Image
Students
The Motivational MD
Bryan Volpe ŮٱƵ20 is a biology major with an eye for detail and a mind for the medical field. His interest in Pace started early; he went the extra mile and sat in on a few biology classes on the Pleasantville Campus when he was still in high school. But it was the size of those classes that struck him: there were no more than 30 students per professor. ŮٱƵThat kind of collegiate atmosphere is a rarity in universities throughout [the US], specifically in the scientific community. Many biology and chemistry students [...] often feel like just another number in their major due to the sheer volume of students,ŮٱƵ Volpe told us. ŮٱƵI believed in PaceŮٱƵs capacity to provide me with the mentorship and direction that I needed to grow as an individual.ŮٱƵ
Taking advantage of those very mentoring opportunities early on, Volpe began conducting groundbreaking research with Dyson Assistant Professor of Biology Aaron Steiner, PhD, who heŮٱƵs been involved with for over two years now. Along with Leslie Sanchez ŮٱƵ18, the three have been studying regeneration of hair cells in zebrafish. They hope to be able to apply positive findings to better understand how hair cell regeneration can potentially work in the human body. ŮٱƵIŮٱƵve always been compelled by the desire to disentangle the underpinnings of biological phenomena; driven by the chance to connect molecular dots,ŮٱƵ Volpe explained.
ŮٱƵThis great mystery and the chance to solve it is what draws me back to the lab every single week,ŮٱƵ he continued. ŮٱƵThereŮٱƵs no place IŮٱƵd rather beŮٱƵenergy pulses through my veins like electricity through a power line when IŮٱƵm in [the] lab conducting confocal imaging of interneuromast cells.ŮٱƵ This past July, their group presented at the national conference in Boston for the Society of Developmental Biology.
Of his numerous positions at a variety of work placements over the years, Volpe has also completed a staggering 561 hours of intensive clinical shadowing at The Valley Hospital of Ridgewood, NJ, where he was accepted into their physician shadowing program. ŮٱƵI specifically functioned as a pre-medical student where I was extensively instructed and taught by powerful physicians. Their wise teachings and my time with them not only bolstered my foundational knowledge base, but also provided me with direction,ŮٱƵ Volpe explained.
All throughout his time at the hospital, he diligently carried a notebook everywhere with him. When people asked why, he answered with just one word. ŮٱƵEffort,ŮٱƵ Volpe said. ŮٱƵTo me, effort exists within all of us. No one can give us effortŮٱƵit can only emanate from the decisions that we make pertaining to decisive action.ŮٱƵ He filled each of those notebooks with annotations regarding his observations with each physician. ItŮٱƵs that kind of dedication that exemplifies the work ethic Volpe so clearly has.
There is, perhaps, no better example of this than a story he shared with us about his mentor at the hospital. Previously, the long-standing record was 15 patients transported in seven hours. They shattered that record by transporting 18. ŮٱƵWe kept up that pace for the next three weeks, and individuals throughout the hospital began to notice us. I was cognizant of the fact that when coupled with hard work, modest tasks can give birth to extraordinary opportunities,ŮٱƵ Volpe said, and he was right. ŮٱƵI was invited to shadow an RN in the cardiac unit, [and] she eventually pulled some strings to get me into the coronary catheterization lab.ŮٱƵ He got to witness a patientŮٱƵs heart being savedŮٱƵand his mind was blown. ŮٱƵSince that moment, there hasnŮٱƵt been an hour that has passed where I havenŮٱƵt thought about going to medical school or getting my MD.ŮٱƵ
Volpe has called his journey a ŮٱƵmetamorphosisŮٱƵ over years of dedication and effort. We look forward to hearing about more of his many accomplishments in the futureŮٱƵand the patients he will inevitably save.
More from Pace
Students
The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at ŮٱƵŮٱƵs Black Law Students Association Mock Trial Advocacy Team finished strong in the prestigious 57th Annual Constance Baker Motley Mock Trial Competition. After months of dedicated preparation, the team traveled to Atlanta, Georgia for the Competition, ultimately placing fourth in the nation based on preliminary scores, which propelled them to the competition's quarterfinals where the team finished in the top eight among over twenty competing schools.
Pace Magazine
As mental health becomes a global priority, expanding initiatives like mental health first aid can create lasting change across communities worldwide. Here's how weŮٱƵre making it happen right here at Pace.
Students
Introducing Lauren Pizzella, recent graduate of the Health Science, BS program. Lauren is now a current student in the Master of Science in Health Informatics program where she has earned a full-time position at Westchester Medical Center, following her fieldwork experience at the same location. We connected with Laurent to get her insight into both programs and learn about the opportunities fieldwork can unlock!