Student Spotlight Initiative

The Online Education and Expanded Programs Student Spotlight Initiative strives to recognize the academic & professional success of online students. Each student has been recommended by faculty, and has displayed excellence in and outside the educational setting.

Students in the Spotlight

Student Bios

• Shannon Alston
  
  

  

  Where are you from?

  Rocky Mount, North Carolina

  Why did you choose MSM programs?
  The biotechnology program conveniently offers everything I need in one year to help prepare me for a more advanced career as well as advancing my education. 

  Which program are you enrolled?
  Master of Science in Biotechnology

  What are your interests and goals?

  My goals and interests include research in cancer specifically rare cancers. My overall goal one day is to become a Physician Assistant or Medical Doctor specializing in Oncology.

  Can you tell us more about your background?
  I received my BS in Biology from North Carolina Central University. Six months after graduation, I started working at Hospira which is now known as Pfizer. I worked there for five years as a Biological Quality Lab Analyst. I have also worked as a Quality Control Microbiologist II at Seqirus.

  How has this program prepared you for what is next for you?
  This program has helped me in preparing me for the next level of my education as well as providing me with the opportunity to advance my career in the biotechnology field. 

  Can you provide us with any positive experiences from attending MSM?
  MSM has provided many positive experiences. Daily opportunities for employment, internships, and other resources are provided for student and professional development. This program is only the beginning of many doors to be opened for me and for that, I am grateful.

• Danielle Duvernay

  

  Where are you from?
  New Orleans, Louisiana
  
  Why did you choose MSM programs?
  As an employee, I was aware of how supportive MSM was to its students. Therefore, I was invested in enrolling in a master’s program where I worked. 

  Which program are you enrolled?
  Master of Science in Health Informatics

   

  What are your interests and goals?
  Interested in understanding the processes and mechanisms which lead to health disparities in the Black Community and among communities of color. Also, what can be done to mitigate those disparities. 

  Can you tell us more about your background?
  I am currently the Program Coordinator for Morehouse School of Medicine's H.E.A.L. (Health Equity for All Lives) student-run free clinic and for the Office of Community Engagement. I have been an employee of Morehouse School of Medicine for over 15 years and have worked in various departments and areas such as Family Medicine, Student Employee Health Services, and Morehouse Healthcare.

  How has this program prepared you for what is next for you?
  It was a pleasant surprise to discover that my health care work experiences, exposure, and interactions over the years often appear in our coursework. I was grateful to realize that so much of my knowledge and skills were applicable to the concepts to which we are studying. 

  Can you provide us with any positive experiences from attending MSM?
  My MSM family has been amazingly supportive of my career and specifically encouraged me to pursue a Master's Degree. I greatly appreciated MSM's creation of the Bridge to Health Informatics Summer Pipeline program which exposed me to Health Informatics. Also, I thoroughly enjoyed all aspects of the pipeline program from the support staff to the instructors, to the projects to which we were exposed.

• Jailyn Powers

  

  Where are you from?
  Inglewood, California
  
  Why did you choose MSM programs?
  I was fortunate enough to experience the summer pipeline in 2020 and continued in January of this year. I chose MSM because I wanted to experience something great. I knew I would be challenged, but I was ready!
  

  Which program are you enrolled?
  Master of Science in Biotechnology
  
  What are your interests and goals?
  I am interested in research and teaching. My goal is to get my peers interested in science. We need more people in healthcare that want to see real results.
  
  Can you tell us more about your background?
  For my undergraduate studies, I attended The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (HBCU PRIDE) where I obtained my Bachelor of Science in Biology. Currently, I work for a Pathology Lab but would like to switch over to teaching.
  
  How has this program prepared you for what is next for you?
  This program has opened my eyes to the different routes in Biotechnology and how fast it is growing. Also, having teachers that care about you and want to see you succeed has inspired me to pursue teaching. 
  
  Can you provide us with any positive experiences from attending MSM?
  A positive experience would be the White Coat ceremony. I finally met my classmates and staff, and seeing everyone from different programs really made me smile.