Maggie Markgraf graduated from IMS in 2013 and went on to Berkshire School, then Northeastern University, where she earned a B.S. in Cellular and Molecular Biology. Today she is a fourth-year medical student at SUNY Upstate Medical University’s Norton College of Medicine in Syracuse.

This year, Maggie was invited to the International Congress of Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders in South Korea to present her medical research related to the disease. We caught up with Maggie about the trip, her work, and her years at IMS.

You’re heading to South Korea to present your research. How did that come about?

Research is a big part of medical education, and this project actually began during the two gap years I took after Northeastern. I was working in the neurology department at Mount Sinai, in movement disorders. While at Upstate, I was able to connect with a neuro-radiology attending who was interested in sponsoring student research. My background in movement disorders research gave me a great jumping off point to develop a project of my own that was a meaningful convergence of the two specialties (neurology and radiology).

My work looks at people with REM sleep behavior disorder, and whether a brain scan can predict which of those patients will go on to develop Parkinson’s. No one fully understands what causes the disease, or why some people get it and others don’t. So, the bigger goal is finding better ways to identify who is at risk.

 

What is your goal once you attain your medical degree?  

I’ve always known I wanted to be in medicine, and I appreciate research and want it to be part of my career. But I see myself in clinical practice, and my plan is ophthalmology. What I love is the idea of positively contributing to people’s lives and helping them feel better in the present moment.  

 

How did your time at IMS shape your career path?

Of course, my mom [Ms. Clayton] was an influence, being a science teacher at IMS, so she planted the seed early. But thankfully I never had a class with her — I don’t think middle school me could have handled it! 

I had Ms. Sprague for ninth-grade bio, and that was where it really clicked. I remember thinking, “This is something where I can really nerd out and get into the material more than in other subjects.” That feeling just continued, and it made sense for me to work toward becoming a doctor.

The highlight of my time at IMS was feeling so connected to my teachers. They were invested in my success, and I felt very supported.

 

What’s your favorite non-academic memory from IMS?

Mountain Day, definitely. I remember it fondly. Also, Swim team with coach Hodosy. Oh, and Mr. McGlone’s ukulele elective was one of my favorite extracurriculars.

 

Do you have any advice for current IMS students?

Whatever your age, push yourself and take initiative on the things that interest you, no matter how difficult they seem. Sometimes it only takes one small piece of information to change the way something is framed for you. Now is the time to try hobbies and discover what you’re interested in, because it can guide your path in a lot of ways. For me, leaning into science early made a difference. 

One last thing: the teachers who push you the most are the ones you learn the most from. That’s been true throughout my whole education.

If you are an alum interested in sharing your story, or  would like to plan a visit back to the Mountain for any reason, please contact our Alumni Office.