Not Yet Doctors Robert Aguilar & Gaby Flores

In the second half of episode 2, Not Yet Doctors head to Edinburgh and recount an incredible foreign elective experience in adult critical care. We also drop tips on how to apply for your own electives—research or clinical—in top institutions.

But as we dissect the differences in healthcare and research here and abroad, we find ourselves touching on the scarcity of opportunities in the Philippines, the scientific diaspora it triggers, and the guilt that often comes with it. Tune in to know more!

On part one of episode two, we talk about Robert’s research internship—studying insulin/IGF signaling pathway and its role in hepatic steatosis—under the Amgen Scholars Program as well as other research opportunities abroad. In the process, we touch a bit on the all-too familiar impostor syndrome that Filipino doctors and scientists alike grapple with, how we dealt with it, and the many moments that made us say... #SanaAll and, truth be told, #DapatAll

In our pilot episode, we discuss the fields of medicine and research and how we chose one over the other. We tackle INTARMED, curriculums, career options: from pathologists to postdocs, the KLF9 gene, laboratory life, clerkship rotations, and dozing off in surgery.

Disclaimer: our views and opinions do not reflect that of our institutions. Take everything we say with a grain of salt 'cause we’re... Not Yet Doctors!

(0:28) Introduction

(1:25) College applications

(6:13) INTARMED and medical school curriculum

(15:45) Licensure and career options

(18:55) Residency

(21:12) Molecular Biology and Biotechnology: what is it?

(28:44) Thesis, research, and postgrad plans

(40:30) PhDs, ‘permadocs’, and career options

(48:27) Gaby’s research in medical school

(52:56) Clinical rotations and medical internship

(1:04:09) What are the values and characteristics important to be a scientist?

(1:07:20) What are the values and characteristics important to be a medical student?