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- About APS
Luke Schwerdtfeger
Colorado State University
Luke Schwerdtfeger, PhD, received a BS in biological sciences and PhD in biomedical sciences from Colorado State University. His research focuses on the languages used by the gut nervous system to communicate with the gut barrier, the wall that separates people from the outside world and its infectious bacteria.
APS Porter Physiology Development Fellowship is one of the Society’s flagship award programs, highlighting scientific excellence in researchers from underrepresented backgrounds. We asked our Porter Fellows to tell us about their research, the impact of the Fellowship and their advice to other underrepresented scientists. Here, Luke Schwerdtfeger, one of our esteemed Porter Fellows, shares more about his research, background and words of wisdom.
I come from a “split” family when it comes to science. My father was raised by parents who were teachers, and he received a PhD in material science. My mother comes from a family where there has not been a scientist ever before me. These contrasts made for an interesting upbringing, but it allowed me to see both sides of life as a scientist and as a non-scientist.
My father is a material scientist who always seemed to have a project going in the garage. This led me to enjoy tinkering at an early age and got me interested in science. I have always been a curious person, something that I feel served to drive me towards scientific investigation.
Do it! Life is full of challenges, people who doubt you, don’t support you and even put you down. I have always found that I achieved more personal fulfillment and joy from doing what my heart felt was right and exciting than what others said I could or could not do. There is no easy path to science, especially for young people from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds. I encourage you to study well, work hard on things that interest you and give you energy and follow what feels like the right path.