Duke Vertices

Our Fall 2025 issue of Vertices is now published!

This issue brings together four compelling undergraduate research projects that span molecular biology, cognitive science, marine physiology, and health policy. Across vastly different systems and scales, the articles in this issue share a common goal: to understand how complex biological and social processes shape development, cognition, health, and access to care.

Thank you to the amazing researchers, faculty, editors, and the entire Vertices team for your dedication and support.

Check out all four articles through the link in bio!

What if humans could find a way to reverse aging?

Philosophers and scientists have been asking this question for centuries. With advances in science and medicine, this once magical idea is becoming closer to reality. In her debut article, Lara charts the history of research on the aging cell and how future studies may capitalize on epigenetic modifications to reverse the aging process.

All these questions and more at the link in bio!

📸: Courtesy of Goldberg et al.

A team of German scientists has turned discarded carrot byproducts into a surprisingly tasty vegan meat alternative by feeding them to fast-growing fungi. The resulting mycelium is rich in protein, low in fat, and scored well in taste tests. In her latest piece, Ashleigh highlights how this new research offers a glimpse at how circular food systems could reshape the future of sustainable eating.

Get informed! Link in Bio!!
📸 courtesy: Juhrich et al.2025

Stressed about midterms? Looking to reconnect with the Vertices community?

Join us this Sunday for some legos and tea to forget about your lab report & remember why we love science!

Uterine fibroids affect 70-80% of women by age 50, and their cause is still poorly understood.

In her debut article, Naomi sits down with Dr. Tricia Markusent to find out why fibrosis is so understudied, and breaks down a new study published by Dr. Erika Moore at the University of Maryland that changes how researchers are able to model fibrosis in the lab.

Get informed! Link in bio!

📸: Courtesy of Moore Lab

Check it out! NCSSM student journalists & Vertices editors have been hard at work composing 10 articles highlighting the work of Duke researchers.

Read their stories, click the link in bio!

Virtually all pharmaceuticals go through clinical trials. But what if the trial’s participants don’t adequately capture the diversity of real-world patients? In her latest piece, Ainsley explores the emergence of digital twins in clinical trials as a potential solution to ethical and diversity concerns in healthcare.

Click the link in bio to discover more.

📸: Courtesy of StatNews.

Stanford neuroscientist Robert Sapolsky contends that free will is a myth–that every action we take is the only one that could occur.

In his debut article, Harrison sits down with Duke researchers Dr. Nicole Schramm-Sapyta and Dr. Minna Ng to consider what the free will debate means for education, addiction research, and the nature of human connection.

📸: Courtesy of NewScientist.

Ant reproductive biology is more complex than researchers once thought. In her latest article, Alessandra explores how M. ibericus ants produce two unique ant species.

Click the link in bio to learn more!

📸: Courtesy of CNN.

Is an MD-PhD worth it? Many students wonder if this dual doctorate is worth the extra years.

In his latest article, Gage weighs the pros and cons of pursuing a career as a physician scientist.

Check the link in bio to learn more!

📸: Courtesy of Blueprint.

What happens when generative AI trains itself? Synthetic data is now being used to train AI models, allowing researchers to bypass privacy concerns. However, accuracy is still a concern. In his latest piece, Arjun explains the implications of synthetic data and potential solutions. Click the link in our bio to learn more!!
📸: Courtesy of Adobe Stock.

Do you have questions like:

“What is optogenetics & how does it work?”

Well, click the link in bio to read Raechel Wu’s fascinating article!