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Devin Williams has long known he wanted to become a doctor. Now, a senior at the University of North Texas, he is steadily building the foundation for a future in pulmonary medicine— a path clarified through lived experiences, academic rigor, and a commitment to make a meaningful impact.

At the tender age of seven, Devin understood the fragility of breath having been diagnosed with asthma during two weeks of hospitalization. This experience allowed him to understand “what patients endure when their breath is taken away,” he says.

Growing up with asthma and inspired by a desire to help others with conditions like his, he decided pulmonology was an ideal specialty and found a calling to actively pursue it, unaware that a middle school college prep program visit to UNT’s campus would breathe life into his future journey. During this campus visit, he fell in love with UNT’s welcoming atmosphere and set his sights on joining the Mean Green Family.

While in high school, Devin dove into the healthcare field while attending the Health Science Academy in Plano. His experience quickly grew into purpose while working as a certified nurse aide student. “Aiding residents gave me insight on how to love those who need it,” he says, which affirmed and strengthened his passion and desire to help people. He knows that the experience will make him a compassionate doctor.

Devin finally landed at the UNT in Fall 2021 majoring in biology, chemistry, and minoring in psychology – a blend of educational requirements and a growing interest. Devin’s drive to earn his degree was supplemented by his mother’s example — watching her return to school and complete her bachelor’s degree while he was young showed him the power of persistence and the importance of education.

A challenging general chemistry class with principal lecturer Dr. Amy Petros, deepened his interest in science and fostered a lasting mentorship.

“I really gained my love for UNT working with Dr. Petros,” Devin says. “She did a lot for me in opening opportunities and guiding me.”

During his time as an undergraduate, Devin earned the Outstanding Freshman Chemistry Award and later became a peer-led team-based learning leader, helping students in collaborative study sessions. He was also a part of the Emerald Eagle Scholars program and joined Phi Sigma Pi, a national honor fraternity where he gave back through community service.

This journey was not without setbacks — including losing his spot in the Joint Admission Medical Program after a difficult experience with the MCAT, the medical school admissions exam — he pushed forward.

“UNT gave me the support I needed to keep going,” he says.

He took part in the MIT ACCESS program, a research-focused initiative at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for students from underrepresented backgrounds, where he explored advanced topics in chemistry. That program opened the door to a research internship at the UNT Health Science Center, where he presented findings on a breast cancer vaccine. Devin plans to apply for a position at the American Heart Association while continuing to study for the MCAT, working with Dr. Omar Valsson’s computational chemistry research group and tutoring outside of UNT.

His ultimate goal is to become a caring pulmonary doctor and help advance innovative treatments through research, combining his passion for science with a commitment to making a lasting impact in healthcare.

He lives by the words, “never giving up on arduous dreams, it is the want to see them realized that is important,’” he says.

Learn more about UNT's Great Grads Spring 2025