2020 Health Disparities & Cancer Research Summer Internship
This summer the University of Minnesota Medical School Program in Health Disparities Research (PHDR) and the Masonic Cancer Center are hosting the 11th annual Health Disparities & Cancer Research Summer Internship program. This internship is designed to provide undergraduate students from Minnesota’s racial/ethnic minority and underrepresented communities an opportunity to gain hands-on research and clinical experiences pertaining to cancer, cancer disparities, and health disparities.
Program staff match interns with a faculty mentor prior to the start of the program. Each intern works with their mentor to design and complete a research project. The summer internship concludes with a poster session where interns present on their research projects.
Name: Kashif Uddin Qureshi
Mentor: Irina Stepanov
Hometown: Nairobi, Kenya
College Major: Biochemistry, Computer Science.
Year in school: Incoming Junior
Future plans (as of now): I hope to go to medical school and eventually become a surgeon.
Fun fact: I was born in Kenya and lived there for 18 years. or I've always wanted to be a pilot.
Name: Angela Kim
Mentor: Deanna Teoh
Hometown: Blaine, MN
College Major: Human Physiology and Asian and Middle Eastern Studies
Year in school: Incoming Senior
Future plans (as of now): My future plans involve heading to medical school in order to achieve my dream of becoming a medical oncologist that provides high-quality patient care.
Fun fact: I used to be an avid collector of 3D combination puzzles, owning around 23 puzzles.
Name: Annette Okafor
Mentor: David Haynes
Hometown: Eagan, Minnesota
College Major: B.S Biology, Minor in Gender & Women's Studies, University of Wisconsin
Year in school: Incoming senior
Future plans (as of now): Medical school, I want to get a dual MD/MPH degree and work as physician in underserved communities
Fun fact: I ran track & field for ten years, my favorite event was the hurdles (and I currently hold my high school record!)
Name: Menal Abdella
Mentor: DeAnn Lazovich
Hometown: Brooklyn Park, MN
College Major: Chemistry
Year in school: Incoming Sophomore, Macalester College
Future plans (as of now): Doctor or surgeon
Fun fact: I have a sibling who is 16 years younger than me
Name: Carlie Mell
Mentor: Rachel Vogel and Sue Everson-Rose
Hometown: Rush City, MN
College Major: Biology, Society, and Environment
Year in school: Rising senior
Future plans (as of now): Medicine
Fun fact: I love to bake and cross-stitch in my spare time
Name: Samia Ali
Mentor: Rebekah Pratt
Hometown: Saint Paul, MN
College Major: I am undecided about my major
Year in school: Incoming sophomore
Future plans (as of now): Figure out what I want to do because I have way too many interests
Fun fact: I love going to hockey games more than going to football games.
Name: Marcus Nordquist
Mentor: Helen Parsons
Hometown: Roseville, MN
College Major: Biology
Year in school: Incoming junior, University of St. Thomas
Future plans (as of now): I plan on applying to medical school and becoming a doctor in the future
Fun fact: I like to watch soccer.
Name: Zong Xiong
Mentor: Michele Allen
Hometown: Brooklyn Park, MN
College Major: Biochemistry Major
Year in school: Incoming Junior
Future plans (as of now): An aspiring health care worker in the medical/dental field
Fun fact: I used to be a part of a caroling group in high school
Name: Khalid Abdalla
Mentor: Brooke Cunningham
Hometown: Woodbury, MN
College Major: Biology
Year in school: Incoming Junior
Future plans (as of now): Pursue a career in medicine to tackle health inequities.
Fun fact: I can speak 2 and half languages. (English, Somali, and Arabic)
Name: Nongnut Thao
Mentor: DeAnn Lazovich
Hometown: Saint Paul, MN
College Major: Biology
Year in school: Incoming Junior, St. Olaf
Future plans (as of now): I'm not sure about my future plan but I would want to continue school
Fun fact: I like to bake
