Jacob Spinner, B.S. 2008

Assistant Professor of Medicine, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY

2008 Major: Biology, and Spanish and Latin American Studies

How has being a graduate from Duke's Romance Studies Department helped shape you personally and/or professionally?

"Being a Spanish major helped me develop a broad base in critical thinking and understanding others' perspectives. Having gone into healthcare I'm thankful for not just linguistic fluency and cultural competency with my Spanish speaking patients but the ability to approach people from an array of backgrounds with more openness and understanding. The undergraduate focus on contemporary ethnic and racial identity is also relevant on a daily basis for the conversations we're having nationally on race."

What advice would you give students in Duke's Romance Studies programs?

"For students in any field - follow your interests and passions. Take a wide array of classes whether they're relevant to your planned career goals or not. Study abroad! I did the Duke/OTS program in Costa Rica and it was one of the most formative experiences of my life at the time."

Jacob Spinner