Fred Hutchinson, a state-of-the-art research center dedicated to the elimination of cancer and related diseases, is viewed as one of the world’s most prestigious institutions within the realm of medicine. At first, when I received an email of acceptance into Fred Hutch’s Explorer’s Program, I was hit with a feeling of intimidation. To be invited to such a reputable establishment immediately prompted questions such as, was this a fluke? Will I fit in? It was only until I actually walked through the front doors of Thomas Building that the feeling of intimidation dissipated. The eager and smiling faces of fellow high schoolers and undergraduates brought reassurance and cemented the fact that we all belong at Fred Hutch due to our shared passion for science!
Furthermore, throughout the two weeks at Fred Hutch, we were exposed to the interesting lives of numerous doctors, scientists, and researchers as they took the time to meet us and answer our burning questions. In particular, a guest speaker whose experiences stuck with me was Dr. Raabya Rossenkhan. Dr. Rossenkhan is a virologist with significant expertise in HIV and her journey from being born in Botswana, to collaborating with the Botswana Harvard AIDS Initiative Partnership, and finally, moving west to work for Fred Hutch’s biostatistics and bioinformatics division was inspiring. Dr. Rossenkhan highlighted the ups and downs of her career and how her perseverance and flexibility molded her into who she is today. Being a person of color, her experiences resonated with me as I have found myself in similar situations such as being the only “different” person in predominantly white settings.
Portrait of Dr. Rossenkahn
Lukman & Dr. Fauci Lukman & Dr. Correy
Another memorable moment during my time at Fred Hutch was a surprise conference with Fred Hutch’s own former president and internationally renowned expert in virology, Dr. Larry Correy. On top of that, Dr. Correy was accompanied by his close friend and Chief Medical Advisor to the President of the United States, Dr. Anthony Fauci. Both doctors are recognized as key figures in the battle against HIV and contributed immensely to the field of virology. I’ll admit their presence was exciting and surreal, however, what I was left with was not only a few photos for the history books but also a clear understanding of their unwavering dedication to the occupation they cherish.