Home Lifestyle Alumnus Austin Locklear accepted to Brody School of Medicine

Alumnus Austin Locklear accepted to Brody School of Medicine

PEMBROKE— Four years ago, Austin Locklear earned a biology degree from UNC Pembroke to prepare for the rigorous course load in medical school. In an effort to become a stronger candidate, he went on to earn a graduate degree from Duke University. 

This fall, Locklear will continue pursuing his dream of becoming a cardiothoracic surgeon at the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. He chose Brody after receiving acceptance letters from medical programs at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Tulane University. 

The Red Springs native graduated from UNCP with cum laude honors in 2017, earning a bachelor’s degree in biology with a biomedical emphasis. An active member of the NC-Health Careers Access Program (HCAP), he was named multiple times to the Chancellor’s and Honors list.  

“My experience at UNCP has allowed me to make connections with my professors and classmates that created a learning environment I was excited to enter,” he said. 

“The relationships with professors that I was able to create led to mentorships that I lean on today. UNCP also prepared me for graduate school.” 

Locklear obtained a master’s degree in Biomedical Science from Duke before completing a certification in anatomy and leadership from Tulane University. 

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“The research experience and knowledge that I gained while attending UNCP allowed me to excel at top nationally ranked graduate schools. I was also able to excel at Tulane as a result of the strong laboratory experiences I gained while at UNCP.”  

As an enrolled member of the Lumbee Tribe, Locklear believes it’s his civic duty to educate and inspire the next generation of the Indigenous people. 

“I want to help change the mindset of younger generations. I’ve had the opportunity to educate youth in communities with large populations of Indigenous people and volunteer in STEM programs organized by the Lumbee Tribe.”    

Locklear was in attendance today at the traditional White Coat Ceremony, marking the official entry of matriculating Brody students into medical school.   

After obtaining his medical degree, he plans to complete a residency program to train to become a cardiothoracic surgeon. His career goal is to sub-specialize in congenital cardiothoracic surgery.  



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