How One Student Dances Between Science and Art

Two side-by-side photos of Duke student, Natalia Melbard. In the first one she's in a science lab wearing a white lab coat and blue rubber gloves. In the second one she's kneeling backwards in a dance pose wearing tights, blue sneakers and a long-sleeved athletic top.

The following is the summary of a story by Margo Lakin on Trinity College of Arts and Sciences.

Inspired by a “phenomenal” teacher and AP biology course in high school, Natalia Melbard arrived at Duke intent on earning an undergraduate degree in biomedical engineering from the Pratt School of Engineering.

But the rising junior soon realized she wanted to balance the exacting precision and problem solving of biomedical engineering with creativity borne of emotions and the human experience. She decided to pursue a dance minor.

Melbard says the two seemingly divergent paths of study strengthen one another. “Engineering can be very structured and technical but having something like art or dance in my life helps me think more broadly about people, connections and purpose,” she said. “That perspective makes me more motivated in my technical work.”

Melbard is considering a career in medical device development. This summer she’s collaborating with students in Uganda on a medical device as part of a project started last year with DukeEngage.

But while her BME major is at the vortex of building, research and impact, she’s always kindled an appreciation for the arts.

“In high school, I took studio art and valued having a space that was less about precision and problem-solving and more about expression and perspective,” she said. “Dance gives me a more expansive way of thinking that isn’t centered on a single technical problem.”

Melbard is well rounded: Outside of her classrooms and dance studios, Melbard is very involved with Project Wild (PWILD), as an orientation leader for first year students, and as a member of the Duke Rock Climbing Club.  

Melbard is part of the STEAM@Duke series. For more about her advice to students on pursuing studies in STEAM, go to the Trinity College of Arts & Sciences.