As an undergraduate studying biochemistry at Washington University in St. Louis, Rochelle P. Walensky already had her sights set on becoming a physician. Today, she stands as one of the world's most prominent physician-scientists, serving as the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In a recent discussion with Dean Feng Sheng Hu, Walensky reflected on her formative years at WashU, highlighting the crucial role the university played in shaping her journey to the forefront of global public health.