Biomedical Graduate Student Ambassadors

Evelyn Anaafi Amoabeng
eamoaben@wakehealth.edu

Program: Medical Physics MS

Hometown: Ghana

Undergraduate School: University for Development Studies

Why Wake? After reading about the Medical Physics program at Wake I got to understand that the program is built of the fundamentals of physics but engrossing on application to medicine.

Mary Atkisson
matkisso@wakehealth.edu

Program: Biomedical Science MS

Hometown: Prince Frederick, Maryland. I also grew up overseas, so my hometown was also Accra, Ghana; Paris, France; and Montreal, Canada

Undergraduate School: University of Maryland, College Park

Why Wake? I came to wake to experience personalized learning and to further prepare myself for medical school. I wanted to go somewhere where people shared similar interests and drives. As a graduate student at Wake, I have been to work with physicians and learn more about medicine! It has been the best decision I have made in my career (so far!).

Madison Badje
mbadje@wakehealth.edu

Program: Genetic Counseling MS

Hometown: Omaha, Nebraska

Undergraduate School: University of Nebraska-Omaha

Why Wake? When considering all my options for graduate school, Wake Forest was my riskiest choice. It was the furthest away from home, and I had no family or friends in the area. However, when I interviewed with Wake I felt comfortable. All the faculty were very engaging and truly wanted to get to know me beyond my application. They got to know me as a person and it was evident that they wanted a well-rounded person, not just someone who looks good on paper. There were also several unique aspects of the program that drew me in including its focus on ethical situations and the different options to complete the capstone project. Even though the program is only in its second year I have been very satisfied of my time here. An additional benefit to Wake is the location! I love being in North Carolina and being within driving distance of both the beach and mountains. 

Amaya Bailey
ambailey@wakehealth.edu

Program: Biomedical Science MS

Hometown: Creedmoor, NC

Undergraduate School: Spelman College

Why Wake? Wake advertised a dynamic program that equipped students with the tools to be successful in the medical profession. After undergrad, I did not feel that I was ready to make the leap into medical school, and I desired to matriculate through a program that resembled the rigor of medical school courses. Since joining the program, I have developed a devout love for this institution. Wake is the first institution to offer me something that supersedes education. They have offered me family, a network of individuals who are always willing to help and mentor me in any way they can. In addition, I have developed incredible bonds with my cohort, allowing me to grow in ways I could never imagine. I have never felt so much support and comradery at an academic institution.

Taniya Ballard
tsballard@wakehealth.edu

Program: Biomedical Science MS

Hometown: Military Brat (GA, Japan, OK, TX, MD)

Undergraduate School: Winston-Salem State University

Why Wake? I enjoyed networking with the Biomedical Science and School of Medicine staff, connecting with peers and felt welcomed during my time interning as an undergraduate in the ENGAGED program. Continuing my education and pursuing a master’s degree through the Biomedical Science program felt like the right decision for me.

Jordis Blackburn
jeblackb@wakehealth.edu

Program: Biomedical Engineering PhD

Hometown: Maryville, TN

Undergraduate School: NC State

Why Wake? Following my undergraduate career at Tennessee, I knew that I wanted to continue my passion for research in the regenerative medicine field. After attending the BMES conference and visiting the Wake Forest table, I learned about the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM) and knew this was the place I wanted to be. I have been extremely impressed by the collaborative approach that WFIRM takes because it allows me to interact with many different people outside of my research focus. I have also enjoyed the city of Winston-Salem because of the hiking nearby, the Saturday farmer’s market, and the many events around town.

Jessica Bodie
jbodie@wakehealth.edu

Program: Biomedical Research MS

Hometown: Richmond, VA

Undergraduate School: North Carolina State

Why Wake? After graduating from a large university, I knew I wanted to attend a smaller school for my graduate work. The low student-faculty ratio at Wake Forest has allowed me to form close relationships and have mentors that care about my personal and professional development. 

Bailey Brennen
bbrennen@wakehealth.edu

Program: Biomedical Engineering PhD

Hometown: New Hartford, NY

Undergraduate School: Clarkson University

Why Wake? Having previously spent a summer at the Wake Forest Institute of Regenerative Medicine, I was captivated by the cutting-edge research and the collaborative environment. The intersection among researchers, faculty, and students allowed for a dynamic environment where ideas seamlessly intersect, fostering innovative approaches to scientific inquiry. The unique blend of pioneering research and a collaborative community solidified Wake Forest as my top choice for graduate school.

Nicholas Constantinesco
njconsta@wakehealth.edu

Program: Biomedical Science MS

Hometown: Brooklyn, NY

Undergraduate School: University of Pittsburgh

Why Wake? As someone who plans to attend medical school and spent about two years after undergrad conducting basic science research, I knew pursuing a master’s degree would be a perfect segue into my medical journey. When researching programs, I discovered Wake’s BMSC program which is set up exactly for people like me. Wake is a well-renowned research institution and provides its students with opportunities to get involved in world-class research. Part of our degree requirements includes conducting a year-long research project that aims to solve a problem that ultimately improves the practice of medicine for groups who are underserved. Furthermore, throughout the application process, during interviews, and even in class with professors, it was abundantly clear that the faculty and staff here care deeply for their students, want to see us succeed, and plan to support us in every way throughout our studies. Our program is tightly knit, and each student has a close, personal relationship with the program faculty. Feeling welcomed and part of a collaborative community was a top priority of mine when searching for programs. I truly believe when students are valued and supported like they are here at Wake, there is nothing we cannot achieve.

Humphrey Dogbe
hdogbe@wakehealth.edu

Program: Biomedical Science MS

Hometown: Charlotte, NC

Undergraduate School: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Why Wake? Wake is a nationally recognized program that offered a small class size, which allows for close-knit connections between the cohort and faculty. In addition, with a connection to a teaching hospital (Wake Forest Baptist), Wake offered me opportunities for shadowing, community engagement, and research. Winston Salem is beautiful too, especially at Salem Lake and the Arts District. Plus, there is always something to do in the area!

Evelyn Feng
jufeng@wakehealth.edu

Program: Addiction Research and Clinical Health MS

Hometown: Beijing, China

Undergraduate School: Wake Forest University

Why Wake? I chose to continue my higher education at Wake because I had a good experience as an undergraduate student on the Reynolda Campus and working with researchers on the Biomedical campus. I have always been interested in all kinds of research since I was an undergraduate student, and Wake Forest provided a good platform of opportunities for learning and gaining research experience. I was first in the Neuroscience MS program and participated in Nonhuman Primates electrophysiology research. I then transferred into Addiction Research and Clinical Health program and started doing clinical research because my interest shifted towards addiction counseling.

Leslie Granados
lgranado@wakehealth.edu

Program: Biomedical Science MS

Hometown: Benson, NC

Undergraduate School: Wake Forest University

Why Wake? Having graduated from Wake Forest with my Bachelors degree, I knew I wanted to return to my alma mater for graduate school. In my four years, I developed great relationships amongst my peers and professors – those of which I can continue to maintain throughout my Masters. I always had a great amount of support with faculty, and I knew this was something that I would continue to have in graduate school. Whether it is for professional or personal development, there is always someone to help us along the way. Wake’s academics have allowed me to pursue many things that I was not comfortable in, like research. Research is now one of my favorite things. Being a part of Wake has allowed me to dive deeper into my interest and continue my ongoing projects and community service, specifically within the Hispanic/Latinx community. This program challenges me and is allowing me to become a competitive candidate for my future academic endeavors.

Deylon Harkey
dharkey@wakehealth.edu

Program: Biomedical Science MS

Hometown: Clover, SC

Undergraduate School: Wofford College

Why Wake? I had heard a lot about Wake Forest, especially as a pre-med in undergrad. The school of medicine is a great school, and ultimately, provided me with a great opportunity to network, as well as further my academics on my journey to medical school. I felt very heard and wanted at Wake. I also grew up in the surrounding area, so I knew that I would have a great support system, not only at Wake, but also close-by with family and friends.

Justin Napolitano
jmnapoli@wakehealth.edu

Program: Medical Physics MS/PhD

Hometown: Deer Park, NY – Waxhaw, NC

Undergraduate School: Clemson University

Why Wake? I joined Wake’s Medical Physics program for the opportunity to learn from the accomplished faculty and staff in a highly active clinical environment.

Tyler Parrish
typarris@wakehealth.edu

Program: Biomedical Research MS

Hometown: Durham, NC

Undergraduate School: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Why Wake? I chose Wake for its welcoming community that is dedicated to helping students blossom and excel. As someone who went to a large undergraduate university, I greatly appreciate how engaged I can be at Wake, as well as how they have many resources to help students succeed both in academia and in their own wellness. There are many opportunities for improving my research skills in amazing facilities, as well as for building a solid network of peers. Additionally, the world class faculty is doing exciting, innovating research on the forefront of biomedical science, which I wanted to be involved with. The faculty I met before accepting my admissions offer were very open to chat about their work, and through talking with several students I learned that they foster a friendly work environment yet also consistently challenge students to help them grow—something that I now can attest to firsthand. Also, my program, Biomedical Research (BMR) was a good fit for me, as BMR’s a la carte approach to classes allows students with various interests, like me, to find their best fit by taking classes from many of the PhD programs (which also count towards program requirements if you choose to continue at Wake for your PhD!) Adding to that, Wake offers a lot of great career preparedness training through courses like GRAD 715, which helps us figure out what careers are good fits for us, both inside and beyond academia.

Luis Poveda
lpoveda@wakehealth.edu

Program: Biomedical Engineering MS/PhD

Hometown: Bogota, Colombia

Undergraduate School: Universidad del Rosario

Why Wake? I chose Biomedical Engineering at Wake Forest because of its partnership with Virginia Tech. I believe collaborative work is great! Also, the existing research projects are unique and really caught my attention.

Hannah Pugh
hpugh@wakehealth.edu

Program: Biomedical Science MS

Hometown: Holden Beach, NC

Undergraduate School: High Point University

Why Wake? I selected Wake Forest because it offered an ideal environment to further my education, providing abundant opportunities for both research and networking with fellow students, faculty, and potential mentors. I can say that the faculty here is deeply committed to nurturing our education and equipping us with the necessary tools to pursue and achieve our future aspirations in the healthcare field.

Ariana Pirzadeh
apirzade@wakehealth.edu

Program: Addiction Research and Clinical Health MS

Hometown: Raleigh, NC

Undergraduate School: UNC – Chapel Hill

Why Wake? I am in the Addiction Research and Clinical Health MS program at WFU, but I was previously in the MS Neuroscience program. I switched halfway through because I realized that wasn’t the best fit for me, and have found my home in this program. Because of that experience, I am incredibly passionate about listening to your intuition and doing what is best for you and your goals. A few of the reasons I wanted to go to WFU was because there are so many opportunities to learn and explore your interests, as well as create connections with and learn from so many incredible people. I’m so glad to be at Wake and I’m excited to share more about this school with others!

Ankith Rao
ajrao@wakehealth.edu

Program: Biomedical Science MS

Hometown: Morrisville, NC

Undergraduate School: UNC – Chapel Hill

Why Wake? As an NC native, I grew up around UNC & Duke’s Level I Trauma Centers daydreaming of being a part of the Emergency Medicine team. Personally, I think a chain is only as strong as its weakest link and I know I haven’t grown enough to be a strong link in that chain. I chose Wake Forest’s Biomedical Science MS to deepen my skills and join the team I’ve long watched and supported from the sidelines. While I can’t be better than every physician out there, I can consistently choose to be better than myself and, after a semester at Wake, I know this was the best place to do so.

Mia Simpson
msimpson@wakehealth.edu

Program: Biomedical Science MS

Hometown: Durham, NC

Undergraduate School: East Carolina University

Why Wake? I wanted to go to school that felt like a community and felt where I belonged. I missed that experience during undergrad and wanted to get that through grad school!

Bryson Staley
bstaley@wakehealth.edu

Program: Biomedical Science MS

Hometown: North Carolina State University

Undergraduate School: NC State

Why Wake? As a native to NC, Wake Forest is seen as a pillar of higher learning and excellence in health care, and this program provided me with the opportunity to be taught by those that have impacted the medical community to such a great extent.

Kala Williams
kalawill@wakehealth.edu

Program: Biomedical Science MS

Hometown: Kings Mountain, NC

Undergraduate School: University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Why Wake? Wake is an institution invested in my success. In every aspect of my road to medicine the faculty and staff have been here to assist and encourage me. Wake has provided me with amazing mentors and advisors. The biomedical science program has given me the opportunity to broaden my course knowledge and get hands on research experience. This program has also given me a supportive cohort where I have developed life-long friendships.