The Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology welcomes six new doctoral students across two degree programs this fall. Drawn by Duke University School of Medicine's collaborative research environment, strong mentorship culture, and broad scientific opportunities, the students bring a varied of backgrounds and experiences as they begin their graduate training.
PhD in Molecular Cancer Biology Students
Sarah Lamson graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Dartmouth College, where she studied mitophagy in breast cancer in the Shoemaker Lab and explored breast cancer’s association with obesity during internships in the Moses Lab at Boston Children's Hospital. After graduation, she worked as a research assistant studying pediatric-brain tumors in the Bandopadhayay Lab at Dana-Farber. She chose Duke for PhD studies because of its faculty and collaborative environment. She’s from Sherborn, Massachusetts and enjoys hiking and baking.
Isabella Strumolo earned an AB in molecular biology from Princeton University. She was drawn to Duke's interdisciplinary, collaborative, and rigorous research culture, which brings together scientists with a shared goal of improving patient outcomes. Strumolo is particularly interested in studying the molecular mechanisms underlying cancer while working at the intersection of medicine, academia, and industry. As an undergraduate, she conducted independent research in the Schwarzbauer Lab, developing tools to study the extracellular matrix, an experience that inspired her interest in the tumor microenvironment. Originally from Howell, New Jersey, she enjoys baking and searching for the best local coffee shops.
PhD in Pharmacology Students
Kathleen McDaniel earned a Bachelor of Science in biology from Kansas State University. McDaniel said Duke's Pharmacology and Cancer Biology program stood out because of its wide range of research opportunities and the flexibility to explore different scientific interests through laboratory rotations. During her visit to campus, she was particularly impressed by the collaborative and welcoming atmosphere among faculty and students. She said Duke felt like an ideal place to explore new research directions while growing as a scientist.
Amaya N. Mendez-Molina earned a Bachelor of Science in pharmacological chemistry from the University of California San Diego. She said Duke's interdisciplinary research environment and rigorous science initially attracted her to the program, but the collaborative culture ultimately set it apart. Through conversations with faculty and students, Mendez-Molina found a community that was both welcoming and supportive. Outside the lab, she enjoys traveling, scuba diving, and making wine.
Harrison Smith earned a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry from Binghamton University. He chose Duke because of its close-knit and supportive research community, as well as the department's combination of academic rigor and opportunities to make a meaningful impact through scientific discovery. Smith completed his undergraduate degree in three years and began his doctoral studies immediately afterward, having long known he wanted to pursue a career in pharmacology research. Outside of science, he enjoys cooking, traveling, and learning how to recreate favorite meals from places he has visited.
Carolyn Waldie earned a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry from Southwestern University. Originally from Dallas, Texas, Waldie conducted research at both Southwestern University and the University of Texas at Austin before spending a summer at Duke as an Amgen Scholar in the Darnell Lab. That experience helped convince her that Duke was the right place to pursue her doctoral training. She said the welcoming faculty, enthusiastic mentors, and vibrant graduate student community made a lasting impression. In her free time, she enjoys running, baking, and reading.