Rachel Washart
Class of 2024: Biology Major, Global Health Minor, Latin American Studies Certificate
Pronouns: she/her
Current research project: I currently work in the Wood Lab in the Pharmacology and Cancer Biology department at Duke. My project focuses on a process called Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) that occurs in some cancers, allowing them to spread throughout the bloodstream and acquire drug resistance. In my time there, I have become well versed in basic molecular biology techniques and cell culture. I am also a huge advocate for mentorship, and I am currently mentoring a high school student from NCSSM.
Post-Duke plans: Following graduation, I will be attending an MD/PhD program in the Fall of 2024. I hope to bring my research experience together with my clinical exposure to pursue studies in cancer biology or immunology. My eventual goal is to run an academic lab at an institute like Duke, so I plan to be invested in research for a long time