by Mimi Jenness
This week's Student Spotlight featured Margarita Krylova, a rising junior majoring in Neuroscience with minors in Russian and Chemistry. Originally from Kakhovka, Ukraine, Krylova immigrated to the US in 2018 due to political instability and has since called Orlando, Florida, her home. This has provided Krylova with a unique global perspective, which she has applied to her academic and community pursuits.
Choosing a major is a pivotal decision for any student. Krylova considered several options including Biology, Chemistry, and Economics, but ultimately chose Neuroscience for its blend of intellectual challenge and real-world medical applications. Her fascination with neurosurgery and the profound impact of neuroscience on understanding pathologies and disorders solidified her decision. For Krylova, studying Neuroscience is not just an academic choice but a dedicated commitment to a subject that resonates with her aspirations and intellectual interests.
Another factor that drew Krylova to Neuroscience is its medical applicability. To further explore the field, Krylova is actively engaged in research projects within the Duke Neurosurgery Department. Currently, she is involved in two research projects: one being basic science and the other ––clinical. Under the mentorship of Dr. Hauck, Krylova is conducting clinical research focused on "Spontaneous and Traumatic Intraorbital Arteriovenous Fistulas (AVFs)". AVFs are abnormal vascular connections between orbital arteries and veins. Intraorbital AVFs are a rare AVF type with under 30 reported cases worldwide since the 1980s.
Her basic research is conducted in the Waitkus Lab, located within The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, is focused on glioblastoma tumors (GBM). As part of this project, she completed her first independent study titled "Targeting DNA Replication Stress in Glioblastoma Cells that Utilize the Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres Mechanism," with the results presented at Harvard University’s National Collegiate Research Conference (NCRC) in January 2024. This summer, she continues her research on GBMs in the Waitkus Lab through the Summer Neuroscience Program (SNP), an eight-week program enabling undergraduates to advance their senior theses by working closely with faculty mentors.
Krylova discovered SNP while exploring opportunities to continue her research at Duke over the summer. The SNP program not only allows her to explore deeper into research but also provides insights into research as a career, research ethics, and networking through weekly workshops and guest speakers. For Krylova, SNP has been transformative, enhancing her academic and professional trajectory by fostering a deeper engagement with research and offering insights into the broader scientific community.
Community building is also crucial to Krylova, leading her to actively participate in various student organizations focused on healthcare and academic enrichment both within and outside Duke University. On campus, she is engaged in Duke Presidential Ambassadors as a new member coordinator, serves as vice-president of TedxDuke, and chairs the medical resources committee at the American Medical Women's Association. Additionally, she mentors high school researchers and teaches in an elementary afterschool program at FEMMES+. These are just a few examples of the community work that Krylova is a part of.
Outside academia, Krylova finds balance through mindfulness and yoga. She enjoys running, indulges in diverse literature ranging from psychology to Russian classics, and nurtures a passion for travel. These activities not only enrich her worldview but also contribute to her personal growth alongside her academic pursuits. Krylova has found her Duke experiences extremely enriching and fulfilling. She is looking forward to employing all this knowledge and these skills toward her journey to becoming a medical doctor.