Alumni
Profiles of Success
James Simples, Jr. Ph.D.
Research Scientist
John D. Dingell VA Medical Center
Ph.D. Biology 1996, Purdue
I believe that a proper education enhances one's ability to maximize his or
her potential for personal and professional success," declares Purdue
graduate James Simples, Jr. Wanting to become actively involved in biomedical
research, James began his college career at Morehouse College in Atlanta,
Georgia, where he graduated with a Biology degree in 1986. After completing
a M.S. in Physiology at Texas Southern University in 1989, he entered Purdue
to pursue his Ph.D. in the Biological Sciences. Pleased with the education
he received while working toward his doctorate, James remarks, "The training
I received at Purdue University has provided me with the tools I need to succeed
both scientifically and professionally in academia".
After working as an Associate Research Scientist at the University of Pittsburgh, James accepted his current position at John D. Dingell VA Medical Center as a Research Biologist. There he conducts diabetes-related research, studying how cells in the human body communicate with each other. One way cells accomplish this is through sending and receiving electrical signals, and James studies the electrical changes experienced by cells involved in the release of insulin and the regulation of heart contraction. "My long-term goal," he says, "is to obtain useful information about how these cells function and to provide a basis for therapeutic interventions for the management of diabetes mellitus and arrhythmias."
According to James, a career in the sciences requires a great deal of dedication and drive. "If a career in science is what you really want, you must be willing to make many sacrifices, to put in long hours of work, and to believe that what you are doing will make a difference someday," he tells biology majors. He further advises students to become actively involved in professional groups or societies related to their interests. "I have benefited greatly from attending and participating at national research conferences, belonging to various scientific societies, and interacting with established scientists at these functions," he explains. Finally, he recommends students get involved in summer programs, such as those offered at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, Massachusetts.
Outside of the research lab, James devotes much of his time to volunteer work. "I believe that service is the price we must pay for occupying space on earth," he remarks. As a graduate student at Purdue, he got involved in mentoring fellow students for the Department of Athletics and the Dean of Students. Today he continues to serve the Purdue community, recently volunteering his time as a recruiter for HBCU Visitation Program and the Graduate School. A large part of James' volunteer efforts have been directed toward outreach programs for minority students, and while attending Purdue he reached out to the local community as a mentor to minority high school students. He has more recently served on the Minority Student Retention Committee at the University, and is a Science Minority Advisory Council member. "All students should have access to a high-quality education," James states. "While pursuing a degree, students deserve to be challenged to seek excellence and be provided with all the resources and support necessary to achieve it. To that end, it is the responsibility and obligation of university administrators, the faculty, the staff, the students, and the community members to be intentional about contributing in meaningful and positive ways to the success of each and every student."