Evan Harel (Duke, Oxford, AIV '08)

" After finishing my Master's in coursework at the University of Oxford, I was still unsure about what topic I would like to research for my thesis. I had a general idea of what I was interested in, but still was on the lookout for a program that could help identify my primary research motivations and interests, while at the same time acting as a transition stage between Masters student life and being a researcher.
There are many students just like me, some who might not even be sure they would like to pursue research, and to these people I would strongly recommend the AIV M2 program. It introduces in a class and internship setting what it is like to analyze current scientific journal articles instead of textbooks, to ponder new methods for research instead of just understanding old ones, and focuses on the dissemination of broad spectrum scientific information rather than the traditional one-way teacher to student learning.

AIV encourages students to find their scientific niche, and in doing so, share their journey with their classmates and bring as many of them along as are willing to join. I feel very privileged to have been given the opportunity to participate in this program, and feel that every student considering a career in research should have the opportunity to take an M2 like the AIV program.