ASPIRING FAMILY PHYSICIAN
Darren Sanders plans to open a medical clinic to help the underserved
East Carolina University senior biology major Darren Sanders aspires to become a family medical doctor and help the underserved populations of North Carolina.
Originally from Charlotte, Sanders said his family influenced his decision to make ECU his academic home.
“My mother went to school here, so I grew up hearing about how great ECU is,” Sanders said. “I also fell in love with the sense of pride and camaraderie exuded by everyone in Pirate Nation, and I wanted to be a part of it.”
Darren Sanders uses the confocal microscope in the lab. (Contributed photos)
Sanders’ major concentration is in cell and molecular biology, and over the years he has performed independent and faculty-led research in the lab. He also has contributed to the knowledge of his peers through mentoring and tutoring.
“Over the past year, I had the opportunity to participate in an independent study course overseen by my research mentor, Dr. Timothy Erickson,” Sanders said. “During this course, I have had the chance to learn about and perform many amazing experimental techniques, including getting to create mutants using CRISPR-cas9. I was allowed the freedom to think critically and to design experiments to answer questions and solve problems.”
In addition to performing research, Sanders said he was “able to contribute new knowledge to the world through sharing my findings at research conferences and through publications. This is something I never would have imagined myself doing growing up, and it has done a lot for my self-confidence.”
He also raised his confidence level while mentoring and tutoring his peers. Beginning in 2019, Sanders has served as an undergraduate research assistant and an undergraduate teaching assistant in biology. Since 2018, he has participated in academic mentoring and tutoring in biology and physics at the Pirate Academic Success Center.
In addition to the knowledge Sanders gained through coursework, research and tutoring, he gained real-world skills outside the classroom. He participated in the Brody School of Medicine’s Primary Care Physician Shadowing Program in 2018, and earlier this year, he presented his research during ECU’s Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Week.
Sanders in the Zebrafish room.
Sanders has been recognized for his successes at ECU in a number of ways. He is a member of the chancellor’s list and the Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences dean’s list. In addition, he has received an undergraduate mini award and was the recipient of an ALANA Honor Award, which recognizes the works and achievements of students of color given by ECU’s Ledonia Wright Cultural Center.
Although Sanders is dedicated to his studies and helping others, one of his favorites experiences as a student was his first Barefoot on the Mall.
“I had so much fun eating food, vibing to music and hanging out with my friends,” Sanders said. “It was definitely a unique experience. It’s awesome that ECU does things like this for its students.”
When he graduates, Sanders wants to begin helping others in the field of medicine and health care.
“Immediately following graduation, I hope to participate in the MedServe fellowship, which would allow me to aid medically underserved communities of North Carolina while gaining invaluable exposure to the primary care practice,” Sanders said.
“Ultimately, my goal is to attend medical school. I would like to practice family medicine and hope to one day open a clinic in a medically underserved area of my hometown of Charlotte.”