Mastering Molecular Medicine: From biochem foundations to ER shadowing success

From the moment Duane Milnes walked into a Commonwealth University–Bloomsburg chemistry classroom, he wasn’t sure where science would take him. But from that first day, he knew he was in the right place.

“I’ve always known I wanted to help people,” Milnes said. “I got my EMT licensure my senior year of high school, and that experience made me realize how much I love emergency medicine.”

Chemistry as the “Why”

For Milnes, majoring in chemistry wasn’t just about checking off prerequisites. It was about understanding medicine at its roots.

“I came in with a strong science background,” Milnes says. “I took AP Chemistry in high school, which gave me a solid foundation. But once I got to Bloomsburg, I started to see how chemistry explains the why behind biology and medicine. It’s the science under every diagnosis and treatment.”

Biochemistry quickly became his favorite subject. “It connects everything,” Milnes said. “You see how molecules interact, how pathways work. It’s the bridge between chemistry and the human body. That’s why I chose chemistry. I want to understand what’s happening at the molecular level when I’m treating future patients.”

Turning Loss into Purpose

His chemistry education took on deeper meaning when he joined Dr. Borland’s cancer research lab — work that became both scientific and personal.

“Dr. Borland has been a major influence,” Milnes said. “When I learned he was researching cancer, I wanted to be involved. My late uncle passed away from cancer, so this research means a lot to me.”

Now in his second year in the lab, Milnes has been part of every step — from cell culture upkeep to data analysis.

“At first, it was a lot of cell counting and splitting, the kind of detailed work that keeps the cells alive,” Milnes said. “But now I’m analyzing data, measuring tumor growth, and helping present our findings at research conferences.”

Milnes credits much of his success to those around him.

“The chemistry department here feels like family,” Milnes said. “Everyone is driven, and the professors are always available. If I’m working on something and have a question, I can walk right into their office. It makes a difference.”

Standing Out with National Accreditation

Ambition also led Milnes to pursue national molecular biology and biochemistry accreditation through the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB).

“It’s a big opportunity to differentiate yourself,” Milnes said. “I wanted to show medical schools that I wasn’t just checking boxes. I was mastering the science behind medicine.”

His hard work is paying off. Milnes has been accepted into multiple medical schools, including the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine at Virginia Tech and the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine.

But choosing where to go isn’t just about prestige. It’s about vision.

“I want to be trained as a physician of the future,” Milnes said. “Technology and patient care are advancing rapidly. I want a program that’s preparing doctors for what’s next, not just what’s now.”

And he knows he’s ready.

“Bloomsburg gave me everything I need to take the next step,” Milnes said. “The chemistry program shaped how I think — how to ask questions, how to solve problems, how to stay focused.”

That preparation became clear during a recent shadowing experience with an emergency medicine physician. When the topic turned to the Bohr effect — the relationship between oxygen and hemoglobin — Milnes immediately connected it back to his coursework.

“I learned that here, in biochem,” Milnes said. “I understood it instantly, and that moment confirmed how prepared I really am.”