Jesse Newkirk is a summer legal intern with the Infectious Diseases Initiative at the O’Neill Institute.
Newkirk is interested in advocacy for the availability and affordability of medical care.
After graduating from college, Newkirk pursued a career in music, where he played guitar, performed across North America, and had songs placed on television.
Newkirk faced sudden severe health struggles, including epileptic seizures and a rare, near-deadly autoimmune disorder at age 27. His gratitude for the medical services that saved his life inspires his current work and studies.
Prior to the O’Neill Institute, Newkirk conducted secretarial work for Columbia Medical School’s Dean Lee Goldman during the editing process of the school’s textbook. He then became project editor of pre-med and rock and roll textbooks for WW Norton & Co.’s college division.
Newkirk is currently a law student at Georgetown University Law Center. He earned a music degree from Pomona College.