Missouri State University

Skip to content Skip to navigation
a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Alumni News

A blog for Missouri State University alumni.

  • Alumni Association
  • Resources
  • Update Info
  • Volunteer
  • Homecoming
  • Contact Us
You are here: Home / Alumnus Julien Duxin searches for answers to fight diseases
Julien Duxin

Alumnus Julien Duxin searches for answers to fight diseases

Every morning Julien Duxin, ’04, wakes up curious, trying to find the answer to a scientific question — an answer that could help prevent diseases such as cancer.

February 25, 2013 by Alyson Epperson

Share:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

The 2004 Missouri State graduate is currently a post-doctoral fellow in The Walter Lab at Harvard Medical School, which is named for his supervisor, Dr. Johannes Walter.

The question he is trying to answer is related to the mechanism of replication-coupled repair of specific DNA lesions.

Didn’t catch that, exactly? Here’s his explanation:

“Before cells divide they need to successfully replicate their DNA so the genetic information can be transmitted from one cell to the other. Errors that occur during this process can be detrimental and can induce a variety of diseases, including cancer.”

Duxin said his work is so interesting it sometimes feels like he’s “playing.”

“It’s like keeping the inner child entertained every day. Although very exciting at times, it can be extremely frustrating because frequently the answer I come up with is negative or inconclusive,” Duxin said. “However, the simple thought of finding the answer one day is enough to keep me going every morning with the same excitement.”

Duxin, who lives in Boston with his wife, Maria Fernanda Fierro, started his chemistry career at Missouri State. He says the department gave him a positive experience, and constant support from the faculty pushed him forward.

However, academics weren’t the only thing that brought him to MSU. He came from Montevideo, Uruguay, on a scholarship to play golf for the Bears: “The USA is one of the few countries in the world where you can compete in a sport while getting a college education.”

After completing his bachelor’s degree, he was accepted into two respected biochemistry programs: Washington University and Harvard Medical School.

Duxin has a love of travel, and — after completing his doctorate degree and getting married — he took six months off to travel in Asia and South America before starting his post-doc program.

“After completing my post-doctorate at Harvard, I wish to stay in academia and run my own laboratory where I will apply the knowledge I’ve acquired over the years. I intend to stay in the field of genomic stability to understand the basic mechanisms by which cells faithfully transmit our genetic information.”

So diseases, take note: Julien Duxin wakes up thinking about how to beat you. His dedication could lead to a healthier world for all of us.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: 2013, Alumni Spotlight, Bears, college of natural and applied sciences, Golf, Spring. January

Share:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

Related

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Categories

  • Alumni Spotlight
  • Athletics
  • Events
  • Faculty News
  • Feature
  • Features
  • Headlines
  • News
  • Onward Upward
  • Student Highlights
  • Uncategorized

Connect with Alumni Association

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn

Make your Missouri statementMake your Missouri statement
  • Last Modified: June 13, 2017
  • Accessibility
  • Disclaimer
  • Disclosures
  • Equal Opportunity Employer and Institution
  • © 2025 Board of Governors, Missouri State University
  • Contact Information
  • Healthcare MRFs