Richard Zhou
Biology Major, Spanish Minor
Pronouns: he/him
Current Research Project: I am currently a researcher in the Ji Lab in the Department of Anesthesiology, where I study mechanisms of chronic and acute pain using mouse models. My project focuses on the pain-relieving properties of green light stimulation following a mechanism of injury (e.g., nerve ligation, bone fracture). Aside from that, I am also a member of a Bass Connections team called SALUD. Through this commitment, I develop and teach a curriculum about the social determinants of health geared toward Latinx high schoolers aiming to pursue health professions; on the research side, I examine the effectiveness of our curriculum in improving college and career readiness through post-program surveys. Lastly, I serve as the Project Director of Project Research, one of Duke’s Experiential Orientation programs for new students; here, I assist in introducing students to Duke’s diverse research landscape through lab tours, visits to historical sites, and faculty lectures.
How he got involved with research: I have always been interested in pain research, so I looked through faculty profiles on the Duke Department of Anesthesiology website and found the Ji Lab. Upon emailing Dr. Ji, I was invited to an interview and lab tour and ultimately landed a research position. Additionally, I discovered SALUD through the Bass Connections fair and got involved because I felt passionate about teaching and healthcare equity. Lastly, I was a member of Project Research during my freshman year, and I really appreciated the experiences and relationships that I received through it; that is what inspired me to become the director and pass on these meaningful moments to younger students.