The Journey After Duke: Reflections and Connections with Alumni

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Join a panel of alumni reflecting on their professional lives since departing Duke. An opportunity for structured networking with the speakers and other Duke alumni who are leaders in their fields (access a list via Duke Box) will follow the conversation. The event is open exclusively to graduate and professional students.

• Jason Dilks, A.M.'96 (Economics), CFA, former National Intelligence Collection Officer for Economic Security, Financial Intelligence, and Emerging Technologies in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence
• Shuling Guo, Ph.D.'01 (Molecular Genetics and Microbiology), Vice President, Biology and Associate Site Head San Diego, Vertex Pharmaceuticals
• David E. Little, Ph.D.'01 (Art and Art History), Principal and Founder, David E. Little Art Consulting
• Moderator: Patricia Sánchez Abril A.B.'96, J.D., Interim Dean of the University of Miami School of Law

Not sure what to expect from this event? Read reflections from past event participants Shu Hu, A.M.'24 (Graduate Liberal Studies), Judith Mwobobia, M.S.'23 (Global Health), and Xiaoxuan (Jessie) Yang, M.S.'19 (Earth and Ocean Sciences). 

Learn more about our speakers:

Jason A. Dilks, A.M.'96, CFA retired from the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in late 2023 after 28 years of military and civilian service. While at the CIA, he served as a senior officer in the Directorate of Operations (DO) in roles spanning foreign intelligence collection, counterintelligence and covert action operations.  His assignments included multiple overseas tours in Latin America, the Middle East, South Asia and Europe, often in critical threat environments.  In his final assignment, Mr. Dilks served as the National Intelligence Collection Officer for Economic Security, Financial Intelligence, and Emerging Technologies in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI).  Earlier in his career, Mr. Dilks worked in investment management and he continues to hold the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation.

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Shuling Guo, Ph.D.'01 began her current leadership role with Vertex Pharmaceuticals in June. In her previous position, she served as executive director and vice president for drug discovery at Ionis Pharmaceuticals. At Ionis, Dr. Guo helped identify new oligonucleotide targets for their cardiorenal, pulmonary, and rare disease portfolios. Prior to her pivot to industry, she was a founding member of the UCLA Broad Stem Cell Research Center. She also serves on the board of directors for the Oligonucleotide Therapeutics Society.

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David E. Little, Ph.D.'01 leads an art & museum consulting firm that advises museums, art collectors, and artists on strategy and navigating the international art world. He has more than twenty-five years’ experience in senior leadership positions as a museum director, chief curator, and education head.  He is the former Executive Director of the International Center of Photography (ICP), where, in 2021, he led the reopening of the museum and school in its new building in the Lower East Side. He also served as director of academic and public programs, The Museum of Modern Art; associate director and head of education, Whitney Museum of American Art; chair of photography and media, Minneapolis Institute of Art; and John Wieland 1958 Director and Chief Curator, Mead Art Museum, Amherst College.  David holds a B.A. from Bowdoin College, an M.A. in art history from Williams College, and a Ph.D. from Duke University. Last May, he received the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award from Duke University Graduate School.

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Patricia Sánchez Abril, A.B.’96, J.D. is Interim Dean of the University of Miami School of Law. She is professor of Business Law at the University of Miami Herbert Business School and has served in academic leadership roles at the Graduate School and Miami Herbert Business School. Her research centers on privacy and business law. Professor Abril’s teaching interests include business law, negotiation, and business ethics. In 2018, she was awarded the University of Miami Faculty Senate Outstanding Teaching Award. After graduating from Duke as an A.B. Duke Scholar, Professor Abril earned her J.D. from Harvard Law School.

This Professional Development Series event is sponsored by The Graduate School and Alumni Engagement and Development.