Welcome to Myra and Laila, our summer undergraduate scholars!

Myra Lewis and Laila Lawson have joined us as summer undergraduate scholars for the summer. In partnership with Howard University in Washington, DC, this program hosts students with an interest in pursuing careers in medicine, health and research.

Originally from Suffield, Connecticut, Laila Lawson is a Health Science major with a minor in Maternal and Child Health at Howard University. Laila's long term career goal is to become an obstetrician-gynecologist. At Howard, Laila is involved in the Advancing Diversity in Aging Research, directed by Dr. Atanu Duttaroy, and the Health Profession Society. During her time in the Frost lab, Laila is working with PhD student Lulu Schulz on a project focused on Drosophila Arc1, a postsynaptic and nuclear protein that is elevated as a consequence of tau pathology. Outside of academics, Laila enjoys staying active through fitness, hanging out with friends, watching psychological thrillers and attending outdoor events (marathons, pop-up markets, music festivals).

Hailing from Charlotte, North Carolina, Myra Lewis is a sophomore at Howard University majoring in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. Myra's long-term career goal is to become a dermatologist. She is an active member of multiple organizations at Howard, including the Health Professions Society and the Ooh La La! Danceline. For her summer project in the Frost lab, Myra is working with PhD candidate Claira Sohn to investigate MKL1 in the context of tau-mediated neurotoxicity.

We are thrilled to have Myra and Laila join us for the summer!