Makayla Hughes has a deep concern for the well being and welfare of her group. She’s witnessed firsthand how members of her tight-knit, principally Black neighborhood in Houston lacked the sort of care important to preserve its residents wholesome.
“Throughout my academic journey, I have learned my community is more susceptible to diseases; therefore, I want to address these health disparities that plague our community,” Hughes mentioned.
Now, Hughes could be on her manner to doing simply that.
This spring, Hughes was chosen for a summer season internship with the U.S. Department of Energy on the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico, the place she will probably be learning infectious illness transmission and constructing fashions that monitor epidemiological knowledge.
It’s a once-in-a-lifetime alternative to be on the entrance strains of illness transmission analysis – and will assist fulfill her aspirations of serving to preserve her childhood group wholesome. The internship is a part of the National Nuclear Administration Minority Serving Institutions Internship Program.
Hughes, a Texas Woman’s senior majoring in well being research with an emphasis in public well being, is scheduled to graduate in August 2022, after the conclusion of her internship.
“What drew me to Texas Woman’s University was their influence in health care professions and the diversity and inclusion they offer. I majored in health studies with an emphasis in public health because I believe health promotion is vital,” Hughes mentioned. “I was and still am confident this degree will allow me to engage in promoting health and prevent disease in the public.”
She discovered concerning the internship whereas looking for internships that align along with her profession objectives.
Hughes has a background in serving to others. She served as an educational coach for the Pioneer Center for Student Excellence, the place for greater than two years she helped college students sharpen their tutorial expertise.
She hopes the information she features from the internship will probably be an enormous enhance to her aspirations of becoming a scientist. For now, she’s taking a severe look into grasp’s applications with an emphasis on epidemiology. She’s been accepted to two applications to this point.
“I picture myself being an epidemiologist, a scientist that analyzes patterns and the causes of diseases to ensure the public’s health and safety,” Hughes mentioned.
