In Action
Answering the Call: Clarence Kong, MS ’14, a longtime student leader, joined other City University of New York medical students, to put together CunyMed_Toks, an important social media resource for those who have COVID-related questions about everything from the virus to vaccines. Clarence was recently matched for residency in emergency medicine at North Shore University Hospital/Long Island Jewish Medical Center. Congratulations Clarence!
Navigating Success: Nicole Schreiber, MS ’18, helped launch the start-up, Collmark, a college preparatory service that connects prospective college students with undergraduate students at the universities they hope to attend. Through the extensive networking of Nicole and others, including other Milken Scholars, Collmark can arrange for one-on-one counseling sessions to offer great advice on a variety of subjects. Great job!
Positive Research: Monica Trujillo-Jamison, MS ’02 was recently promoted to Senior Vice President at Screen Engine/ASI and is heading its Multicultural Group. In this role, Monica consults with and provides market research solutions to entertainment companies and producers to create compelling and relevant content for diverse audiences. She is looking forward to helping amplify the voices of diverse consumers and advocate for authentic representation in entertainment. Congratulations Monica!
Breaking News: Khadijah Sharif-Drinkard, MS ’89, is joining ABC News as Senior Vice President for Business Affairs. Khadijah brings years of executive experience from BET and Nickelodeon to her new role, where she will negotiate and oversee the planning of talent deals for ABC News’ on-air talent and senior editorial staff as well as a growing number of production, digital and content license agreements. Congratulations Khadijah!
Big Step in Biotech: Congratulations to Angela She, MS ’08, for starting a new position as Chief of Staff at Viridian Therapeutics, Inc. Angela will be working in on life-changing projects for this cutting edge biotechnology company advancing new treatments for patients suffering from serious diseases but underserved by today’s therapies.
Big City Moves: Congratulations are in order for Manny Yekutiel, MS ’07, who has been appointed to the seven-person San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency’s (SFMTA) Board of Directors. Manny is one of two new members of the board and is the small business owner of Manny’s. The goal of his restaurant, coffee bar, bookstore, and civic gathering space, is to “create a central and affordable place to become a better informed and more involved citizen.” He will continue this goal as a citizen leader helping to address San Francisco’s public transportation needs.
Inauguration Highlight: One of the highlights of the presidential inauguration was delivered at the podium by National Youth Poet Laureate of the United States and Milken Scholar, Amanda Gorman, MS ’16, as she recited her poem, “The Hill We Climb,” before tens of millions of viewers and history. Amanda became the youngest poet laureate to speak at a presidential inauguration and her words will echo for many years to come.
Marshaling a Future in Neuroscience and Global Health: Please join us in giving Evelyn Wong, MS ’17, a much-deserved round of applause for her selection as a Marshall Scholar! The scholarship is vied for across the country, and Evelyn joins a class of only 50 soon-to-be graduates. Receiving a fully-funded master’s degree at the University College London, she will be studying neuroscience among the best in the world. Inspired by her East LA roots, she hopes to become a physician and scientist with a focus on health outcomes for refugees worldwide. Let us all celebrate Evelyn’s extraordinary achievement.
Developing Global Solutions: Congratulations to Namra Zulfiqar, MS ‘17, for being awarded the Yale University Kerry Fellowship! Along with 21 graduate students and only 4 other Yale undergrads, Namra will work in a team to creatively find answers for international issues like climate change and authoritarian populism. Under the head of former Secretary of State John Kerry, the Fellows will have freedom to conduct their own research, oriented toward global diplomacy and large-scale change. You can find more information about the Fellowship and its 2020 awardees here.
Public Health and Racial Equity: Tresha Gibbs, MS ’98, authored a study outlining the vast health disparities experienced by Black Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the Psychiatric Times paper, she dives into how deep-seated economic and social inequalities have created dangerous conditions for the country’s black individuals and families. Discussing mental illness stigmatization and barriers to health care, Tresha lays out the most viable opportunities to intervene: Build trust and social support, balance risk, and open access to services. Read the eye-opening article in its entirety here!