Introducing the 2018 Class of the Young Scholars Summer Research Institute! This program hosted by the Samuel DuBois Cook Center on Social Equity, in collaboration with Durham Public Schools, offers high school and middle school students a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of academic research while exploring complex social issues and equity topics.
Meet Our Scholars
Each Scholar has completed a rigorous curriculum and culminated their experience by presenting a group presentation (Cohort 1), research poster (Cohort 2), and research paper (Cohort 3) on pressing social issues. Their projects, ranging from gender roles to beauty standards, are highlighted below. To learn more about our Scholars, view their individual profiles which showcase their project topics and the schools they attend.
Scholars in each cohort hail from various high schools and middle schools across Durham, bringing diverse perspectives and experiences to the program.
Cohort 1
Jimema Salinas
Project:
Gender Roles and Social Inequity
Education:
Josephine Dobbs Clement Early College High School
Johnathan Humphrey
Project:
Modern Slavery: Why Does It Still Exist In Us Prisons?
Education:
Northern Durham High School
Julius King
Project:
The Effects of Social Media Representation on Racial Identity, Perception, and Housing
Education:
North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics
Langston Brooks
Project:
The Effects of Social Media Representation on Racial Identity, Perception, and Housing
Education:
Charles E. Jordan High School
Maren Henry
Project:
The Impact of Racial Bias In Advanced Academia
Education:
Josephine Dobbs Clement Early College High School
Mareya Sanders
Project:
The Impact of Racial Bias In Advanced Academia
Education:
Hillside High School
Michael Jennings
Mya Parker
Project:
Gender Roles and Social Inequity
Education:
Northern Durham High School
Cohort 2
Akieliah Robinson
Project:
A is for Anxiety
Education:
Hillside High School
Alana Petifer
Project:
The Hidden Cost of High Fashion
Education:
Josephine Dobbs Clement Early College High School
Angeli Novio
Project:
Advertising: Failed Beauty Standards
Education:
Charles E. Jordan High School
Bethany Graham
Project:
The Invisible Girls
Education:
Northern Durham High School
Catherine Kiplagat
Project:
Is Representation Enough?
Education:
George Lucas Carrington Middle School
Ellison Graham
Project:
Healthcare in Black and White: Race, Longevity, and Life Expectancy
Education:
Northern Durham High School
Lauryn Futrell
Oyindamola Ajasa
Project:
Beyond the Numbers: Black Women in STEM
Education:
Durham School of the Arts
Cohort 3
Ákánké Mason-Hogans
Project:
The Achievement Gradient: The Effects of Colorism on Student Achievement in K-12 Schools
Education:
Josephine Dobbs Clement Early College High School
Ayden Lawrence (Visiting Scholar)
Project:
The Struggle to Find Healthy Food: The Creation of Food Deserts
Education:
Voyager Academy
Jenny Uba
Project:
Examining the Fast Food Industry and its Effects on Food Swamps
Education:
City of Medicine Academy
Kollin Brown
Project:
The African “American Dream”: The Destruction of the Black Wall Street
Education:
Hillside High School
Oluwatobi Adio
Project:
Taking A Look Into The Embedded Trap: Examining The Sexual Assault at Fraternity Parties
Education:
City of Medicine Academy
Samuel Philpott
Project:
The Depths of Our Racial Divide: A War Against Drugs and Subliminal Discrimination
Education:
Hillside High School
Sandra Santillan
Project:
Today and Tomorrow Beyond Bars: Mental Health in American Prisons and Jails
Education:
Hillside High School
Meet Our Team
The Young Scholars Summer Research Institute is driven by a dedicated team of staff, administrators, instructors, interns, teaching assistants, mentors, and volunteers who support the growth and success of our Scholars. Their collective expertise, passion, and commitment provide invaluable guidance throughout the program, fostering a nurturing environment for students to excel.
Below, you can explore the profiles of our team members to learn more about the people who help bring this program to life.
Institute Personnel
Alexandria Miller
Role:
Program Coordinator
Institution:
Cook Center, Duke University
Alison Edwards
Role:
Cohort 1 Instructor
Institution:
Durham Public Schools
Amazende Adi
Role:
Research Intern
Institution:
Hillside High School
Boluwatife Ajasa
Role:
Research Intern
Institution:
Durham School of Arts
Cheyenne Solorio
Role:
Cohort 2 Instructor
Institution:
John W. Neal Middle School
Daniel Bullock
Role:
Durham Public Schools Program Liaison
Institution:
Executive Director for Equity Affairs at Durham Public Schools
Elijah King
Role:
Research Intern
Institution:
Riverside High School
2018 Hank and Billye Suber Aaron Young Scholars Capstone Conference
On Monday, July 30, 2018, student participants of the Samuel DuBois Cook Center on Social Equity's Young Scholars Summer Research Institute presented their research before institute peers, university scholars, and Durham community members at the Nasher Museum of Art. Esteemed guests included keynote speaker Mrs. Billye S. Aaron of the Hank Aaron Chasing the Dream Foundation and members of the Cook family including Mrs. Sylvia Cook, Mr. Samuel DuBois Cook Jr. and his two children.
Capstone
Explore images from the Institute and Capstone Project Showcase.
