Alumni Spotlight

Justin Rudd is a second year MD-PhD student at Creighton University. Justin became interested in combined MD-PhD degree programs after an internship at the Earle Chiles Research Institute during his sophomore year at UP. Through this experience he was able to work closely with physician-scientists, and was excited about the unique opportunity they had to help push novel cancer therapies from the lab into the clinic. His current research is focused on the development and progression of pre-cancerous lesions in the skin.


1. What is the best part of your current position?

I would say the best part about my current/future position is that I get the experiences of both a clinician and a basic scientist. I've always wanted to have a direct impact on patients in the clinic, but there's also a part of me that enjoys the analytical and investigative aspects of work in the lab. To know I have a career ahead of me that will encompass both of those things is very exciting.

2. How did your time at UP help you with your career path? 

My time at UP was really where my interest in basic science developed. I didn't realize it at the time, but it is unique to have a research experience as an undergrad where you get to work alongside professors who are so invested in helping you develop as a scientist. At bigger schools, undergrads are passed off to postdocs or graduate students who are not nearly as willing to invest time in them. My research advisor, Dr. K, not only taught me a lot but made working in the lab an enjoyable experience, something I will always be grateful for!

After finishing M1, I also realized how well the UP curriculum prepared me for medical school courses. I never felt that a lack of background knowledge made courses harder than they should have been, and I know that's something that kids often struggle with the first year.

The pre-med advisors at UP were a huge help during my junior and senior years as the MCAT and then applications came up. There were a lot of big decisions to be made during that time--when to take the test, where to apply, what to include in my personal statement, etc. Having an advisor to talk to that I trusted and who knew me well, certainly gave me some confidence when making those decisions.


3. What are your favorite memories of UP?

It's tough to pick just one. I made a lot of good friends and good memories at UP. A few of us made a road trip down to Bandon, Oregon for a weekend my senior year and played golf at Bandon Dunes. It was a very poor monetary decision for a college student, but I would do it again in a heartbeat!

4. What advice would you give aspiring pre-health types?

I would say that its important to keep an open mind as an undergraduate pre-health student. It's easy to become focused on one single health profession that you forget how many options there are out there. I actually didn't know that MD-PhD programs existed until the summer after my sophomore year! You never know what's going to peak your interest, so expose yourself to as many things as possible before you really start to narrow your focus.