SHU Junior Merges History and Medicine

Health science student Matt Dworkowitz explores the birth of chemotherapy while preparing for medical school

Key Highlights

• ^{Sacred Heart University junior Matt Dworkowitz combines health science, chemistry and American history in his pre-med journey}
• ^{Conducting hands-on lab work at Yale University School of Medicine’s Perry Lab in the physiology department}
• ^{Completing an independent study on the origins of chemotherapy at Yale during World War II, mentored by professor Kelly Marino}
• ^{Connects medical innovation and historical context to explore how breakthroughs emerge}

Sacred Heart University junior Matt Dworkowitz is blending his passion for history and medicine in a unique way that sets him apart as he prepares for a career in health care.

A health science major with minors in chemistry and American history and a member of the honors program, Dworkowitz is on the pre-med track and plans to take the MCAT in May. Over the summer, he interned in the Perry Lab at Yale University School of Medicine’s physiology department, where he continues to work this fall with principal investigator Rachel Perry, associate professor at Yale’s School of Medicine.

In Perry’s lab, researchers study exercise physiology, tumor metabolism and immunometabolism. Dworkowitz works closely with MD-Ph.D. candidate Andin Fosam, assisting with a project that examines blood flow restrictive exercise (BFRE), a technique that improves muscle size and strength comparable to high-intensity resistance exercise. The research explores how this method can help those recovering from injuries, post-surgically or with limited mobility to improve muscle quality and function without the joint stress caused by traditional training. The ultimate goal of the project is to understand how BFRE works molecularly and metabolically, which is currently unknown.

Dworkowitz has gained extensive hands-on experience assisting with animal handling, record keeping, data analysis and surgical procedures. The study involves bi-lateral ACL reconstructive surgery on rats, which are then rehabilitated using the blood flow restrictive exercise method. Dworkowitz helps perform surgeries, collect tissue and blood samples, isolate plasma and conduct post-exercise experiments. He also participates in lab meetings, presenting data summaries and explaining research findings.

“The opportunity to work in a lab like Yale’s has been incredible,” Dworkowitz said. “It has given me a new perspective and shown me how much collaboration and innovation go into medical research.”

“I’ve always loved history,” said Dworkowitz. “I wanted to find a way to connect it to my medical interests.” That idea inspired his independent study this semester with Kelly Marino, SHU history professor, where he is researching the birth of chemotherapy. The project focuses on chemotherapy’s origins at Yale during World War II. Dworkowitz is conducting background research, compiling sources and developing a rough draft of his findings. He hopes his research will lead to a publication by the end of the semester.

“It’s still in the early stages,” Dworkowitz said. “My goal is to ultimately publish my research and show how scientific breakthroughs can be understood through both a historical and medical lens.”

Dworkowitz said building relationships with professors and getting involved on campus has been key to his success. Outside the classroom, he stays active on campus as a member of Sacred Heart’s club hockey team, as well as co-president of pre-health community honors and a member of the pre-med club. Away from the University, Dworkowitz is an active volunteer with the Arnold P. Gold Foundation.

“Getting involved is so important,” said Dworkowitz. “And building strong relationships and connections with your professors opens many doors. I owe a lot to my professors, health science and history department faculty, because they’ve advocated for me every step of the way.”

In addition to his directed study with Marino, Dworkowitz is completing a capstone project with health science professor Tricia Lewis that explores the pathways between historic racial segregation and modern-day health outcomes in Connecticut. “Matt is an exemplary student,” Lewis said. “He approached me with this project idea to explore the historical roots of modern-day health inequalities between Bridgeport and Fairfield. It is a very timely project given the renewed interest in the historic redlining maps in the area.”

With his interdisciplinary approach and growing research experience, Dworkowitz hopes to stand out among medical school applicants and continue combining science and history in his future studies.