Hey! My name is Lydia Goff. I am a first-year at Duke and plan to double major in English and biology in order to pursue a career in science writing. I was born in Waukesha, Wisconsin but raised primarily in the Charlotte area. My junior year of high school I transitioned from homeschool to Gaston Day School where I developed my interest in scientific research. Neither of my parents attended college so my primary teachers were books. Homeschooling instilled my love of reading which grew into an interest in writing, but it also limited my resources.
I had no exposure to scientific research until my junior year at Gaston Day when I became involved in the International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) team. We worked on genetically engineering E. coli K12 so that it would die if accidentally released into the environment through a process called a kill switch. Particularly in developing countries with restricted supplies, improper disposal of genetically engineered bacteria can lead to water supply contamination. Working with my team and amazing faculty mentor showed me not only how interesting scientific research is, but also the global benefits.
Lydia Goff in front of Baldwin Auditorium.
In iGEM, I ended up taking the lead in communications. Many of my teammates could understand and perform scientific procedures with a remarkable skill but struggled to communicate their ideas. I love being able to discuss the passions of others. These interactions allow me to continuously learn and to help others express themselves. Until that leadership role in iGEM, I was unsure about a major. I enjoyed writing and reading but also the STEM world. My interests bounced from calculus to creative writing to genetic engineering to art history. As I got older and the “What do you want to major in?” question became increasingly relevant, the idea of choosing one subject to focus on was painful. I did not want to stop learning about genetic engineering and neuroscience and astronomy in order to become a writer. For me, science writing and this blog represent the opportunity to never stop learning. They allow me to bounce around from lecture to laboratory and meet experts in a variety of fields, to discover the inspirations and implications of their research, and to express their ideas and discoveries to any curious person.
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