In the forty-first episode of Vitals and Voices, we sit down with Allison Makovec, a first-year MD/PhD student at the University of Kansas School of Medicine whose journey bridges medicine, research, and public health. Originally from Minneapolis, Allison spent the past several years at the University of Minnesota, where she immersed herself in cancer genetics research from a clinical perspective and began shaping her path toward becoming a physician-scientist.

Allison’s interest in medicine didn’t come from a single defining moment, but rather from a growing fascination with complex biological systems and mechanistic problem-solving. While studying anthropology as an undergraduate, she began exploring health disparities in her local community, focusing on the Twin Cities’ Somali refugee population. Through literature review and community interviews, she identified high rates of cervical cancer linked to low screening participation, driven in part by language barriers and cultural taboos.

To address this gap, Allison developed a mock website offering virtual clinic tours narrated in Somali, designed to reduce healthcare-related anxiety and increase transparency. After piloting the project and collaborating with Somali student groups, healthcare professionals, and artists, feedback revealed the platform’s strong potential to improve trust in the healthcare system and increase screening rates. This experience solidified Allison’s belief that education, transparency, and accessibility are essential to patient empowerment.

Motivated by this realization, Allison pursued cancer research with a translational lens—working to ensure that scientific discoveries are not only meaningful, but understandable and actionable for both clinicians and patients. Her current work spans cancer genetics, public health research through the Department of Biostatistics at the University of Kansas, and continued collaboration with research teams at the University of Minnesota. She is also exploring the intersection of genomics, predictive modeling, and healthcare outcomes, including work with a university-based startup focused on improving prostate cancer risk stratification using patient genetics.

Allison’s commitment to oncology deepened through shadowing experiences, where she witnessed both the power and limitations of modern cancer care. Observing patients face late-stage disease with limited options reinforced her belief that research and clinical care must advance together. Until cancer patients can be offered lasting hope, she believes the work is unfinished.

One project Allison is especially proud of is her multi-year investigation of the gene CREB5 in breast cancer. Leading the project over three years, she discovered its role in altering cancer cell behavior and identified IL13RA2 as a potential therapeutic target—opening new conversations around treatment for aggressive breast cancers. The project earned grant funding, national conference presentations, and strengthened her skills in experimental design, leadership, and resilience.

Allison’s story highlights the power of curiosity, community engagement, and translational research—and the impact physician-scientists can have in shaping a future where innovation and patient care move forward together.