Marco Davila
MD-PhD candidate, Immunology
Marco has always been destined for science. “One of my earliest experiments was to determine if a cape made Superman fly,” recalls the Texas native. “I can now confi- dently eliminate the possibility that a cape in any form or fashion allowed Superman to fly. I also proved another theory, namely, that the bigger things are, the harder they fall.” Since that moment, Marco has striven to maintain a level of academic excellence in the sciences. While in high school he entered the International Baccalaureate program and graduated at the top of his class. Afterwards, he attended Texas Christian University where he, in his own words, “began to blossom.” Marco explains how the words of one of his undergraduate professors inspired his commitment to disciplined study. “I remember my first class, freshman biology. That was the class where the professor announced that two out of three students in the class would eventually drop out. I ran home, started studying, and just never stopped.”
As an undergraduate double major in biology and chemistry, Marco excelled in science and actively sought research opportunities. In Professor Durward Smith’s laboratory, he researched the effects of fish on the eutrophication of lakes. Soon he joined another lab where he investigated the protein interactions of the blood protein, alpha-actinin. During his summers, he participated in the Baylor-Rice Honors Premedical Academy in Houston, Texas. There he interned at a thoracic surgery ward gaining an introduction to the world of medicine. He also participated in the Summer Honors Undergraduate Research Program (SHURP) at Harvard Medical School. “Those experiences just reinforced my desire to work in biomedical research,” says Marco. “My ultimate goal was to become a physician-scientist where I could both treat and investigate just one disease.”
While at Duke University pursuing his MD-Ph.D., Marco has finally discovered the exact disease he wants to concentrate on throughout his career. “Oncology fascinates me both as a clinical and basic science. I entered the department of immunology with the intent of studying cancer. I wanted a perspective of cancer that most cancer researchers do not have.” In an effort to accomplish his goals, Marco is now focusing his research on the development of leukemias and lymphomas. In the future, he hopes to complement his basic science training with clinical training in hematologyoncology.
Despite the push to focus on his future, Marco is quick to point out how happy and content he is being a graduate student. “My experiences as a graduate student in immunology have been overwhelmingly positive,” states Marco. While Marco is quick to praise the quality of the coursework offered by his department, he stresses that faculty accessibility is the department’s most outstanding feature. “I feel the best characteristic of this department is how all the faculty doors are open to students. I can discuss issues pertaining to my work with experts in various fields of immunology at any time. I honestly feel that my effort in training is being matched by the faculty.” Marco is now at the point where he is beginning to enjoy the fruits of his labor. At this early stage in his career, he has had the opportunity to present his research at two international conferences, one in Mexico City, the other in Switzerland.
Marco claims his decision to enter the Medical Scientist Training Program at Duke was a rather easy one. “Duke offered a combination of academic excellence in medicine and research that had few equals. I was also extremely happy to return to a community I call my second home — North Carolina.” In fact, Marco has played an active volunteer role in the community of the Triangle. He helped coordinate the first annual Feria de Salud (Health Fair) at the annual Fiesta del Pueblo in Chapel Hill, and has consistently volunteered in organizations such as the AIDS Community Residence Association House in Durham.
Marco values his role as a member of the Duke community. “I enjoy being part of a diverse campus where I can attend talks given by speakers such as Manning Marable on racial policy or Gustavo Gutierrez on the role of the Catholic Church in Latin America. More importantly, however, I personally believe my voice is heard by the administration, although I am just one student of many. For instance, I have presented proposals for funding of various community service projects and recruitment programs and have never been denied support.” Given the administration’s support, Marco welcomes the opportunity to recruit for the graduate school, medical school, and even the undergraduate school. “I sincerely believe Duke is an excellent environment for any student,” says Marco.
This fall, Marco will attend the Federation of European Biochemical Societies International Conference in Pelopponese Island, Greece. At the conference he will present a poster entitled: “Does the V(D)J Recombinase Mediate Chromosomed Translocations?”
Although Marco has many reasons to be happy with his decision to attend Duke, the most important reason is romantic. “If I had never attended Duke,” Marco says fondly, “I would have missed the opportunity to meet my fiancée.”
(This profile originally appeared in the Fall 2000 issue of The GRIND.)