Diana Carolina Sierra Correa
2021
Medellin, Colombia
Academic Interests: Neuroscience and Italian Studies, and Chemistry minor
As a product of two cultures, I grew up understanding that there is more to the world than what I am exposed to. As a result, I have dedicated my educational and professional career to understanding how people think and how their social and physical environment shapes their wellbeing. I am particularly interested in understanding ways to improve nutrition and food security in underserved communities, which I have begun to do as a volunteer for Repurpose IT, an NGO that provides educational resources related to nutrition for indigenous communities in Colombia. I hope to earn an M.D. in an area related to internal medicine or endocrinology to continue to explore this area of interest as a physician. My passion for exploring global cultures has also led me to pursue my degree in Italian Studies, which has allowed me to study the Italian language and culture both at Duke and abroad in Italy. I have been able to continue to explore and share this passion by being a student coordinator at the Language Lab on Duke’s campus. I hope to merge my two academic interests by exploring the social aspects of diet and their relation to heath in Italy through an independent study beginning this upcoming Fall. During my free time, I enjoy cooking, hiking, yoga and playing guitar.
I am very interested in studying Neuroscience because I am fascinated by the complexity of human cognition and how it influences our everyday behavior. I am also very passionate about learning new languages and have been able to explore a new culture through my Italian Studies. I believe both of these areas provide different perspectives into the understanding of and communicating with different people which I hope to bring in my professional life. After college I hope to attend medical school and specialize in a field related to cardiology or occupational medicine. I believe that in both of these fields there is the opportunity to help underprivileged communities both locally and on a larger scale through medicine. I have been inspired both by the volunteer work that I have done as an EMT and my interest in learning about the behavior of individuals. In my free time I enjoy practicing yoga, playing guitar and exploring Durham!
“As a Cardea Fellow, I feel the support that is so crucial to navigate the premedical path both on an educational level from my professor and advisers, but also from the other fellows who have become some of my closest friends. The Cardea Fellows has introduced me to a network of advisors and students that have helped me navigate the pre-health journey at Duke and encourage me to be better both academically and personally. My college experience would not be the same without them! ”