Do a Double Take — James Wang

TTUHSC students succeed in earning dual degrees

• By Suzanna Cisneros
• May 25, 2016

Today, becoming a health care professional requires being multidimensional and an intense dedication to serving others. A growing number of students are taking that dedication to another level by completing dual degrees.

 

As a high school student, James C. Wang attended the Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science (TAMS) at the University of North Texas, a unique residential program for high school students with a strong interest in math and science. During his high school years, he was exposed to scientific research early on and interned during his summers at Macrogenics, a startup biotechnology company. By the time he completed high school, Wang graduated with honors and 72 hours of college credit.

 

He attended the University of Rochester in upstate New York graduating with a major in biomedical engineering with distinction and minors in biology and chemical engineering in three years. During this time, he was a first violinist in both the University of Rochester Symphony and Chamber Orchestras while taking violin lessons at Eastman School of Music. Afterwards, Wang worked as a research engineer in Houston for four years at a company called Nanospectra Biosciences, Inc. The company developed a particle-based therapy for the selective and precise thermal destruction of solid tumors while minimizing damage to healthy adjacent tissue and preserving critical structures. Wang assisted in the development of these gold nanoparticles for the treatment of head and neck cancers and also was appointed as a visiting scientist at MD Anderson Cancer Center.

 

“From that experience, I participated in translational research which opened my eyes to pursue a career as a physician scientist,” Wang said. “My goal and desire was to practice medicine, educate future generations of physicians, health professionals and scientists and to conduct research because that is how you advance medicine.”

 

While in Houston, music continued to play a large role in Wang’s life and he was a violinist in a non-profit charity organization, the Texas Medical Center Orchestra. In addition, he served as a piano and violin instructor, teaching over 13 students while working his job as a research engineer.

 

In 2008, Wang applied for and was accepted as one of two students to the M.D./Ph.D. program at TTUHSC. He and Connor Hall were selected. Early on, Wang made the decision to pursue a career in otolaryngology – head and neck surgery. After shadowing Joehassin Cordero, M.D., he had the opportunity to work closely with Abdul Hamood, Ph.D., in otolaryngology research.

 

One of the focuses of the research was the use of selenium-coated ear tubes to prevent bacterial biofilm in children with chronic ear infections and how to improve ear tubes.

 

“Tubes can get blocked up with biofilm and the interactions between the bacteria in the biofilm affect the pathogenesis in the ear,” Wang said. “We found that by using selenium-coated ear tubes, we could inhibit bacterial biofilm formation by several common ear microbes.”

 

In Wang’s second year of medical school, he founded and served as president of the TTUHSC Otolaryngology Club. During the summers between his first two years of medical school, Wang was fortunate to have been under the tutelage of Michael J. Cunningham, M.D., at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary and Children’s Hospital Boston. These experiences afforded Wang the opportunity to interact with many faculty, fellows, residents and other medical students in a structured otolaryngology residency program. Cunningham continued to be a mentor from abroad over the years and his insight and expertise has been invaluable to Wang’s pursuit of a career in otolaryngology. 

 

During his tenure in the TTUHSC M.D./ Ph.D. program, Wang continued to be involved in music playing piano, violin and guitar for the TTUHSC band, Complete Response, led by Patrick Reynolds, M.D./ Ph.D. In addition, he was one of the founding members of the TTUHSC MusiCare, a music appreciation student organization, which raises funds for various charities.

Wang states that music is a creative outlet for him. Wang learned through music that he can accomplish great things with passion and perseverance and contributed to confirming surgery.

 

After successfully defending his dissertation in 2014, Wang was appointed as Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery. In addition, he assisted in writing institutional review board protocols and grants, conducting research and drafting manuscripts. He served in this position while finishing the last two years of medical school.

 

Recently, Wang matched at the University of Cincinnati, one of the nation’s top otolaryngology residency training programs. After five years of residency, Wang says he hopes to complete a fellowship in pediatric otolaryngology or facial plastic and reconstructive surgery. Upon completion, he would like to obtain a position at an academic institution as a physician scientist to care for patients in the clinic, to operate, to educate residents and medical students and to conduct basic science and clinical research.

 

His seven years at TTUHSC has provided him with an invaluable experience and education.

 

“I am extremely impressed with the TTUHSC professionalism and their friendliness,” Wang said. “My faculty from early on told me if I had an idea I could take it anywhere. I have been able to publish in not only basic sciences but also clinical research and shadow surgeons since my first year of medical school. TTUHSC helped solidify early on that I was destined to become a physician scientist in the field of otolaryngology. I am forever grateful of TTUHSC’s generosity.”