Duke School Under the Oak Magazine, Fall 2017

CREATING...
PROBLEM SOLVERS
Since graduating from Duke School in 2013,
Hannah Wilkins has found her passion within
science. She is currently a freshman at the
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a
recipient of the Chancellor’s Science Scholarship.
The Chancellor’s Science Scholars Program
“seeks[s] to maximize student success by building
a community of learners who work collaboratively
to succeed academically and in research.” This
program will prepare her to move into PhD and
MD/PhD programs after graduation as well as
give her access to jobs in the fields of STEM.
At an early age Hannah’s learning difficulties
made it hard for her to do math and science.
With the help of Duke School and The Hill Center,
she learned how to embrace the material from
her classes and was encouraged to discover
and explore her interests. When she was in high
school, she traveled to South Africa to work with
children with HIV/AIDS. The devastation she
saw there made her want to become a pediatric
infectious disease specialist.
“I could not be where I am now without Duke
School. When I was first diagnosed with my learning
disorder, both my parents and I were worried how
far I would go in my academic career. However,
Duke School and all of its amazing faculty never
gave up on me and most importantly, they taught
me to never give up on myself. I have found that
a majority of my greatest strengths and passions
were first established and developed at Duke
School as a result of its extremely supportive
environment, a project-based curriculum, and a
common love for learning. “
Hannah’s application to the Chancellor’s Science
Scholars Program included an independent
research component. She looked at the effect of
toxicity on vibrio fischeri -bacteria that glow in the
dark, and bioluminescence and quorum sensing
- the way the bacteria glow. Hannah looked
specifically at the Hawaiian Bobtail Squid
and the way it communicates using different
intensities of bioluminescence. This research
gave her the competitive edge to be granted
the scholarship. Not only will she have a chance
to continue this research, but she’ll also connect
with other like-minded individuals seeking a
profession in the medical field.
“It is because of Duke School’s unceasing devotion
to my academics, despite the obstacles that I have
faced as well as to me as an individual, that I have
excelled in the International
Baccalaureate Program,
became a Chancellor’s
Science Scholar at
The University of
North Carolina at
Chapel Hill, and
will pursue both a
MD and a PhD in
the future.”
Hannah Wilkins
Duke School Alumna
UNDER THE OAK
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