Devils and Details

Suzanne Wardell is made for freedom. As an assistant research professor in pharmacology and cancer biology, she discovered that a drug designed to relieve post-menopausal symptoms could help cure breast cancer. Today, Suzanne credits Duke for providing freedom for her research that is changing women’s health and beyond.

Bill Pan is made for resilience. As a research scientist and professor at Duke's Nicholas School of the Environment, he has to be. Hear Pan’s story of how drastic cuts to research funding brought him back to the story of his parents’ marriage.

Brandon Garrett, Duke professor of law, has seen the criminal justice system up close by representing defendants who were later exonerated and becoming a scholar of wrongful convictions cases. What is the justice system of our future? One in which technology used for good leads to fairness like never before.

Heather Whitson is made for purpose.

Heather Whitson’s life purpose came into focus when her love of science was linked to helping her grandmother confront Alzheimer’s Disease. Through her work at Duke, Dr. Whitson has found that Alzheimer's and dementia are diseases of aging that can be prevented decades before initial symptoms set in.

Ronnie Chatterji is made for innovation.

The chief economist of OpenAI and professor of business and public policy at Duke, Chatterji says that technology of our present and future has the power to humanize us and grow our relationships stronger than ever.

Victoria Pinedo is made for community.

As a first-generation college student at Duke, Pinedo ’22 says building authentic community takes both courage and using one’s voice. Her secret to successfully navigating a world of firsts? The community she built around her at Duke.

Kate Bowler is made for hope.

After being diagnosed with Stage IV cancer at 35, Bowler began re-examining much of what she thought she knew about life, loss and joy. Now in remission, she explains what she has learned about how authentic hope can exist in the midst of life’s greatest uncertainties.

Every year at Duke ends with a celebration of LDOC – Last Day of Classes – with music, parties, and celebrations. And each year a group of student tour guides graduates, giving their final tours around campus. Devils & Details goes along to look into these last things.

DukeMag writer Corbie Hill spoke with the noted sportswriter, who died March 13, for our Fall 2024 issue. Here are excerpts from that interview.

In this episode of Devils and Details senior writer Scott Huler visits a program that brings dogs into Perkins Library, has a conversation about grievance with professor and best-selling author Frank Bruni, and considers what it means when your institution outlasts its trees.