Group of Ten Johns Hopkins researchers, including PhD candidates and postdocs, recognized and honored as members of the Bouchet Society for their academic achievements and commitment to diversity and inclusivity in the STEM fields.

Group of Ten Johns Hopkins researchers, including PhD candidates and postdocs, recognized and honored as members of the Bouchet Society for their academic achievements and commitment to diversity and inclusivity in the STEM fields.

Ten JHU scholars, including ten Ph.D. candidates and postdoctoral researchers, were recently inducted into the Edward A. Bouchet Graduate Honor Society. This prestigious organization acknowledges individuals who embody academic and personal excellence, encourage supportive environments, and serve as role models for students and trainees in the academic world.

Originally co-founded by Yale University and Howard University in 2005, the society is named after Edward Alexander Bouchet, the first African American doctoral recipient in the United States. The society now has chapters at 19 American universities and continues Bouchet's legacy of recognizing excellence and promoting diversity in doctoral education.

Other worthy highlights about the Bouchet Society include:

• It aims to foster an environment of support and camaraderie among its members.
• The society commits to advocating for equity, inclusion, and access to educational opportunities.
• Members agree to serve as role models and mentors to underrepresented students, aiming to inspire future generations of scholars.

"Congratulations on this remarkable recognition!" exclaimed Associate Vice Provost for Graduate Diversity and Partnerships, Damani Piggott.

Let's take a closer look at this year's JHU Bouchet Society honorees:

Sumayya Beekun

Beekun, a Ph.D. candidate in the Global Disease Epidemiology and Control program, is focused on bacterial infections and community-based research using Indigenous perspectives. Previously, she worked at the Centers for Disease Control and Control (CDC) and was deployed during the COVID-19 pandemic to various taskforces and local health departments. With a dedication to the health of "Mitakuye Oyasin" (meaning "all my relations" in Lakota), Beekun continues to make waves in the field of public health.

Travis Brady

Brady, a Ph.D. candidate in Biomedical Engineering, investigates the vascular aging process. Working under professors Lakshmi Santhanam and Sharon Gerecht, Brady integrates in vivo, ex vivo, and in vitro models to understand the timeline of age-related vascular stiffening. His work has been recognized with multiple awards and fellowships, and he plans to lead a lab that investigates cardiovascular biomechanics.

Brenice Duroseau

Duroseau, a PhD candidate at the School of Nursing and an Implementation Science and Social Determinants of Health Fellow at the Bloomberg School of Public Health, tackles sexual and reproductive health (SRH) disparities for marginalized women. She is committed to eradicating systemic barriers in healthcare and reimagining SRH services to be equitable, affirming, and holistic. Among numerous recognitions, she received the 40 Under 40 Public Health Catalyst Award.

Thomas Hinneh

A PhD candidate and American Heart Association predoctoral fellow, Hinneh focuses on cardiovascular health equity, team-based care, and community-based cardiovascular health initiatives. His work in Africa and the United States aims to improve cardiovascular health outcomes in resource-limited settings globally. He is the executive director and co-founder of HI-Foundation Ghana, a nongovernmental organization dedicated to community-based cardiovascular disease screening in Ghana.

Kayla Seymone Ingram

Ingram, a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, examines how social determinants of health influence molecular pathways that exacerbate disparities in breast cancer outcomes. Through her research and mentorship initiatives, Ingram hopes to create alternative education opportunities for underrepresented students in higher education.

Laura Mata López

As a PhD candidate at the School of Nursing, López's research addresses mental health and substance use services for Latin American immigrants in under-resourced communities. She is deeply committed to amplifying community voices and centering the voices of marginalized individuals in her work. Among her numerous achievements, she was awarded the 2023 Excellence in Health Equity Research Award from JHSON.

Faith Elise Metlock

A PhD candidate at the School of Nursing, Metlock researches the intersection of social determinants of health, psychological health, and cardiovascular disease prevention and self-management in underserved communities. Beyond academia, she runs the health marketing agency Black Health Explained and serves as the president of both the Black Student Nurses Association and the PhD Student Organization.

Eleana Parajón

A PhD candidate in Cellular and Molecular Medicine at the School of Medicine, Parajón explores the role of cytoskeletal proteins in pancreatic cancer. Through her mentorship initiatives and hospice volunteering, she seeks to improve the healthcare experience for terminally ill patients and their families.

Ladaisha T. Thompson

A Ph.D. candidate in Biomedical Engineering, Thompson focuses on immune aging and leveraging cell motility to predict age and frailty. A Vivien Thomas Scholars Initiative Fellow and Institute for Basic Biomedical Science Directors Fellow, Thompson is dedicated to fostering inclusivity and supporting the next generation of scientists.

Maria Alejandra Trujillo

As a PhD candidate in Pathobiology at the School of Medicine, Trujillo redefines early detection strategies for pancreatic cancer. A committed advocate for diversity in the biomedical sciences, Trujillo founded the PATH Scholars Initiative and collaborated on numerous mentorship programs. Her dedication extends to volunteer roles, including a service trip to the Dominican Republic and Haiti.

In summary, these outstanding JHU Bouchet Society inductees exemplify academic excellence, community-focused research, and a commitment to education and mentorship. Their work not only impacts their fields of interest but also serves as a testament to the university's investment in diversity and inclusion efforts. The university celebrates their achievements and looks forward to their continued success in the academic world.

1. The researchers, indicted into the Edward A. Bouchet Graduate Honor Society, epitomize academic and personal excellence, fostering supportive environments and serving as role models.
2. Damani Piggott, Associate Vice Provost for Graduate Diversity and Partnerships, applauded the recent inductees with a heartfelt exclamation.
3. The Bouchet Society, co-founded by Yale University and Howard University, promotes diversity in doctoral education, acknowledging individuals who embrace Bouchet's legacy.
4. Sumayya Beekun, a Ph.D. candidate in Global Disease Epidemiology and Control, is dedicated to public health with a focus on bacterial infections and community-based research using Indigenous perspectives.
5. Travis Brady, a Biomedical Engineering Ph.D. candidate, investigates the vascular aging process and plans to establish a lab that investigates cardiovascular biomechanics.
6. Brenice Duroseau, a PhD candidate at the School of Nursing, tackles sexual and reproductive health disparities for marginalized women, aiming to eradicate systemic barriers in healthcare.
7. Thomas Hinneh, a PhD candidate and American Heart Association predoctoral fellow, focuses on cardiovascular health equity and aims to improve cardiovascular health outcomes in resource-limited settings.
8. Kayla Seymone Ingram, a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, explores how social determinants of health influence molecular pathways that exacerbate disparities in breast cancer outcomes.
9. Laura Mata López, a PhD candidate at the School of Nursing, addresses mental health and substance use services for Latin American immigrants in under-resourced communities.
10. Faith Elise Metlock, a PhD candidate at the School of Nursing, researches psychological health and cardiovascular disease prevention and self-management in underserved communities.
11. Eleana Parajón, a PhD candidate in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, explores the role of cytoskeletal proteins in pancreatic cancer and strives to improve the healthcare experience for terminally ill patients.
12. Ladaisha T. Thompson, a Ph.D. candidate in Biomedical Engineering, investigates immune aging and fosters inclusivity to support the next generation of scientists.
13. Maria Alejandra Trujillo, a PhD candidate in Pathobiology, redefines early detection strategies for pancreatic cancer and advocates for diversity in the biomedical sciences.
14. The Bouchet Society commits to advocating for equity, inclusion, and access to educational opportunities.
15. University research spans over various domains, including technology, science, and engineering.
16. Health-related studies cover a broad spectrum, from chronic diseases and respiratory conditions to eye-health, hearing, and digestive-health.
17. Fitness-and-exercise, nutrition, and mental-health form crucial components of student life and health-and-wellness.
18. Environmental-science also plays a significant role in university news, with a growing focus on climate-change impacts and potential solutions.
19. Therapies-and-treatments for medical-conditions, including cancer and autoimmune-disorders, are constantly evolving as a result of ongoing research.
20. Womens-health and mens-health emphasize the importance of gender-specific healthcare, addressing unique medical concerns for each gender.
21. Skin-care and dermatology, as well as neurological-disorders and neurological-research, are essential aspects of medical studies and treatments.
22. Workplace-wellness programs are aimed at promoting health, wellness, and productivity within organizations.
23. Parenting, education-and-self-development, personal-growth, career-development, job-search, and learning skills-training are key components of lifelong education and self-improvement.

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