Meet the Student:
Maya Learmonth
Hometown:
Austin, Texas
Graduate Track:
Clinical and Translational Science
Mayo Clinic in Florida
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Passionate about helping people
I was inspired to pursue a Ph.D. during a post-baccalaureate gap year, when I had my first introduction to a "real" research lab setting. It was eye-opening to interact with people who were making real contributions in the world of science and healthcare. My passion centers around the millions of people who can be helped for generations to come from one small discovery at the bench.
My network feels like a community
I was drawn to Mayo Clinic because of its supportive environment. The large network of clinicians, researchers, and students feels like a community away from home.
"Besides the amazing people, my experience has also been great because of the opportunities I have received, allowing me to present my work, meet collaborators, and travel to amazing places."
One of the special things about being at Mayo is being able to interact with patients. My Ph.D. thesis topic is focused on developing therapeutic interventions for diabetic kidney disease (DKD), which affects millions of people worldwide and is the leading cause of kidney failure. The ability to work towards a cure for DKD, while simultaneously interacting with the very people my research has the potential to help, is very motivating to me as a growing scientist. I am also incredibly inspired by my mentor LaTonya Hickson, M.D., and her dedication to treating kidney disease not only in the clinic, but to finding a cure in the lab. The opportunity to work on our research, while keeping patients’ needs first, is something that sets Mayo Clinic apart.
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A great city for extracurriculars
Jacksonville is a great city for activities outside of graduate school. The beach makes a great escape from the lab on sunny days, and there’s always someplace with live music and good food. I also love getting coffee and fresh produce at the many farmers' markets, as well as catching the Jaguars play in football season! My advice for students who are considering a Ph.D. is to make sure you have a strong motivation for pursuing research, whether it's love of academia, a desire to advance patient care, or even a passion for discovering answers. The Ph.D. is a challenging experience, but having core values to lean on will help push you through the hard times.