Nicole Rivera

Nicole Rivera is a third-year M.D. candidate who joined the Goodwin Lab during her first year. She earned her B.S. in Neuroscience with minors in Spanish and Chemistry from Duke University in 2023. During her undergraduate studies, she conducted research on the evolution of the hypoxia response, exploring how eukaryotic adaptations linked cellular motility and metabolism. Her current research focuses on gender differences in the experience and outcomes of spinal pathologies, including sex-based variations in pain perception and response to treatment. In addition, she is interested in perioperative optimization and factors influencing surgical outcomes in patients undergoing spine surgery.

In her free time, Nicole enjoys spending time with friends and family, being outdoors, playing pickleball, traveling, and trying new recipes.