In June, several Virginia scholars packed their bags and traveled hundreds of miles to spend 12 weeks in a UNMC laboratory. The students are part of UNMC’s unique Virginia-Nebraska Alliance, an academic and research partnership between UNMC, five Historically Black Colleges/Universities (HBCU’s) and the University of Richmond, The University of Virginia and Eastern Virginia Medical School.
Students conduct research, gain health care career preparation skills and collaborate on health disparities research.
We meet them today … in their own words.
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Bryan Spells |
I grew up in Newport News, Va. My early involvement in science fairs in middle school sparked my interest in science. In addition, my father is a biologist so I have had ample opportunity to observe his work.
After hearing a presentation on the Virginia-Nebraska Alliance from Dr. Mary McNamee, I decided to explore the opportunity for research and collaboration with other students and faculty.
During my summer, I have been working on community-based research with Dr. Phyllis Nsiah-Kumi. The project analyzes parent perceptions of their children’s risk of developing Type 2 diabetes during their lifetime. Also, I researched parental perceptions of water consumption’s impact on health.
Throughout this experience, I have learned a lot about community based research and health disparities. Also, I have gained a lot of information about diabetes. In addition, I have had the opportunity to gain new friends. The Virginia-Nebraska Alliance is a great opportunity for students and faculty. This has been a life-changing experience for me and I really enjoyed it.
My immediate plans include a return to UNMC. I have been accepted to the College of Medicine Post Baccalaureate program, so I’m moving to Omaha this fall for classes. My goal is to become a surgeon or family practice physician.
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Jackie Watson |
I grew up in Charlotte, N.C. I have always been curious about the mysteries of science. My grandfather has diabetes and as a child I didn’t understand his disease. Besides diabetes, I also am curious about HIV and cancer. Those diseases can be so devastating, particularly to African-American communities.
Because I wanted to research cancer, I was excited to be part of the Virginia-Nebraska Alliance. This summer, I’ve been working in Dr. Surinder Batra’s lab researching pancreatic cancer and the effects of EFGR on pancreatic cancer cells.
My summer experience taught me a lot about research protocols. I have developed an appreciation for research and its importance. Most of all, I’ve learned patience!
In the future, I plan to pursue medical school with the ultimate goal of either becoming a trauma surgeon or practicing internal medicine in an underserved area. I would like to give back to my community and help patients who don’t have insurance. Just because they can’t afford insurance, they should not be without great medical care.
The Virginia-Nebraska Alliance program was an excellent and life-changing opportunity that will help me prepare for medical school. It also is a necessary program to aid the increase in the number of minority health care professionals.
I’m blessed to have gained this remarkable experience. This has made me a more competitive applicant for medical school. In addition, it is something that I’ll value for the rest of my life. Hopefully, more students will be granted this opportunity in years to come.
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Irene Amoah |
I grew up in Ghana, West Africa. I have always had a love and curiosity about nature. For me, it is an inherent obsession with finding out why certain things occur.
I heard about the Virginia-Nebraska Alliance from a classmate and jumped at the opportunity to spend a summer doing research in a lab at UNMC. I have worked in a lab at Virginia State University but I have learned a new set of research skills this summer at UNMC.
This has been an awesome summer. I enjoyed traveling to Yellowstone National Park to collect microbial samples. My research project included isolating these samples, lysing them for proteins and running the samples through mass spectonomy. I am specifically looking for proteins that produce color. My mentor, Laurie Steinke, is wonderful. I have learned so much from her.
Through my summer experience at UNMC, I’ve learned new research techniques, basic science and received introductions to classes that I’ll take this fall. In addition, I’ve learned how to plan, organize and record research records.
My future goals include either pursuing medical school or a research career. I really love working in a lab.
The VA-NE Alliance program has been intensely educational, a priceless experience and above all, fun!