John Campbell, Jr.

Name: John Campbell, Jr. (Student of the M.S. Biomedical Science Policy & Advocacy from Fall 2015 to Spring 2016)

Program of Study at Georgetown University: MS in Biomedical Science Policy and Advocacy

Tell us about yourself! What is your academic/professional background and what led you to pursue graduate school in your field?:
I majored in Molecular and Structural Biochemistry as an undergraduate at North Carolina State University. Grasping the opportunity to build upon and apply my laboratory training toward cutting-edge medical research at the National Institutes of Health, I went on to spend four years as a full-time NIH Cancer Research Training Award fellow in Dr. Dinah Singer’s molecular immunology laboratory, studying transcriptional regulation of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I gene expression, a key component in balancing immune surveillance and autoreactivity. For a long time, I thought that I would move on to a PhD program to become a scientist. But, after realizing I was more interested in the societal applications of science than in conducting bench research, I developed an interest in the mechanisms that deliver the products of such research to society. In particular, I am concerned with societal obstacles that may impede the translation of scientific research into medical solutions.

How did you hear about us and why did you decide to study at Georgetown University?:
After researching possible graduate education opportunities, it was the Georgetown MS in Biomedical Science Policy and Advocacy that provided an ideal bridge between the realms of science and public policy; I have the opportunity to explore the legal and social environments of contemporary bioscience research and to develop insights into its strengths and deficiencies. What’s more, the program piqued my interest in bigger questions about how to enable the translation of research discoveries into medical care and how to ensure that scientific research addresses societal concerns.

What advice would you give prospective students who are looking to apply to your program?:
Pursuing the MS in Biomedical Science Policy and Advocacy here at Georgetown was the perfect way for me to turn my focus toward the policies that dictate people’s access to health. I’m someone who finds tremendous value in looking at the world from many different angles, and I have always been extremely fascinated by the intersection of science and society. This program provides the academic framework to apply that interest professionally, as well as to explore a diverse array of subjects such as regulation in the emerging bio-economy, advances in genome science, and the rapidly evolving role of the physician-scientist. While enrolled in this program, my hope is to build a deeper understanding of how new technologies in both medicine and science shape the world around us. I plan on applying to medical school upon completion of the masters program, and I intend to use my experience to ensure the ethical use and propagation of developing medical technologies.

So, if you’re passionately curious and interested in the intersection of science and policy, I urge you to consider this program as the next step in your educational and professional trajectory. Georgetown’s MS in Biomedical Science Policy and Advocacy will equip you with invaluable competencies that have merit in the policy, legal, and medical fields.