News and Information
Emory University
Atlanta, GA 30322

Release date: June 30, 1999
Contact: Deb Hammacher, Assistant Director

Emory's SURE Program Trains Future Scientists

For the 10th consecutive year, Emory University's Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) is providing valuable hands-on scientific research experience for 75 college and university students from across the country, mainly from groups underrepresented in the sciences. During the course of 10 weeks, each participant conducts an independent research project under the supervision of an Emory faculty member.

The goal of the SURE program is to encourage students, particularly women and minorities, to pursue careers in the science field. "The need is great," according to Pat Marsteller, biology faculty member and director of SURE. From 1975 to 1998, the percentage of minorities in graduate science programs only increased from 3.7 to 5 percent, yet African Americans and Hispanics represent more than 20 percent of the U.S. population."

Participants focus on the various aspects of scientific research, such as the ethical implications of research, the development of grant applications for pre-doctoral support for careers in science, exploration of what science careers entail, and preparation- for the myriad science careers available. In addition to the valuable experience that each student gains, many SURE participants earn prestigious graduate fellowships.

The 75 SURE participants were chosen from 460 applicants based on their academic merit, recommendations and potential for research. At the end of the program, students will present their "posters," summaries of their findings, 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. August 6 at the Coca-Cola Commons in Dobbs University Center, 605 Asbury Circle, Emory. The poster session will run in conjunction with the Atlanta-area teachers who are currently participating in the Georgia Internships For Teachers program.

Support for the SURE program comes from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the National Science Foundation, Emory's Graduate Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, the Yerkes Primate Research Center, and research faculty who are contributing funds from their own research programs and granting institutions.

Below is a listing of participants of the SURE program:

Student, Hometown, Home campus

Aaron Fox, Schenectady, NY (12303), Emory University

Angela C. Parsons, Peru, IL (61354), Illinois Wesleyan University

Anil K. Puri, Milledgeville, GA (31061), Emory University

Ayana M. Hunter, Detroit, MI (48224), Spelman College

Azzari C. Caillier, Carencro, LA (70520), Xavier University of Louisiana

Benjamin L. Studebaker, Falmouth, VA (22405), College of William and Mary

Blake E. Pearson, Birmingham, AL (35243), Emory University

Brianne J. Gorod, Charleston, SC (29407), Emory University

Bridgett L. Hoepner, Eau Claire, WI (54703), Mercer University

Carmen Anderson, Columbia, SC (29202), Emory University

Catherine A. Madorin, Farmington, CT (06032), Emory University

Christopher A. Klebanoff, Alpharetta, GA (30022), Emory University

Christopher A. Barker, Orlando, FL (32804), Emory University

Christopher W. Bergen, Savannah, GA (31419), Emory University

Chun-Hsiang (Jonathan) Chang, Dallas, TX (75287), Emory University

Claude D. Jarrett, Stone Mountain, GA (30087), Xavier University of Louisiana

Corine M. Hyman, Morrow, GA (30260), Morris Brown College

Courtney J. Balentine, Des Moines, IA (50322), Emory University

Dana Oren, Salt Lake City, UT (84124), Emory University

Deanna Y. Ross, Americus, GA (31709), Emory University

Deepak K. Gupta, Dayton, OH (45459), Emory University

Demeka Y. Campbell, Huntsville, AL (35811), Tuskegee University

Dinesh V. Raju, Stone Mountain, GA (30087), Emory University

Don Hsiao, Nutley, NJ (07110), Emory University

Elena L. Mann, Lyons, GA (30436), Xavier University of Louisiana

Elizabeth R. Meade, Leesburg, FL (34788), Agnes Scott College

Emily A. Matthews , St. Petersburg, FL (33710), Emory University

Erica D. Louden, Chicago, IL (60617), Clark Atlanta University

Erika L. Morgan, Savannah, GA (31411), Emory University

Geetha D. Thirumala, Coral Springs, FL (33071), Emory University

Hyun-Suk Suh, Duluth, GA (30136), Emory University

James W. Murrough, Carlisle, MA (01741), Emory University

Jamie D. Kemp, Lexington, KY (40513-1467), University of Kentucky

Jerrod L. Wigall, Hendersonville, TN (37075), Emory University

Jessie S. Matthiesen, Brooklyn, NY (11220), SUNY Binghamton

John M. Ryan, Chesterland, OH (44026), Grove City College

Julie S. Alonso, Marietta, OH (30062), Emory University

Karen F. Vieira, Barbados, West Indies, Florida Institute of Technology

Katherine A. Stearns, Atlanta, GA (30342), Rice University

Kelly A. Healy, Ocala, FL (34470), Emory University

Kevin Khan, Oxon Hill, MD (20745), Morehouse College

Kimberly N. Carter, Decatur, GA (30034), Xavier University of Louisiana

LaKiesha M. Hampton, Atlanta, GA (30315), Clark Atlanta University

Larry R. Shannon, Mitchellville, MD (20721), Morehouse College

Latundra S. Maddox, Albany, GA (31707), Spelman College

Lauren Jo Pitkow, Doylestown, PA (18901), Emory University

Lisa M. Casanova, Tucson, AZ (85704), University of Arizona

Matthew J. Alef, Golf, IL (60029), Emory University

Meyer J. Friedman, Franklin, LA (70538), Tulane University

Michael J. Ward, Washington, DC (20007), Emory University

Michelle A. Schmitt, Macon, GA (31210), Emory University

Mirit R. Cohen, Westfield, NJ (07090), Rutgers University

Montenia Q. Anderson, Atlanta, GA (30311), Morris Brown College

Nathan L. Ferrell, Haralson, GA (30229), Paine College

Nicole D. Hamlin, Clairton, PA (15025), Spelman College

Nicole Y. Baumgarten, Duluth, GA (30097), Emory University

Pamela J. Barnes, Bowling Green, KY (42104), Bethune-Cookman College

Parizad Torabi, Atlanta, GA (30319), Emory University

Petrenia A. Davis, Atlanta, GA (70816), Spelman College

Philip J. Smelcer, Midway, TN (37809), Newberry College

Rakhee N. Vora, Chattanooga, TN (37412), Emory University

Rebecca C. Knickmeyer, Newport News, VA (23606), Goucher College

Rebecca C. Steiner, Olney, MD (20832), Emory University

Renel Thelamour, Sharpsburg, GA (30277), Morehouse College

Rina S. Santiago, Hialeah, FL (33013), Barry University

Robert W. Elder, Middlefield, CT (06455), Emory University

Shaya Taghechian, Tucker, GA (30084), Emory University

Shedra A. Snipes, Savannah, GA (31419), Emory University

Stacey R. Jeffries, Greensboro, AL (36744), Stillman College

Stephanie R. Mayrant, Duluth, GA (30155), Spelman College

Stephen A. Clark, Dallas, TX (75229), Morehouse College

Stuart A. Showalter, Goshen, IN (46526), Goshen College

Todd A. Eads, Georgetown, IN (47122), Indiana University

Vardhan Vasuki, Summerville, SC (29485), Emory University

William E. Humphries, Lithonia, GA (30038), Morehouse College

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