The historic affiliation agreement between UNMC and Dillard University, a historically black college in New Orleans, bore its first fruit three weeks ago when five Dillard students arrived for 10 weeks of research and mentoring with top UNMC professors.
In addition to the Dillard five, there are three more African-Americans — one each from Xavier University, Grambling University and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. There also is a Native American student from UNL and two Hispanic students from the College of St. Mary in San Antonio, Texas.
“We are very pleased to have a significant increase in the number of underrepresented minority students participating in our summer research experiences,” said John McClain, Ph.D., associate vice chancellor for academic affairs at UNMC.
“These students represent a significant commitment on the part of UNMC to acquaint more minorities with the broad array of programs and other research activities on campus. It is hoped that many, if not all of these students, will eventually be applicants to UNMC’s medical school or other graduate health science programs. While on campus, the students will receive extensive overviews of all the health science career possibilities from each academic program’s representatives.” 
Dr. McClain said that all but one of the summer interns are funded by a minority research supplement grant from the National Institutes of Health. The funding source is important because it means the money is already in place to enable most, if not all, of the present interns to return to UNMC next summer for another internship. Moreover, there should be another five or more minority students in attendance. Each summer, UNMC anticipates increasing the number of underrepresented minorities on campus for research opportunities.
The 2002 summer minority research interns are as follows:
- Iona Rone is a junior at Xavier University majoring in pre-medicine. She is studying with Jing Ma, Ph.D., assistant professor in the department of genetics, cell biology and anatomy and a scientist at the Munroe-Meyer Institute Center for Human Molecular Biology.
- Calvin Spellmon is a sophomore at Dillard University majoring in pre-medicine. He is studying with Terry Hexum, Ph.D., professor in the department of pharmacology.
- Samuel Wilcinot is a sophomore at Dillard University majoring in pre-medicine. He is studying with Vinod Labhasetwar, Ph.D., associate professor in the department of pharmaceutical science at the College of Pharmacy.
- Sadari Fisher is a sophomore at Dillard University majoring in pre-medicine. She is studying with Lucile Wrenshall, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor in the department of surgery.
- Tasia Hurd is a sophomore at Dillard University majoring in pre-medicine. She is studying with John Davis, Ph.D., professor in the department of obstetrics and gynecology.
- Omar Acres is a sophomore at Dillard University majoring in pre-medicine. He is studying with Janee Van Waes, DVM, Ph.D., assistant professor in the department of genetics, cell biology and anatomy.
- Olamide Alabi is a sophomore at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She is studying with Howard Gendelman, M.D., Purtilo professor of pathology and microbiology and director of the Center for Neurovirology and Neurodegenerative Disorders.
- Denesha Jaggers is a junior at Grambling University majoring in pre-medicine. She is studying with Thomas Rosenquist, Ph.D., vice chancellor for research.
- Andrea Gomes is a sophomore at UNL majoring in pre-medicine. She is studying with Tony Hollingsworth, Ph.D., professor at the Eppley Institute.
- Lindsey Trevino is a junior at the College of St. Mary majoring in pre-medicine. She is studying with Jamboor Vishwanatha, Ph.D., professor in the department of biochemistry and molecular biology.
- Fernanda Ruiz is a junior at the College of St. Mary majoring in pre-medicine. She is studying with Surinder Batra, Ph.D., assistant professor in the department of biochemistry and molecular biology.
Photos in descending order: 1) From left, Denesha Jaggers, Omar Acres, Tasia Hurd, Olamide Olabi, Calvin Spellmon, Sadari Fisher, Lindsey Trevino, Samuel Wilcinot and Fernanda Ruiz;
2) Ione Rone;
3) Andrea Gomes.