Hometown: Chapin, SC
Undergraduate Institution: Davidson College
Specialty Interest: Dermatology
Affinity Group Affiliation: Duke Med Pride (LGBTQ student group)
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 exec of the LGBTQ student group. If you have any questions about the application process, transitioning from a small liberal arts college, navigating gap years, being LGBTQ in healthcare/at Duke, or anything else at all, send me an email!
David Stevens (He/Him)
Email: dls101@duke.edu
Class Year: 2024
Hometown: Lexington, KY
Undergraduate Institution: Yale University
Specialty Interest: Cardiovascular disease, medical humanities, bioethics
I have also been involved with medical arts, the internal medicine interest group, and student government, and I am a huge Taylor Swift fan!
Spencer Sumner (He/Him/His)
Email: sfs26@duke.edu
Class Year: 2026
Hometown: Gainesville GA
Specialty Interest: ED, Surgery
Hello! My name is Spencer Sumner, I grew up in Gainesville Georgia, a smaller to mid sized city in the northwest corner of the state. For college, I attended the University of Georgia, graduating in May of 2022 with degrees in Anthropology and Biology. Currently, I am a MS1 (first year med student) interested in specializing in surgery or emergency medicine. My outside of school interests are hiking, carpentry, chess and indie movies. Talk to me about applying to medical school, first year life at duke, social life in durham, coming from the southeast or anything else you want to talk about!
Trevor Sytsma (He/Him/His)
Email: tms98@duke.edu
Class Year: 2025
Hometown: Renton, WA
Undergraduate Institution: Pepperdine University
Specialty Interest: Anesthesiology, Clinical Nutrition, Food Insecurity, Interprofessional Education
Affinity Group Affiliation: LGBTQIA+
Non-clinical interests: long-distance running, backpacking, and seeking out the Triangle's best vegan eats!
Tara Thomason (She/Her/Hers)
Email: tara.thomason@duke.edu
Class Year: MS3+
Hometown: Blanchard, OK
Undergraduate Institution: University of Houston
Specialty Interest: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Affinity Group Affiliation: FGLIMed & LMSA
Hi! My name is Tara, and I am a current MS3+ in the second year of my MBA program! I am originally from Blanchard, OK, and graduated from the University of Houston in 2020 before coming straight to Duke Med. My interests include plastic and reconstructive surgery, business administration, and medical education. In my free time I can be found hiking at the Eno River State Park, listening to true crime podcasts, finding the best boba spots in the Triangle, and keeping plastic bags away from my cat Guillermo. I’m happy to have a chat about Duke/Durham, the transition from college to med school, research, getting a dual degree, or anything else!
Katelyn Young (She/her/Hers)
Email: katelyn.young@duke.edu
Class Year: 2026
Hometown: Lewisburg, PA
Specialty Interest: Undecided!
Hello! My name is Katie, and I am currently a first-year student (MS1) 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!
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