Hollings Annual Report 2023 FINAL - Flipbook - Page 27
High schoolers get hands-on
experience in Hollings labs
When Deanna Jackson walked onto the MUSC campus
as summer 2023 started, she didn’t know tamoxifen
from oxidative stress.
By the end of the summer, the rising high school junior
from Charleston Charter School for Math + Science
was immersed in a triple negative breast cancer research
project in the lab of Gavin Wang, M.D., Ph.D., and was
experienced in culturing cells and using flow cytometry,
a techology that counts and identifies cells using lasers.
Deanna was part of the South Carolina Cancer
Health Equity Research Training Youth Enjoy Science
program — SC CHEER YES for short — that gives
students from four Charleston County high schools
the opportunity for mentoring by cancer researchers.
During the two-summer program, they learn about
recent advancements in cancer research and get college
and career guidance — all while earning a stipend.
The program is designed and run by Marvella E. Ford,
Ph.D., associate director, Population Science and
Community Outreach and Engagement.
193
current
trainees
Part of Hollings’ mission is to train the next generation
of biomedical researchers and to encourage bright
minds from a variety of backgrounds to consider
scientific careers. Through this program, students are
matched with mentors based on their career interests.
Some work in basic science labs, while others collaborate
with public health researchers. Deanna said it was a
growth experience. “My biggest takeaway has been
stepping out of my comfort zone. It’s taught me to do
things I normally would never do.”
137
LOWVELO Trainee
Symposium attendees
Celebrating 30 Years
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