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The CSC Eagle Newspaper – Chadron, NE
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The CSC Eagle Newspaper – Chadron, NE
Lifestyles

Nisha Durand – International Dreams

Hannah Clark
Nisha Durand, senior Biology major from Salisbury, Dominica, manipulates lab equipment in an environmentally-shielded container Tuesday afternoon in the Math and Science Building.
Nisha Durand, senior Biology major from Salisbury, Dominica, manipulates lab equipment in an environmentally-shielded container Tuesday afternoon in the Math and Science Building.

“It is no exaggeration to state that Mayo Graduate School is unique.” Said L. James Maher, Ph.D., and dean of Mayo Graduate School.

This Fall, Maher will receive another unique student to match his school, this time from the reserves of Chadron State.

Nisha Durand, senior majoring in human biology and minoring in chemistry, was recently accepted into Mayo Graduate School’s Biochemistry and Molecular Biology program, with an emphasis in cancer biology. Mayo is renowned for its competitive and comprehensive degree programs.

Durand’s academic journey began in Dominica, an island in the Caribbean where she was born. After attending high school in Dominica, Durand immigrated to the U.S. to further her education. According to Durand, the island’s education system is similar to the United States’, but with a higher focus on the central subjects.

“American systems are more holistic, with art and music. Back home, more emphasis is on the core.” said Durand, but qualified that she didn’t believe this emphasis gave her any edge above U.S. students.

The most difficult part of journey, Durand said that after the first semester she consistently took 20 credit-semester, along with copious club involvement.

One a more positive note, Durand said, “Attending Chadron gave me the basis for getting into Mayo. The faculty were very helpful.”

Durand is heading to Mayo’s main campus –  in Rochester, Minn. – in July. She anticipates finishing the program in five years, slightly below the average completion time. Mayo has three lab locations in Minn., Flo., and Ariz., and Durand is unsure yet which she will choose to work at. Wherever the location, Durand asserts that her passion for science has propelled her this far, and has always propelled her to discovery.

“I’ve always had a curious mind, ever since I was small. When I came here I started doing lab work and really enjoyed it” said Durand.

When asked about her future beyond graduate school, Durand said she didn’t know.

“I’m aiming to finish the program in five years,” Durand said. “Afterwards, who knows. I might go to medical school.”

It should be noted that Mayo Medical School has the lowest acceptance rate in the country, at 2.2%. Mayo Graduate School is unique, it’s true, but it’s also a highly competitive. Durand’s first step out of Chadron is large, but only befitting for the independent, international woman behind it.