
The Motivational MD

Bryan Volpe vlogƵ20 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. vlogƵThat 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,vlogƵ Volpe told us. vlogƵI believed in PacevlogƵs capacity to provide me with the mentorship and direction that I needed to grow as an individual.vlogƵ

Taking advantage of those very mentoring opportunities early on, Volpe began conducting groundbreaking research with Dyson Assistant Professor of Biology Aaron Steiner, PhD, who hevlogƵs been involved with for over two years now. Along with Leslie Sanchez vlogƵ18, 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. vlogƵIvlogƵve always been compelled by the desire to disentangle the underpinnings of biological phenomena; driven by the chance to connect molecular dots,vlogƵ Volpe explained.
vlogƵThis great mystery and the chance to solve it is what draws me back to the lab every single week,vlogƵ he continued. vlogƵTherevlogƵs no place IvlogƵd rather bevlogƵenergy pulses through my veins like electricity through a power line when IvlogƵm in [the] lab conducting confocal imaging of interneuromast cells.vlogƵ 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. vlogƵI 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,vlogƵ 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. vlogƵEffort,vlogƵ Volpe said. vlogƵTo me, effort exists within all of us. No one can give us effortvlogƵit can only emanate from the decisions that we make pertaining to decisive action.vlogƵ He filled each of those notebooks with annotations regarding his observations with each physician. ItvlogƵs 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. vlogƵWe 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,vlogƵ Volpe said, and he was right. vlogƵI was invited to shadow an RN in the cardiac unit, [and] she eventually pulled some strings to get me into the coronary catheterization lab.vlogƵ He got to witness a patientvlogƵs heart being savedvlogƵand his mind was blown. vlogƵSince that moment, there hasnvlogƵt been an hour that has passed where I havenvlogƵt thought about going to medical school or getting my MD.vlogƵ
Volpe has called his journey a vlogƵmetamorphosisvlogƵ over years of dedication and effort. We look forward to hearing about more of his many accomplishments in the futurevlogƵand the patients he will inevitably save.