Lester Watch, MD

Lester Watch, MD
Residency Program - PGY2

Program: 

Residency Program

Start Year: 

2022

Why did you choose Duke for your residency training?

Duke was one of my first residency interviews and very few programs came even close to offering everything Duke could. From the family vibes amongst the residents and alumni, to the diversity of the trainees, faculty and patient population, to the positivity of the interviewers, I was impressed from the beginning. Not to mention, Duke is home to so many talented, intelligent physicians and researchers that I could not turn down an opportunity to learn from, be mentored by, and trained by some of the best in Ob/Gyn. As a first-generation college graduate, it was important that Duke offered so much mentorship and career guidance, which is vital to being successful in medicine.

What excites you about the residency program at Duke Ob/Gyn?

Duke offers amazing training in so many aspects of Ob/Gyn that I know I will be well supported and well trained for whatever direction I choose for my career. The high acuity patients, complexity of the cases, and high volume will ensure I receive exactly what I need to become a well-rounded, skilled physician. My amazing co-residents have given us such an extensive support net already that I cannot wait to continue building friendships and connections throughout the next few years.

What are your career goals?

I am pursuing a fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. I plan to work in academic medicine with a focus in teaching and training future physicians and research. While I am passionate about working in infertility, Duke offers many opportunities to work with various subspecialties so I am keeping my options open and I am confident that Duke will set me up well for any career I choose to pursue.

Describe your research interests/goals:

Gametogenesis, Affordable fertility options, PCOS, Ethics of fertility research in the United States.

What are your hobbies?

Watching Survivor and TLC (90 Day Fiance, Dr. Pimple Popper, etc.,) traveling, hiking, making home made ice cream, and exploring new restaurants and bars around town.

 

Education & Training

Undergraduate school & graduation year:
Vanderbilt University, 2018

Medical school & graduation year:
Meharry Medical College, 2022

 

Awards & Honors

Alpha Omega Alpha Honors Society // Gold Humanism Honors Society

 

Publications

Saraswati, S., Marrow, S.M.W., Watch, L.A. et al. Identification of a pro-angiogenic functional role for FSP1-positive fibroblast subtype in wound healing. Nat Commun 10, 3027 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-019-10965-9

Alina Morales, Ramkumar Mohan, Xiaohuan Chen, Breanna L. Coffman, Mounir Bendahmane, Lester Watch, Joshua L. West, Shreeya Bakshi, John R. Traynor, David R. Giovannucci, Paul J. Kammermeier, Daniel Axelrod, Kevin P.M. Currie, Alan V. Smrcka, Arun Anantharam; PACAP and acetylcholine cause distinct Ca2+ signals and secretory responses in chromaffin cells. J Gen Physiol 6 February 2023; 155 (2): e202213180. doi: https://doi.org/10.1085/jgp.202213180

Lo JO, D'Mello RJ, Watch L, Schust DJ, Murphy SK. An epigenetic synopsis of parental substance use. Epigenomics. 2023 Jun 7. doi: 10.2217/epi-2023-0064. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37282544.

 

Presentations

Watch, L., Saraswati, S., Horning, S., Young, P. Elucidating Fibroblast Heterogeneity as a Pathway to Target Cardiac Fibrosis, Vanderbilt Cardiovascular Symposium, Nashville, TN, May 17th, 2017

Watch, L., Pemmireddy, P., Beier, D., Melzer, M., Young, P. Beta-catenin activation in cardiac fibroblasts differentially affects cardiac wound healing in acute vs chronic injury, Meharry Medical College’s 64th Annual Student Research Day, Nashville, TN, March 11th, 2020