2008 Howard University Amgen Scholars

Evelena Cousin-Peterson is a senior Pre-Med Biology major from Marietta, GA at Howard University. For the past 3 years of her collegiate career at Howard, she has been a dedicated student-athlete as a member of Howard’s Women’s basketball team. In addition to her dedication to academics and athletics, Evelena is very passionate about science and medicine. Summer 2007, she spent 10 weeks doing research with the Gateways to the Laboratory MD/Ph.D. program in the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) where she assisted with on-going projects involving the Breast Cancer Susceptibility gene 2 (BRCA2). She worked in the structural biology department under Nikola Pavletich, PhD, a Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) investigator at MSKCC, who has determined the structures of many proteins that play roles in the formation of cancer. Evelena has also been, and remains, active in her community participating in various community service endeavors. She greatly enjoys working with and helping people, and leaving lasting impressions on those with whom she works. Upon completion of her senior year, Evelena plans to attend one of America’s top medical schools with a concentration in research, where she hopes to go abroad to learn and study medicine as well.

Lauren DeBerry is a rising senior at Howard University majoring in biology. She has three years of experience in research, including a stint as a Summer Researcher with the National Institute of Health Lung & Blood Institute with the State University of New York at Buffalo. In addition to her studies, she is actively involved in campus organizations including Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority incorporated, Pre Health Professional society and Red Cross club. She is also civic minded, volunteering on Capitol Hill for Hon. Brian Higgins a democrat from New York as well as mentoring with the Big Brother Big Sister Organization.

Bette’ Ford is a rising senior at the University of West Georgia, and a chemistry pre-med major and biology minor. Bette’ is an outgoing student who has a true passion for being a leader and helping others. As a tutor at the university’s Excel Center, a research student in the chemistry department, the secretary and activities coordinator of AMSA, and organic chemistry teacher’s assistant; Bette’ has a strong impact on her campus. Outside of school, Bette’ enjoys spending time with her family and friends, watching Grey’s Anatomy, gymnastics, swimming, and reading inspirational books. In the future, Bette’ would like to pursue a professional career as a physician and seize an opportunity to become a cancer research scientist exploring the various remedies for common diseases. In pursuing a higher education, Bette’ will prove that her passion for medicine will one day impact our society in hopes to become a dependable health care provider.

Benedict Ifedi is a rising junior at the University of Houston. He is majoring in Biochemistry with aspirations to fulfill a career in medicine as an MD/PhD. He was born in raised in Houston, Texas, although my parents are originally from the great country of Nigeria. During the course of most of life he knew he wanted to be a medical doctor, as he attended and graduated from the Michael E. DeBakey High School for Health Professions. Benedict enjoys music in all its forms, and is a sports fanatic, particularly for football, basketball, and track & field.

Anwar Jackson is a sports medicine major from Dallas, TX and a rising junior at Howard University in Washington, DC. After graduating from Howard, He hopes to enter and graduate from medical school with an MD and possibly a Ph.D. His current ambition is to become an orthopedic surgeon, but he has yet to make a set decision. He believes that, regardless of what field of medicine he enters, having a Ph.D. will make him better equipped to do research and make discoveries that will improve the lives of more people than is possible with an MD alone. Outside of academics, he enjoys practicing taekwondo, drawing, reading, and hanging out with his friends.

Brittany Jelks is a native of Greenville, Mississippi. She is a rising junior at Alabama A&M University in Huntsville, AL, where she is majoring in Biology, with a concentration in pre-physical therapy, Brittany is a member of the Alabama A&M Womens Tennis Team, Pre-Alumni Association, The National Society of Success and Leadership, and various other campus organizations. She has been selected for the Dean's List each semester and was recently awarded scholar athlete. Her career goal is to become a physical therapist and help individuals regain their independence in life. Brittany enjoys traveling, meeting others, cultural events and learning.

Lauren Elizabeth Roach is a junior Biology: Premed major from Greenwood, MS and attends Alcorn State University. She is an active member of Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society, the Honors Curriculum Program, the Pre-Professional Program, and the Alcorn State University Marching Band, also known as the "Sounds of Dyn-O-Mite", in which she plays the saxophone. She is also an alumnus of the SMDEP program at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. Upon completion of her Bachelor of Science degree, Lauren plans to attend medical school, with plans to specialize in nuclear medicine.

Makina L. Table is a rising junior from Atlanta, GA. She currently attends Howard University in Washington, D.C. At Howard, Makina majors in Afro-American Studies and minors in Chemistry with plans of becoming an obstetrician (OB/GYN). On campus, Makina is involved in the Howard Gospel Choir, the College of Arts and Sciences Honors Program, the Georgia Club, and interns in the Administration Building. Some of her hobbies include singing, traveling, and mastering crossword puzzles. Makina is the youngest daughter of Marvin and Althelene Table, the sister of Melba and Maya, and the owner of two beautiful dogs, Hope and Mafia.

Sonia Taneja is a rising fourth-year Echols Scholar at the University of Virginia, majoring in chemistry with biochemical specialization. She has been conducting research within the UVa Health System (Department of Anesthesiology) since her first year, and has also performed clinical work with various medical specialists (in the fields of cardiology and obstetrics/gynecology). While marrying her love for both the research and clinical sides of medicine (in pursuit of an MD/PhD degree), Sonia still finds time to participate within the Jefferson Literary and Debating Society, express her love of dance through the Sharaara South-Asian female dance troupe, and lead numerous organizations in various capacities. Sonia is extremely excited at the opportunity to join the 2008 Class of Amgen Scholars, and looks forward to conducting world-class research under the tutelage of the brightest scientific minds this summer!

Leandria J. Thomas is a third year Pre-Med/Biology major with a minor in Chemistry at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. She is a proud member of the Earnest Just Society, an organization devoted to the success of minorities pursuing professional careers in the field of medicine. Her other extra-curricular activities include a job as a lab tutor and lab assistant in the Biology Department, participation in the Black Student Association, Gospel Choir, and Students Committed to Christ. In addition to the aforementioned activities, she was part of NOBCChe (National Organization of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers) and the Gospel Choir Executive Board. She is fluent in Spanish and proficient as a cellist. She desires to further develop both of those skills as soon as time allows. Leandria desires to become a doctor of Internal Medicine fighting against healthcare disparities among the underserved Black and Latino populations, both young and old.

Kayla Thomas is biochemistry major at Biola University in La Mirada, CA, originally from Stockton, CA. She has always had a passion for science and is interested in biomedical research. Her hobbies include playing the clarinet, going to the movies, and learning new things.

Angelica R. White attends Alcorn State University, where she majors in Biology and Chemistry. Some of her achievements there include membership into Beta Kappa Chi, Alpha Kappa Mu, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, Co-President of the Minority Association for Pre-Medical Students, and President of the Pre-Med Club.
She has been recognized as a Collegiate All-American Scholar, President’s Scholar, and Who’s Who Among American College Students. After completing her undergraduate education, she plans to attend medical school because she is convinced that medicine offers her the opportunity to live a fulfilling, rewarding life dedicated to helping others. Her goal is to one day become a cardiac-surgeon.