2021 – UCLA Brain Research Institute (BRI)

14Feb

Faduma Hassan

Year in program: 2021

UCLA Mentors: Dr. Ketema Paul

Home Institution Mentors: Dr. Harriette Howard-Lee Block

Current Institution: Prairie View A&M

Faduma Hassan is an undergraduate student researcher at Prairie View A&M University. Born and raised in Houston, Texas, and the daughter of Somali immigrants, Faduma’s overall goal is to help deconstruct the barrier between the medical field and underrepresented minorities. Her passions include the desire to learn more about her community and the chronic diseases that plague minorities due to poor health care access. She aspires to be a neurologist focusing on degenerative diseases and genetic markers. She is the community service chair of the Undergraduate Medical Academy of Texas and various student-led organizations at PVAMU.
UC-HBCU Cohort 2021
UCLA mentors: Dr. Ketema Paul and Dr. India Nichols
PVAMU mentor: Dr. Charcacia Sanders
Undergraduate Student Researcher.

14Feb

Shango Rich

Year in program: 2021

UCLA Mentors: Elizabeth Fernandez and Dr. David Nathanson

Home Institution Mentors: Dr. Malikah Abdullah-Israel, Dr. Aleicia McClain and Dr. Joseph Hall

Current Institution: Norfolk State University

My interest in science stems from a desire to learn and better my community. Coming from a small town in central Georgia, my interest in medicine led me to search for opportunities that help me on my journey to become a medical professional. I’ve worked in numerous medical and scientific establishments in my community including Warner Robins Rehabilitation and Hospice Center and Boland Prosthetic and Orthotic Center where I gained experiences and relationships that I hold very close to heart. At Norfolk State University I have dedicated my time to my studies, engaging in NSU’s biology society and chemistry society organizing community outreach events, and participating in several research projects.

Shango is currently a Medical Record Specialist at the University of Virginia