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Shekinah A

- Research Program Mentor

PhD candidate at Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Expertise

Biology/Cancer Biology

Bio

I am passionate about the field of cancer research. The opportunity to contribute to the development of innovative and effective treatments that can improve the lives of cancer patients is what drives me. I am fascinated by the complexity of cancer biology and motivated to tackle the challenges that lie ahead in the fight against this disease. Also, I am interested in bridging the gap between minorities and STEM. Outside of my academic pursuits, I have a variety of personal interests and hobbies. I enjoy maintaining an active lifestyle through regular exercise and finding new healthy recipes to cook. Additionally, I have a passion for makeup and enjoy experimenting with different looks. Finally, I find great fulfillment in volunteering for causes that I am passionate about and giving back to my community in meaningful ways.

Project ideas

Project ideas are meant to help inspire student thinking about their own project. Students are in the driver seat of their research and are free to use any or none of the ideas shared by their mentors.

Potential Biomarkers for Head and Neck Cancers

The aim of this project is to review the literature pertaining to potential biomarkers for head and neck cancers (HNCs). The review will focus on identifying and evaluating the diagnostic and prognostic value of various biomarkers, including genetic, epigenetic, and protein-based markers. The findings of this project may have important implications for the development of personalized and targeted therapies for HNCs, as well as for improving patient outcomes and quality of life. This could be a blog, essay, podcast, short film or documentary, poem!

Review: Biological Processes Underlying Metastasis

The proposed project aims to review the underlying biological processes of metastasis, the spread of cancer cells from the primary tumor to distant organs or tissues. Through an in-depth analysis of current literature, the project will explore the molecular mechanisms involved in metastasis, including the role of key signaling pathways, the extracellular matrix, and the immune system. The findings of this project will contribute to a better understanding of metastasis and may inform the development of novel therapeutic strategies to prevent or treat metastatic cancer. This could be a blog, essay, podcast, short film or documentary, poem!

Teaching experience

I have had valuable mentoring experience in the field of chemistry. As a tutor for a chemistry class, I was able to help students develop a better understanding of complex concepts through one-on-one guidance and personalized instruction. Additionally, I have experience teaching laboratory techniques to others, helping them to develop the necessary skills and confidence to conduct experiments and analyze data. Through my mentoring experiences, I have gained valuable communication, teaching, and leadership skills that will serve me well in my future academic and professional pursuits.

Credentials

Work experience

University of Alabama at Birmingham (2022 - Current)
NIH PREP Scholar/ Research Assistant

Education

New Jersey City University
BS Bachelor of Science
Biology and Psychology
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
PhD Doctor of Philosophy candidate
Cancer Biology

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