December 24, 2024 • 19 mins
This episode features a peer-to-peer conversation between two Stanford University students/interns, Mary Tyler Mosley and Lydia Wang, discussing their academic backgrounds, research experiences, and perspectives on medicine and healthcare. Mary Tyler, a senior majoring in human biology with a focus on neurobiology and neuroscience, is conducting research on transcriptional changes in oligodendrocyte precursor cells at the Knowles Lab for pediatric epilepsy. Lydia, a sophomore pursuing biology and creative writing, is a research assistant at the Stanford Psychophysiology Laboratory. They discuss their motivations for pursuing medicine and research, the challenges they face, and their views on the future of healthcare. The conversation covers topics such as balancing academic demands, navigating career uncertainties, the importance of mentorship, and advice for aspiring medical professionals and researchers. Both interns emphasize the significance of interdisciplinary approaches in medicine and the need for patient-centered care.
CME credit is not available for this activity.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
(gentle music)
- Welcome to "Stanford Medcast,"
the podcast from Stanford CME
that brings you the latest insights
from the world's leadingphysicians and scientists.
If you're joining us for the first time,
be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcast,
Amazon Music, Spotify, or YouTube
(00:22):
to stay updated with our newest episodes.
I am your host, Dr. Ruth Adewuya.
In this episode, I amturning over the microphone
to our 2024 "Stanford Medcast" interns,
Mary-Tyler Mosley and Lydia Wang.
Mary-Tyler is a seniorat Stanford University
majoring in human biology
with a concentration inneurobiology and neuroscience
(00:43):
and minoring in symbolic systems.
Her deep fascination with the molecular
and cellular functions of the brain,
particularly in relationto neurological disorders,
drives her passion for future in research.
She's currently conductingcutting edge research
at the Knowles Lab for pediatric epilepsy
at Stanford Medicine,
(01:04):
where she's developing her honors thesis
on transcriptional changes
in oligodendrocyte precursor cells,
focusing on the phenomenonof maladaptive myelination.
Lydia Wang is a sophomoreat Stanford University
pursuing a double interest inbiology and creative writing.
She's a Research Assistant
of the StanfordPsychophysiology Laboratory
(01:26):
where she analyzes emotional responses
using behavioral, autonomic,and brain imaging methods.
Lydia's passion lies in understanding
how the human body works
and finding ways tofix it when it doesn't.
With a strong interest inmedicine, she's exploring
how she can contribute tothe field in the future.
- Thank you, Dr. Adewuya. I'm Lydia Wang.
(01:49):
- And I'm Mary-Tyler Mosley.
In this unique episodeof "Stanford Medcast,"
Lydia and I will take the lead
in an engaging peer-to-peer conversation,
bringing a fresh perspective
to the field of medicine and research.
- We will explore how diverseundergraduate experiences
can contribute to thebroader medical community
and offer insights for those considering
(02:09):
or already involved inresearch and healthcare.
Just to start things off,
could you please introduce yourself
and share a little about your background?
What's been your academic focus so far,
and how has your researchshaped your view of medicine?
- I am studying neurobiologyand neuroscience.
Most of the work that I'mdoing focuses on the molecular
and cellular mechanismsbehind neurological disorders.
(02:32):
Ultimately, I plan on completing a PhD
and continuing research in this area.
As a researcher concernedwith how molecular
and cellular workings build upto the larger scale functions
and dysfunctions of the body,
my approach usually involves looking
at how the body works from the inside out,
whereas I imagine cliniciansmight tend to think of medicine
(02:52):
as being on the outside looking in.
In this same vein, I viewresearch and medicine
as workhorse behind the scenes
working from the bottomup to support clinicians
in their direct interfacing with patients
by providing foundational knowledge
and developing therapeutics.
Lydia, I would love to hear a bit more
about your journey as well.
(03:13):
What drew you to the pre-med path,
and what are you most excited about
as you work toward becoming a physician?
- I've always been interestedin sciences in general.
Throughout high school,I took a lot of biology,
chemistry, physics courses,
and I realized I really lovelearning how things work
and especially how humans work.
It wasn't until I was hospitalizedto a medical condition
(03:34):
that I truly felt theimpact of the medical field
and understood its significance.
I want to give back in thesame way that I've been helped,
directly interact with patients,
alleviate their worries, andhelp them become the healthiest
and happiest version of themselves,
the same way my surgeonsand nurses supported me
throughout my hospitalization.
This is my main motivation
behind wanting to becomea physician in the future.
(03:57):
- That's very beautiful, andit sounds like this is a path
that you've been set on for a long time.
And so being on the pre-med track,
how has that shaped yourexperience as an undergraduate?
- Academically, as a pre-med student,
I do have to take alot of pre-med courses,
such as my sciences, anatomy,as well as other courses
(04:17):
that will solidify myfoundations and my knowledge
on becoming a medicalprofessional in the future.
However, it also made me value
a lot of human-focused experiences.
I've met so many interesting people
with unique life stories.
I feel like I'm continuouslyworking on my empathy,
communication skills,and cultural competence
while connecting with others.
(04:38):
I've been able to broaden my knowledge
on the various types of medical fields
that I could be involvedwith in the future.
This familiarity has opened myeyes to pathways I can pursue
and has taught me that the world
is so much more expansive than I know.
Turning back to your research-focused
undergraduate experience,
I was wondering if you could elaborate
on the research projectsyou've been involved in,
(05:00):
as well as how these experienceshave influenced your view
on the intersection betweenresearch and patient care.
- I have been truly privilegedto work on a variety
of different research projects,
with topic spanning therole of the LRRK2 gene
in Parkinson's disease,
the impact of maternal dieton offspring stroke outcome,
(05:20):
and currently, the transcriptional changes
that drive maladaptivemyelination in epilepsy.
I found them to each be very unique,
and I think that unexpected breadth
has also given me a greater appreciation
for the complexity of medicineand the different phenotypes
and set of trials that eachdisease or disorder brings.
(05:40):
I have additionally been fortunate
to connect my experiences in the lab
with patient interactions.
When I was working on theproject looking at Parkinson's,
I was also volunteeringin the clinic at that time
and getting to learn abouttheir experiences firsthand.
These are the moments thatreally help to humanize
the research that you're doing,
which can get a little lostsometimes when you're focusing
(06:02):
on the really nitty-grittycellular mechanisms,
as I often am.
Getting to explore medicineinside and outside of the lab
in this way has reallydriven home for me the idea
that regardless of what direction
you're approaching it from,
medicine is all about the patient.
Even science and researchhas a human reason behind it.
- I think that's really well said.
(06:24):
- Lydia, I'm curious, assomeone on the med school track,
how do you feel your research,
clinical experiences, and other activities
have complimented your clinical ambitions?
- The importance of research,clinical experiences,
and these other activities
is to gain exposure to the medical field.
Going through theseexperiences has made me realize
(06:45):
that I truly enjoy what I'm doing,
and I feel like everyonehas to have the passion
for healthcare in order to continue on
and be successful in it,
as well as to emotionallyconnect with their patients.
Otherwise, it is a long pathway.
The main value that I've gained
through my clinical experiences
is that I understand how tomake people feel comfortable.
(07:07):
I understand how to talk to patients,
how to tell when they're nervous
or when they're a little upsetor if they have a bad day.
Through this, I've learnedhow to react to them
in a way that makes themfeel secure and accepted.
- That is a great mindset to have,
incorporating the patient perspective
into your own actions as a provider
to really provide patient care,
not just in the medical sense,
(07:28):
but on a personal level as well.
This is simultaneously part
of what makes being a healthcareprovider so demanding.
For this reason, many consider medicine
to be more than a job but a lifestyle.
How then do you manage the demands
of preparing for a career in medicine
with all of your otherclasswork and all that you do?
- The main thing to dois be sure to plan ahead,
(07:50):
be sure to schedule out your events,
and ensure that you aretaking responsibility
for everything you must do,as well as managing your time
so that you're not procrastinating.
- I'd agree.
I'd say I pretty much live
by my Google Calendar and my planner.
Ideally, you have to keep on top of things
and not let them pile up, haveyour priorities sorted out,
and honestly just beready to put in some work.
(08:11):
- You definitely seem like youhave a pretty busy schedule.
I'm curious, now that you'reexploring both research
and potentially medicine,
I was wondering how do younavigate your uncertainty
while making career decisions,
and if you've ever feltunsure of your path,
how did you handle that?
- I've been set on studyingmolecular and neurobiology
since my freshman year of high school
(08:32):
and have been able tosustain that interest
throughout my undergraduate career.
I've likewise been firmon wanting to earn a PhD
and opting out of the pre-med path.
My main passion is for research,
and this has driven my decision.
Though, recently, I havebeen gaining interest
in the clinical side of things as well.
This is something that Ibegan considering recently
as I entered my senior year,
so it was coming a bit late in the game.
(08:54):
That was definitely abit unsettling for me
to suddenly have these doubts
as someone who had been so confident
in not wanting to go theclinical route before,
and since I am so close to the end
of my undergraduatecareer, and peers of mine
are actively already in themed school application process.
In navigating this decision,
I have been trying tocenter my interest, goals,
and really just what I wantto get out of my career.
(09:16):
Ultimately, for me, I know thatI want to focus on research
and it is a question
of whether I want to fit clinicalpractice in there as well.
- Deciding what youwant to do in the future
is definitely a big choice to make.
- Have there been momentsof doubt in your journey
toward medical school?
And how do you stay focused,
especially in such acompetitive environment?
- Yes, I've definitely had doubts
(09:36):
in my journey towards med school,
especially in my first year.
I strongly consideredcomputer science as a major
instead of biology.
I feel like with theenvironment that Stanford is in,
with Silicon Valley right next to us,
there's a bit of pressure.
It was through my shadowing
and clinical volunteering experiences
that I've realized thatI enjoy what I'm doing,
especially working andtalking with patients.
(09:58):
Sometimes I feel a little regretful
that I wasted my timeconsidering other pathways.
However, I feel like mytime doubting medicine
as a career choice for mewas actually very valuable
in the end because now itmakes me a lot more confident
that medicine is the path for me.
As for how I stay focused with medicine,
I think it's very importantto love what you're doing.
I talked to a med schoolstudent the other day,
(10:20):
and I asked him if he has any advice
on how he stays focused duringhis pathway towards medicine,
especially since it is avery long journey ahead.
He told me that his belief
is no matter how difficultthe med school journey is,
no matter how many years you're in school
or how late you haveto study into the night
or how difficult it might beto balance your academic work
with your personal life, in the end,
(10:42):
the patient has it the hardest,
and in the end we aretrying to become physicians
in order to help these patients.
This is the mindset I bring in
if I ever feel unfocusedor unsteady in my pathway.
And I tried to remind myself
that the patient has it the hardest,
and I want to be able tohelp out these people.
- That is a reallyimpactful frame of mind,
(11:03):
and one that really puts into perspective
what this is all for.
- You're in a similar boat.
The PhD pathway and research in general
is a very time consuming process
that you must commit to andcontinue to persevere for.
I was wondering if you have any advice
or thoughts on how to staymotivated and reassure yourself
that this is the pathway you want to take.
- I think similar to thepre-med and clinical route,
(11:25):
with research medicine,
you also need to really love what you do,
and sometimes you justneed to take a step back
and that is completely okay.
You don't need to feel insanelymotivated all the time,
but when you keep comingback to the path you're on,
that's how you know it is right for you.
And in those momentswhen motivation drops,
it is helpful to remind yourself
of why it is you are doing this,
(11:46):
whether that be to furtherknowledge for science's sake
or ultimately for the impactit will have on patients.
I think that is anothercommonality between the research
and clinical paths in medicine.
The patient is trulyat the center of each,
and I think when youknow that you have people
that you're fighting for,
that helps to provide a lotof motivation in what you do.
- I find it very inspiring
how you have been doing all this research
(12:08):
throughout your undergraduate career
and now you're even working onyour honor thesis statement,
which I think is super cool.
I was wondering if any of your educators
or research mentors have supported you
throughout your undergraduate journey
and especially throughoutyour research process.
- I've had the opportunity
to learn from many great educators,
and they really inspiredme each in their own ways,
(12:28):
from being incredible instructors
that make me excitedabout what I'm learning,
to being attentive mentors
that put a lot of care intogetting to know and support you.
I've had a lot of amazingmentors at my lab especially.
My PI, Dr. Knowles, she is an MD-PhD,
and she's a huge role model for me.
Seeing her balance work in the clinic,
heading her own lab, and raising a family
(12:49):
has shown me how muchof a powerhouse she is.
Other members of the lab
have also made a huge impactin my research journey.
My advisor, Dr. McNerney,has been a huge help
in figuring out what path I want to take
and my plan to get there.
Likewise, graduate studentshave been a great resource
in helping me to navigateall the little things
at this stage in my career,like applying to internships
(13:11):
and how to effectively network.
Altogether, these people haveall been really influential
in providing me the confidence
and know-how to pursue my goals.
Speaking of mentorshipand guidance, Lydia,
for students who know theywant to pursue med school
but are still early in their journey,
what's the most importantthing they should focus on
both academically and personally?
(13:32):
- Academics wise, it's important
to strengthen yourfoundation in the sciences
and always to be on thelookout for opportunities
to learn more aboutmedicine and the human body.
However, beyond this, I alsofeel like it's important
to delve deeper into otherfields that you enjoy,
even if they at first do not seem
like they have directrelatability with medicine.
(13:54):
There's a lot of intersection in medicine.
It's important to pursue not just science
and medical-related activities,but also live your life
and do the things that you want to do.
I'm a creative writer as well,
and my experience withwriting has been able
to enhance my ability tocommunicate with others,
which is a very importantskill in medicine as well.
(14:17):
As for personally, I would advise students
to figure out what yourmotivation for medicine is,
figuring out what your driving force is
and why you truly want tobecome a healthcare professional
in the future.
- I definitely resonate with your points,
especially about exploring other fields
and spaces outside of medicine.
I think that's one of the wonderful things
(14:38):
about an undergraduate career,
is that you don't haveto do just one thing
and specialize in medicine,
but rather you can havea lot of flexibility
and variability in your academics
and what you do outsideof your academics as well.
This actually strengthens your resolve
and your skills as a person
both inside and outside of medicine.
There's always ways thatyou can apply what you learn
(14:58):
outside of what is explicitlyscience and medicine
to medicine since it is suchan interdisciplinary field
and there's so many anglesfrom which you can tackle it.
I know someone who is aclassics major at pre-med
and the medical humanitiesis a really interesting
and growing field as well.
Medicine is so much morethan one discipline.
- I definitely agree.
In the end, we're not justgoing to be researchers
(15:21):
or medical professionals,but our own people as well,
and it's good to have hobbies.
- I feel like that can also help
prevent a bit of burnout too.
- Speaking of doingactivities that we enjoy,
do you have any advice
for someone who's juststarting out on research
or thinking about getting involved
in medical research as an undergraduate?
- The biggest advice I have
is that if you're at all interested in it,
(15:43):
I think you should go for it.
And in terms of getting startedin a lab, many professors,
PIs, are truly happy tobring on an undergraduate.
Sending that cold email can work wonders.
Alternatively, you can alsolook into research programs
that your school offers.
These can provide more structure
and support in finding a lab
and also during the research process.
When it comes to deciding whatyou want to get started in,
(16:05):
I recommend thinking backto classes you've taken
and what got you excited
or what you found super interesting.
Then you can start lookingat labs in that space
and going through differentlab websites at your campus
and seeing what types of things
people are researching specifically
and figuring out whatreally resonates with you,
whether that's a specific technique
that a certain lab is using,
a particular paper thatthey recently published,
(16:27):
or just generally the topic.
I think it's also reallyimportant to find a lab
where you feel comfortable
and that they want to help you grow,
because it is a learning process
and you want to feel supportedthrough that process.
And sometimes it might not bethe first lab that you're at.
Sometimes it takes a coupletries to find the lab
that is the right fit foryou, and that is okay,
or sometimes your researchinterests also evolve,
(16:48):
and that is also completely valid.
Don't be afraid to switch gears
or change labs within reason.
- I especially appreciate your advice
that the first try may notalways be the perfect fit.
I think it's good to keep in mind
that especially as students,
we are constantly tryingand failing and changing,
so thank you for that.
Looking ahead, what doyou think excites you most
(17:10):
about the future of research and medicine?
How do you see your role aspart of the next generation
of healthcare professionals?
- I think the most excitingpart of medicine to me
is that it's such aconstantly evolving field
and something that we lookback 10 years and we're like,
"Wow, we have discoveredso much since then,"
and yet we can also lookat it now and think,
"Wow, there's still somuch that we do not know."
(17:32):
There's just so many opportunities
and different directionsto explore in medicine.
And I think because there isso much constant innovation
and progress that the future of medicine
is limitless in a way interms of where we can go,
what problems we can solve,and how we can address them.
It's always really excitingto be at the forefront
and see what is going to bethe next big breakthrough
in medicine and research.
(17:52):
And then in terms of thesecond part of the question,
it's a really interestingquestion about how I see myself
as part of the next generationof healthcare professionals,
since at least on the path I am right now
of completing a PhD anddoing research in medicine,
I don't traditionally think of myself
as a healthcare professional.
However, as I've alluded toin this conversation before,
(18:13):
I do definitely think that therole of research in medicine
is very connected to healthcareand providing patient care.
And so in that sense,I suppose I see my role
in the next generation ofhealthcare professionals
as the role of somebody whois working behind the scenes
to kind of figure out what'sgoing on in the body and why,
and the findings that I am able to produce
help the cliniciansinterfacing with patients
(18:34):
to provide more competent care.
On that note, what would you say, Lydia,
are your hopes for the future of medicine?
And how do you think ourgeneration will shape the field?
- Our generation in particular values
across the disciplines integration.
I hope that our generation willbe able to take information
from the technology sector,
from English sectors, fromphilosophies, from mathematics,
(18:56):
all of these different fields,
and be able to apply ourvarious interests into medicine
in order to continuouslyevolve the field as well.
As for my hope for the future of medicine,
I truly hope that we can provide quality
and accessible healthcareto everyone who needs it,
regardless of their socioeconomic status,
their personal qualitiesor traits, et cetera.
(19:18):
In general, I hope that we canincrease patient-centric care
and create a generations ofphysicians who truly listen to
and support their patients.
- This episode was broughtto you by Stanford CME.
Check back for new episodes
by subscribing to "Stanford Medcast"
wherever you listen to podcasts.
(bright music)
(gentle music)
- Welcome to "Stanford Medcast,"
the podcast from Stanford CME
that brings you the latest insights
from the world's leadingphysicians and scientists.
If you're joining us for the first time,
be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcast,
Amazon Music, Spotify, or YouTube
(00:22):
to stay updated with our newest episodes.
I am your host, Dr. Ruth Adewuya.
In this episode, I amturning over the microphone
to our 2024 "Stanford Medcast" interns,
Mary-Tyler Mosley and Lydia Wang.
Mary-Tyler is a seniorat Stanford University
majoring in human biology
with a concentration inneurobiology and neuroscience
(00:43):
and minoring in symbolic systems.
Her deep fascination with the molecular
and cellular functions of the brain,
particularly in relationto neurological disorders,
drives her passion for future in research.
She's currently conductingcutting edge research
at the Knowles Lab for pediatric epilepsy
at Stanford Medicine,
(01:04):
where she's developing her honors thesis
on transcriptional changes
in oligodendrocyte precursor cells,
focusing on the phenomenonof maladaptive myelination.
Lydia Wang is a sophomoreat Stanford University
pursuing a double interest inbiology and creative writing.
She's a Research Assistant
of the StanfordPsychophysiology Laboratory
(01:26):
where she analyzes emotional responses
using behavioral, autonomic,and brain imaging methods.
Lydia's passion lies in understanding
how the human body works
and finding ways tofix it when it doesn't.
With a strong interest inmedicine, she's exploring
how she can contribute tothe field in the future.
- Thank you, Dr. Adewuya. I'm Lydia Wang.
(01:49):
- And I'm Mary-Tyler Mosley.
In this unique episodeof "Stanford Medcast,"
Lydia and I will take the lead
in an engaging peer-to-peer conversation,
bringing a fresh perspective
to the field of medicine and research.
- We will explore how diverseundergraduate experiences
can contribute to thebroader medical community
and offer insights for those considering
(02:09):
or already involved inresearch and healthcare.
Just to start things off,
could you please introduce yourself
and share a little about your background?
What's been your academic focus so far,
and how has your researchshaped your view of medicine?
- I am studying neurobiologyand neuroscience.
Most of the work that I'mdoing focuses on the molecular
and cellular mechanismsbehind neurological disorders.
(02:32):
Ultimately, I plan on completing a PhD
and continuing research in this area.
As a researcher concernedwith how molecular
and cellular workings build upto the larger scale functions
and dysfunctions of the body,
my approach usually involves looking
at how the body works from the inside out,
whereas I imagine cliniciansmight tend to think of medicine
(02:52):
as being on the outside looking in.
In this same vein, I viewresearch and medicine
as workhorse behind the scenes
working from the bottomup to support clinicians
in their direct interfacing with patients
by providing foundational knowledge
and developing therapeutics.
Lydia, I would love to hear a bit more
about your journey as well.
(03:13):
What drew you to the pre-med path,
and what are you most excited about
as you work toward becoming a physician?
- I've always been interestedin sciences in general.
Throughout high school,I took a lot of biology,
chemistry, physics courses,
and I realized I really lovelearning how things work
and especially how humans work.
It wasn't until I was hospitalizedto a medical condition
(03:34):
that I truly felt theimpact of the medical field
and understood its significance.
I want to give back in thesame way that I've been helped,
directly interact with patients,
alleviate their worries, andhelp them become the healthiest
and happiest version of themselves,
the same way my surgeonsand nurses supported me
throughout my hospitalization.
This is my main motivation
behind wanting to becomea physician in the future.
(03:57):
- That's very beautiful, andit sounds like this is a path
that you've been set on for a long time.
And so being on the pre-med track,
how has that shaped yourexperience as an undergraduate?
- Academically, as a pre-med student,
I do have to take alot of pre-med courses,
such as my sciences, anatomy,as well as other courses
(04:17):
that will solidify myfoundations and my knowledge
on becoming a medicalprofessional in the future.
However, it also made me value
a lot of human-focused experiences.
I've met so many interesting people
with unique life stories.
I feel like I'm continuouslyworking on my empathy,
communication skills,and cultural competence
while connecting with others.
(04:38):
I've been able to broaden my knowledge
on the various types of medical fields
that I could be involvedwith in the future.
This familiarity has opened myeyes to pathways I can pursue
and has taught me that the world
is so much more expansive than I know.
Turning back to your research-focused
undergraduate experience,
I was wondering if you could elaborate
on the research projectsyou've been involved in,
(05:00):
as well as how these experienceshave influenced your view
on the intersection betweenresearch and patient care.
- I have been truly privilegedto work on a variety
of different research projects,
with topic spanning therole of the LRRK2 gene
in Parkinson's disease,
the impact of maternal dieton offspring stroke outcome,
(05:20):
and currently, the transcriptional changes
that drive maladaptivemyelination in epilepsy.
I found them to each be very unique,
and I think that unexpected breadth
has also given me a greater appreciation
for the complexity of medicineand the different phenotypes
and set of trials that eachdisease or disorder brings.
(05:40):
I have additionally been fortunate
to connect my experiences in the lab
with patient interactions.
When I was working on theproject looking at Parkinson's,
I was also volunteeringin the clinic at that time
and getting to learn abouttheir experiences firsthand.
These are the moments thatreally help to humanize
the research that you're doing,
which can get a little lostsometimes when you're focusing
(06:02):
on the really nitty-grittycellular mechanisms,
as I often am.
Getting to explore medicineinside and outside of the lab
in this way has reallydriven home for me the idea
that regardless of what direction
you're approaching it from,
medicine is all about the patient.
Even science and researchhas a human reason behind it.
- I think that's really well said.
(06:24):
- Lydia, I'm curious, assomeone on the med school track,
how do you feel your research,
clinical experiences, and other activities
have complimented your clinical ambitions?
- The importance of research,clinical experiences,
and these other activities
is to gain exposure to the medical field.
Going through theseexperiences has made me realize
(06:45):
that I truly enjoy what I'm doing,
and I feel like everyonehas to have the passion
for healthcare in order to continue on
and be successful in it,
as well as to emotionallyconnect with their patients.
Otherwise, it is a long pathway.
The main value that I've gained
through my clinical experiences
is that I understand how tomake people feel comfortable.
(07:07):
I understand how to talk to patients,
how to tell when they're nervous
or when they're a little upsetor if they have a bad day.
Through this, I've learnedhow to react to them
in a way that makes themfeel secure and accepted.
- That is a great mindset to have,
incorporating the patient perspective
into your own actions as a provider
to really provide patient care,
not just in the medical sense,
(07:28):
but on a personal level as well.
This is simultaneously part
of what makes being a healthcareprovider so demanding.
For this reason, many consider medicine
to be more than a job but a lifestyle.
How then do you manage the demands
of preparing for a career in medicine
with all of your otherclasswork and all that you do?
- The main thing to dois be sure to plan ahead,
(07:50):
be sure to schedule out your events,
and ensure that you aretaking responsibility
for everything you must do,as well as managing your time
so that you're not procrastinating.
- I'd agree.
I'd say I pretty much live
by my Google Calendar and my planner.
Ideally, you have to keep on top of things
and not let them pile up, haveyour priorities sorted out,
and honestly just beready to put in some work.
(08:11):
- You definitely seem like youhave a pretty busy schedule.
I'm curious, now that you'reexploring both research
and potentially medicine,
I was wondering how do younavigate your uncertainty
while making career decisions,
and if you've ever feltunsure of your path,
how did you handle that?
- I've been set on studyingmolecular and neurobiology
since my freshman year of high school
(08:32):
and have been able tosustain that interest
throughout my undergraduate career.
I've likewise been firmon wanting to earn a PhD
and opting out of the pre-med path.
My main passion is for research,
and this has driven my decision.
Though, recently, I havebeen gaining interest
in the clinical side of things as well.
This is something that Ibegan considering recently
as I entered my senior year,
so it was coming a bit late in the game.
(08:54):
That was definitely abit unsettling for me
to suddenly have these doubts
as someone who had been so confident
in not wanting to go theclinical route before,
and since I am so close to the end
of my undergraduatecareer, and peers of mine
are actively already in themed school application process.
In navigating this decision,
I have been trying tocenter my interest, goals,
and really just what I wantto get out of my career.
(09:16):
Ultimately, for me, I know thatI want to focus on research
and it is a question
of whether I want to fit clinicalpractice in there as well.
- Deciding what youwant to do in the future
is definitely a big choice to make.
- Have there been momentsof doubt in your journey
toward medical school?
And how do you stay focused,
especially in such acompetitive environment?
- Yes, I've definitely had doubts
(09:36):
in my journey towards med school,
especially in my first year.
I strongly consideredcomputer science as a major
instead of biology.
I feel like with theenvironment that Stanford is in,
with Silicon Valley right next to us,
there's a bit of pressure.
It was through my shadowing
and clinical volunteering experiences
that I've realized thatI enjoy what I'm doing,
especially working andtalking with patients.
(09:58):
Sometimes I feel a little regretful
that I wasted my timeconsidering other pathways.
However, I feel like mytime doubting medicine
as a career choice for mewas actually very valuable
in the end because now itmakes me a lot more confident
that medicine is the path for me.
As for how I stay focused with medicine,
I think it's very importantto love what you're doing.
I talked to a med schoolstudent the other day,
(10:20):
and I asked him if he has any advice
on how he stays focused duringhis pathway towards medicine,
especially since it is avery long journey ahead.
He told me that his belief
is no matter how difficultthe med school journey is,
no matter how many years you're in school
or how late you haveto study into the night
or how difficult it might beto balance your academic work
with your personal life, in the end,
(10:42):
the patient has it the hardest,
and in the end we aretrying to become physicians
in order to help these patients.
This is the mindset I bring in
if I ever feel unfocusedor unsteady in my pathway.
And I tried to remind myself
that the patient has it the hardest,
and I want to be able tohelp out these people.
- That is a reallyimpactful frame of mind,
(11:03):
and one that really puts into perspective
what this is all for.
- You're in a similar boat.
The PhD pathway and research in general
is a very time consuming process
that you must commit to andcontinue to persevere for.
I was wondering if you have any advice
or thoughts on how to staymotivated and reassure yourself
that this is the pathway you want to take.
- I think similar to thepre-med and clinical route,
(11:25):
with research medicine,
you also need to really love what you do,
and sometimes you justneed to take a step back
and that is completely okay.
You don't need to feel insanelymotivated all the time,
but when you keep comingback to the path you're on,
that's how you know it is right for you.
And in those momentswhen motivation drops,
it is helpful to remind yourself
of why it is you are doing this,
(11:46):
whether that be to furtherknowledge for science's sake
or ultimately for the impactit will have on patients.
I think that is anothercommonality between the research
and clinical paths in medicine.
The patient is trulyat the center of each,
and I think when youknow that you have people
that you're fighting for,
that helps to provide a lotof motivation in what you do.
- I find it very inspiring
how you have been doing all this research
(12:08):
throughout your undergraduate career
and now you're even working onyour honor thesis statement,
which I think is super cool.
I was wondering if any of your educators
or research mentors have supported you
throughout your undergraduate journey
and especially throughoutyour research process.
- I've had the opportunity
to learn from many great educators,
and they really inspiredme each in their own ways,
(12:28):
from being incredible instructors
that make me excitedabout what I'm learning,
to being attentive mentors
that put a lot of care intogetting to know and support you.
I've had a lot of amazingmentors at my lab especially.
My PI, Dr. Knowles, she is an MD-PhD,
and she's a huge role model for me.
Seeing her balance work in the clinic,
heading her own lab, and raising a family
(12:49):
has shown me how muchof a powerhouse she is.
Other members of the lab
have also made a huge impactin my research journey.
My advisor, Dr. McNerney,has been a huge help
in figuring out what path I want to take
and my plan to get there.
Likewise, graduate studentshave been a great resource
in helping me to navigateall the little things
at this stage in my career,like applying to internships
(13:11):
and how to effectively network.
Altogether, these people haveall been really influential
in providing me the confidence
and know-how to pursue my goals.
Speaking of mentorshipand guidance, Lydia,
for students who know theywant to pursue med school
but are still early in their journey,
what's the most importantthing they should focus on
both academically and personally?
(13:32):
- Academics wise, it's important
to strengthen yourfoundation in the sciences
and always to be on thelookout for opportunities
to learn more aboutmedicine and the human body.
However, beyond this, I alsofeel like it's important
to delve deeper into otherfields that you enjoy,
even if they at first do not seem
like they have directrelatability with medicine.
(13:54):
There's a lot of intersection in medicine.
It's important to pursue not just science
and medical-related activities,but also live your life
and do the things that you want to do.
I'm a creative writer as well,
and my experience withwriting has been able
to enhance my ability tocommunicate with others,
which is a very importantskill in medicine as well.
(14:17):
As for personally, I would advise students
to figure out what yourmotivation for medicine is,
figuring out what your driving force is
and why you truly want tobecome a healthcare professional
in the future.
- I definitely resonate with your points,
especially about exploring other fields
and spaces outside of medicine.
I think that's one of the wonderful things
(14:38):
about an undergraduate career,
is that you don't haveto do just one thing
and specialize in medicine,
but rather you can havea lot of flexibility
and variability in your academics
and what you do outsideof your academics as well.
This actually strengthens your resolve
and your skills as a person
both inside and outside of medicine.
There's always ways thatyou can apply what you learn
(14:58):
outside of what is explicitlyscience and medicine
to medicine since it is suchan interdisciplinary field
and there's so many anglesfrom which you can tackle it.
I know someone who is aclassics major at pre-med
and the medical humanitiesis a really interesting
and growing field as well.
Medicine is so much morethan one discipline.
- I definitely agree.
In the end, we're not justgoing to be researchers
(15:21):
or medical professionals,but our own people as well,
and it's good to have hobbies.
- I feel like that can also help
prevent a bit of burnout too.
- Speaking of doingactivities that we enjoy,
do you have any advice
for someone who's juststarting out on research
or thinking about getting involved
in medical research as an undergraduate?
- The biggest advice I have
is that if you're at all interested in it,
(15:43):
I think you should go for it.
And in terms of getting startedin a lab, many professors,
PIs, are truly happy tobring on an undergraduate.
Sending that cold email can work wonders.
Alternatively, you can alsolook into research programs
that your school offers.
These can provide more structure
and support in finding a lab
and also during the research process.
When it comes to deciding whatyou want to get started in,
(16:05):
I recommend thinking backto classes you've taken
and what got you excited
or what you found super interesting.
Then you can start lookingat labs in that space
and going through differentlab websites at your campus
and seeing what types of things
people are researching specifically
and figuring out whatreally resonates with you,
whether that's a specific technique
that a certain lab is using,
a particular paper thatthey recently published,
(16:27):
or just generally the topic.
I think it's also reallyimportant to find a lab
where you feel comfortable
and that they want to help you grow,
because it is a learning process
and you want to feel supportedthrough that process.
And sometimes it might not bethe first lab that you're at.
Sometimes it takes a coupletries to find the lab
that is the right fit foryou, and that is okay,
or sometimes your researchinterests also evolve,
(16:48):
and that is also completely valid.
Don't be afraid to switch gears
or change labs within reason.
- I especially appreciate your advice
that the first try may notalways be the perfect fit.
I think it's good to keep in mind
that especially as students,
we are constantly tryingand failing and changing,
so thank you for that.
Looking ahead, what doyou think excites you most
(17:10):
about the future of research and medicine?
How do you see your role aspart of the next generation
of healthcare professionals?
- I think the most excitingpart of medicine to me
is that it's such aconstantly evolving field
and something that we lookback 10 years and we're like,
"Wow, we have discoveredso much since then,"
and yet we can also lookat it now and think,
"Wow, there's still somuch that we do not know."
(17:32):
There's just so many opportunities
and different directionsto explore in medicine.
And I think because there isso much constant innovation
and progress that the future of medicine
is limitless in a way interms of where we can go,
what problems we can solve,and how we can address them.
It's always really excitingto be at the forefront
and see what is going to bethe next big breakthrough
in medicine and research.
(17:52):
And then in terms of thesecond part of the question,
it's a really interestingquestion about how I see myself
as part of the next generationof healthcare professionals,
since at least on the path I am right now
of completing a PhD anddoing research in medicine,
I don't traditionally think of myself
as a healthcare professional.
However, as I've alluded toin this conversation before,
(18:13):
I do definitely think that therole of research in medicine
is very connected to healthcareand providing patient care.
And so in that sense,I suppose I see my role
in the next generation ofhealthcare professionals
as the role of somebody whois working behind the scenes
to kind of figure out what'sgoing on in the body and why,
and the findings that I am able to produce
help the cliniciansinterfacing with patients
(18:34):
to provide more competent care.
On that note, what would you say, Lydia,
are your hopes for the future of medicine?
And how do you think ourgeneration will shape the field?
- Our generation in particular values
across the disciplines integration.
I hope that our generation willbe able to take information
from the technology sector,
from English sectors, fromphilosophies, from mathematics,
(18:56):
all of these different fields,
and be able to apply ourvarious interests into medicine
in order to continuouslyevolve the field as well.
As for my hope for the future of medicine,
I truly hope that we can provide quality
and accessible healthcareto everyone who needs it,
regardless of their socioeconomic status,
their personal qualitiesor traits, et cetera.
(19:18):
In general, I hope that we canincrease patient-centric care
and create a generations ofphysicians who truly listen to
and support their patients.
- This episode was broughtto you by Stanford CME.
Check back for new episodes
by subscribing to "Stanford Medcast"
wherever you listen to podcasts.
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