Previously Highlighted Alumni

Jessica Williams

Profiled April 2013

Jessica attended SMDEP at Columbia University in 2010. She graduated from Georgia State University in May 2012 with a bachelor of science in biology and a minor in chemistry. While at GSU, Jessica took a leadership role as an officer in a pre-dental club where she coordinated all dental-related events for its members. Jessica's most rewarding experience during undergrad was when she traveled to Nicaragua on a medical mission trip and provided free dental care and education to an undeserved community.

Following graduation from GSU, Jessica worked as a dental assistant. Jessica honed her mentoring skills when she was invited to speak at Princeton University's Young Women Conference, where she informed middle and high school students about dentistry and encouraged them to pursue careers in the sciences.

Jessica is currently working with children until she begins dental school. She was accepted to four dental programs and will be attending Temple University's Kornberg School of Dentistry in the fall. Participating in SMDEP solidified Jessica's decision to pursue dentistry as a career.

James Delgadillo

Profiled February 2013

James attended SMDEP at the University of Washington in 2006, and graduated from Stanford University in 2008 with a degree in human biology.

In fall 2010, James began medical school at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. During the summer of 2011, the University of California, Los Angeles, hired him as an RA/TA for their Summer Medical and Dental Education Program site. While at UCLA, James also participated in the Health Disparities Summer Program as a Research Fellow. In this position, he researched the impact of the work environment on the mental health of Latina domestic workers.

Today, James is a 3rd year medical student. After completing medical school, he plans to pursue a career in clinical medicine while developing the skills to investigate and address health disparities in medicine.

Kemi Tomobi

Profiled January 2013

Kemi attended MMEP at Duke University in 2001. She graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a major in Neuroscience and a minor in French. After graduating, she went to work at the National Cancer Institute as a post-baccalaureate research fellow.

After completing her fellowship, Kemi started medical school at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. Her experiences while there include summer research in Ecuador, community service in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, and case presentation at a pediatric surgery conference in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Jennifer Tran

Profiled November 2012

Jennifer attended SMDEP at the University of Virginia in 2008. She graduated from the University of Virginia in 2011, with a degree in human biology.

As an undergraduate, Jennifer conducted independent research and volunteered with student organizations such as the UVA Honor Committee and the Charlottesville Free Clinic. She also attended the Harvard-MIT HST Summer Institute in 2009, and the Summer Program in Biological Sciences in Public Health at Harvard School of Public Health in 2010.

After a year-long postbaccalaureate fellowship at the National Institutes of Health, Jennifer is a first year medical student at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine.

Eric Brown

Profiled September 2012

Eric attended SMDEP at the University of California, Los Angeles in 2008. He graduated in 2012 from the University of California, Riverside with a bachelor of science degree in biology.

As an active undergraduate at UCR, Eric served as a peer mentor for three years in both the Medical Scholars Program and the Health Professions Advising Center, mentoring his fellow peers about a career in dentistry. He also served as co-president of UCR's Future Dentist Club and was the UCR liaison to "Give Kids a Smile," a nationwide annual event that provides free dental care and education to underserved children.

Eric spent two summers participating in UCLA's SMDEP and PREP enrichment programs learning about health disparities and a career in dentistry. These programs strengthened his desire to pursue dentistry as a career and equipped him with knowledge to share with his peers. One of his most rewarding experiences as an undergraduate was participating in a medical and dental mission trip to underserved areas of Nicaragua, setting up clinics, and providing access to dental care.

Eric was accepted to six dental schools and chose to pursue his dental degree at the University of California, San Francisco, where he was awarded with the prestigious Osgood Scholarship for academic achievement.

Marieme Mbaye

Profiled August 2012

Marieme attended SMDEP at the University of Virginia in 2010. She recently graduated from Yale University, where she majored in psychology with a concentration in neuroscience.

While at Yale, Marieme sprinted for the women's track team, and worked as a recruitment coordinator and senior presenter at the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. She was also a French tutor at the Yale Center for Language Study.

Marieme was also an editor for the Yale Journal of Public Health, a peer counselor and Web site manager for Walden Peer Counseling, and director of communications for the Hypertension Awareness & Prevention Program at Yale (HAPPY).

Marieme is now preparing for medical school at The University of Tennessee, College of Medicine.

Paul Pang

Profiled July 2012

Paul attended SMDEP at Columbia University in 2009. He graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park, with a major in microbiology and he will be completing a master's degree at Boston University School of Medicine this year.

As an undergraduate, Paul was the president and captain of the men's volleyball club, a two-year teaching assistant, and started a club on campus for students interested in neurology. He also got involved with research projects in microbial genetics and plasma physics.

Paul is working at Brigham and Women's Hospital/Harvard Medical School researching chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular disease. He plans to apply to medical school next year and hopes to pursue a medical career in academia and becoming a vascular, cardiothoracic, or transplant surgeon. In the future, Paul wishes to be able to utilize any gains or prestige received in becoming a doctor to help the less fortunate.

Wenting Guo

Profiled May 2012

Wenting attended SMDEP at the University of Texas, Houston in 2008. After attending SMDEP, she transferred to the University of California, Berkeley with an interest in public health. During her senior year, Wenting decided to pursue a career in dentistry.

After graduating from UC Berkeley with a degree in public health and integrative biology, Wenting worked as a researcher at Health Research for Action at UC Berkeley. Her most memorable experience working in public health was as an internal coordinator for the Vietnam Tooth Project, which is a student driven initiative to improve the oral health of children in Vietnam. Health Research for Action at UC Berkeley is one of the project's sponsors.

Today, Wenting is a first year dental student at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. During her summer break, Wenting will be educating and mentoring high school students at the College of Physicians in Philadelphia.

Alicia Perry

Profiled April 2012

Alicia attended the Summer Medical Education Program (SMEP) in 2004 at Duke University prior to the program name change in 2006 to the Summer Medical and Dental Education Program (SMDEP).

In addition to attending SMEP, Alicia attended a summer internship program at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. She also worked as a volunteer for the Black Educational AIDS Project in Baltimore. Displaced by hurricane Katrina, Alicia attended Amherst College and was one out of seven students who received an honorary degree in 2006. Alicia has since graduated cum laude from Stanbridge College with a certification in vocational nursing and is now a licensed vocational nurse.

Alicia is completing her bachelor's degree at Xavier University of Louisiana. She is seeking employment in an acute care or hospital setting. Alicia's ultimate goal is to become a family practitioner, but currently she is focusing on a career in nursing.

Vanessa Maycumber

Profiled February 2012

Vanessa attended SMDEP at the University of Washington in 2007.

After completing SMDEP, Vanessa attended the Summer Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program at Kansas State University in 2009. She is a second-year medical student at the University of Washington School of Medicine. Vanessa is a part of the Targeted Rural/Underserved Track (TRUST) program, which connects Montana and Washington residents with a rural mentor and a clinical site in their home state. She is also a National Health Service Corps scholar.

In the future, Vanessa hopes to complete a residency in family practice and practice in rural Montana. In her spare time, she enjoys volunteering, reading, traveling, hiking, and cooking.