Devon Collins
Outside of science, Devon enjoys running and baking. Besides for that, he can be found on his sofa, watching Neflix while his pets fight for lap space.
Editor’s Note: This post is being republished as an updated version of a previous SCIONY post from 2016.
Devon Collins, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Biology at Bard High School Early College. Devon completed his graduate degree and post-doctoral training at The Rockefeller University where he specialized in Neuroscience research.
Devon grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana. In contrast to New York City, Devon shares that that it’s quite a bit smaller and “a whole lot sleepier”. However, much like NYC, there’s great food, art and music, which Devon claims makes the city “feel a lot like Manhattan or Brooklyn, except everything closes earlier.”
What’s your favorite thing about being a scientist? Did you always want to be a scientist?
“It’s pretty hokey and sentimental, my favorite thing about being a scientist is getting to act in the service of humanity. . . I actually did always want to be a scientist. I always pretended to be a scientist working in a lab, curing diseases or building technologies that would save the world from some huge problem. I was a huge Star Trek nerd growing up, and despite the hilariously bad TV technobabble, I always liked how Gene Roddenberry and co. recognized science as being a huge part of human advancement. That really resonated with me.”
. . . it’s pretty amazing knowing that my work contributes in some way to solving humans’ problems.
Can you think of a specific time when you found science or pursuing science challenging?
“Haha, every day? There aren’t a lot of other black faces in academic science, so it can feel pretty lonely sometimes, but I have a great group of scientist friends who are mad supportive and just amazing people.”
If you could give one piece of advice to young scientists or students, what would it be?
“Don’t let impostor syndrome get you down. You made it and you’re good enough. Whenever it hits, ask yourself, “who told you you’re not good enough? Who told you you don’t belong here?” I mean, if you get caught up in comparing yourself to this person or that, how are you ever gonna find yourself, am I right?”
Have you ever made something explode or otherwise wildly go wrong in lab?
“Explode, no. But that would be pretty metal. One time, though, I did accidentally freeze something that shouldn’t have been frozen. It didn’t lead to any major consequences, so it’s a pretty boring story.”
If you hadn’t pursued science, what would you have done instead?
“I probably would have been an English teacher.”
Why did you decide to come to NYC?
“I came here for grad school. I was choosing between UChicago and Rockefeller University. I had lived in Chicago for several years already and wanted a change, so I picked Rockefeller. I thought it’d be exciting to have a change in location and get out of the Midwest for even just a few years.”
What is the funniest/strangest thing you have seen in NYC?
“Honestly, I still get creeped out by those Times Square Elmos.”
Do you plan to stay in NYC?
“I think so. I’ve already done one cross-country move, and I’m kind of loathe to do another. Plus, New York has gotten its claws in me. It’s ridiculous, but now I find it hard imagining living anywhere else.”
If you were a lab animal/model organism, which would you be and why?
“Zebrafish. I feel like it’d be cool to be optically transparent.”
If the building was burning, what single item would you grab as you ran out the door and why?
“Eh… nothing in lab is that crucial. But at home, I’d grab my cat (my dog would just follow me).”