Not many seniors can say that they turned down an acceptance from MIT, but that is exactly what Eric Twerdahl did. Instead, he was attracted to the challenging nature of the U.S. Naval Academy and their offer of acceptance was one he could not refuse.
Having attended a grueling three-week summer program at the Naval Academy designed to give prospective high school students a taste of the rigors of the Academy, Twerdahl was well aware of the demanding atmosphere of the school.
Dual majors of chemistry and English were a unique choice, and Twerdahl excelled at both. During his years at the Academy he received various chemistry awards and a coveted First Place Honor in the required Sophomore ethics essay. Senior year he was able to study Extraterrestrial Physics at the Goddard Space Flight Center Laboratory in Greenbelt, Maryland. He graduated with distinction in 2004.
As a Marshall Scholar Twerdahl studied Human Physiology in Oxford, England for two years. There he led the Oxford University Strategic Studies Group, the University’s oldest international affairs society, inviting dignitaries, as well as Admirals and Generals to speak. Upon his return, Twerdahl pursued his interest in medicine and entered Harvard Medical School.
At Harvard Twerdahl was a founding member of the International Relations & Biomedicine Circle and sat on the organizing committee of the Harvard Medical School Ethics Journal Club. He has traveled to nearly 30 countries, including the UAE and India under the aegis of Partners Harvard Medical International.
Twerdahl received his M.D. in 2010 and is currently in his second year of surgical residency at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Upon completion of a seven year residency, which includes two years of research, he will become a General Surgeon for the Navy with a possible association with the space program.
(Editor's Note: Information in this profile was provided by Eric's parents, Robin and Eric Twerdahl.Tomorrow: Captain Jordan Clay.)
