Graduate Profile: Gurbani Jolly
Gurbani Jolly
M.S. in Tumor Biology
About Gurbani
I will be pursuing my M.D. at Virginia Commonwealth University this fall.
Why did you choose the M.S. in Tumor Biology program at Georgetown?
I have been interested in tumor biology since my experience with the Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center High School Summer Research Volunteer Program. Having such a positive experience with my mentor previously encouraged me to further my knowledge and skills in this field at Georgetown. With renowned faculty conducting research and teaching courses at Georgetown, the opportunity to learn from these individuals seemed intriguing. Additionally, with my interest in medicine, I was excited to learn about the research process behind clinical care at Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center.
What experiences in the master’s program were the most valuable or interesting to you?
The Cancer Research Techniques course was one of my favorite aspects of the curriculum. Being able to participate in hands-on research and present my work at two research events was incredibly exciting as I truly felt like I was part of the research team and it gave me the confidence to share my findings with others. I had the opportunity to present my research project at the Department of Medicine Research Week 2022. It was a challenging but exciting experience for me to present my findings to other faculty and students. Not only did I have a great learning experience, I was also awarded second place for my poster presentation.
How do you use what you learned at Georgetown in your current position, professional outlook and/or career choices?
The M.S. in Tumor Biology program gives you a great biological foundation for the etiology and progression of cancer, which will be incredibly helpful during my preclinical medical courses. Additionally, the hands-on research experience has made me interested in pursuing oncology or clinical research in the future.
What advice would you give to current or prospective students interested in your career path?
I would highly suggest talking to your professors, mentors or research team about your career goals! Everyone at Georgetown has been extremely supportive and helpful with guidance, opportunities outside of the curriculum, or just someone to talk to. If you are interested in a specific research topic, reach out to individuals who are in that field to see if they have opportunities; they more than likely will be able to help you out personally or connect you with individuals who can. My mentors went above and beyond to help me understand biological mechanisms, learn technical fundamentals, and give me career guidance.