In this episode of Duke GradCast, join Forever Duke Student Leadership Award winners Brian Cole, Emily Green, Francesca Magario, and Mercedes Muñoz as they discuss how the role of leading in the community during their time in graduate school.

Join a conversation with 2026 Centennial Distinguished Alum Stacey Adam (Ph.D. '07, Pharmacology), Vice President in Science Partnerships at the Foundation for the National Institute of Health. Dr. Adam played a pivotal role in the ACTIV Initiative during the COVID-19 pandemic, which harmonized the many clinical trials underway in the race to find a vaccine.

Dr. Adam received her PhD in Pharmacology with a Mammalian Toxicology certificate from Duke University in 2007.

In this episode, Dr. Adam is joined by her former Ph.D. advisor and mentor Christopher Counter, Professor of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Assistant Professor in Radiation Oncology, and Professor of Cell Biology. After two decades of following Dr. Adam’s career, Dr. Counter nominated her for the distinguished alum award.

In their conversation, Drs. Adam and Counter share stories of their work together at Duke, discuss the importance of team science, consider the impact of public support on academic research, and suggest what to do when science doesn't have all the answers.

Join three of the 2026 Dean's Awards for Excellence in Mentoring winners; Jean-Philippe Gibert, Brandon Knettel, and Caroline Shearer; as they attempt to demystify what good mentoring actually entails.

The episode is hosted by Assistant Vice Provost for Faculty Advancement Maria Wisdom, and Senior Assistant Dean of Professional Development Melissa Bostrom.