OMRF announces 62nd class of Fleming Scholars
The Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation has chosen 13 Oklahoma high school and college students as Sir Alexander Fleming Scholars for 2017.
The students in the 62nd class of Fleming Scholars were selected after a competitive statewide application and interview process. They will spend eight weeks working side by side with OMRF scientists on research projects covering subjects such as autoimmune disease, cancer and cardiovascular disease.
At the program’s conclusion, the scholars will author scientific papers and deliver presentations to OMRF’s scientific staff.
“This unique program brings a sense of excitement to our labs every summer, reinvigorating our staff while also providing a oncein-a-lifetime opportunity for these bright students to get hands-on experience in a lab setting,” OMRF Fleming Scholar Program coordinator Heather Hebert said.
“The experience allows students to see if a career in science or medicine is in their future, while also providing them with invaluable skills they can use in any career path.”
Since its launch in 1956, the program has provided nearly 600 Oklahoma students with a firsthand look at careers in research and medicine. The program is named in honor of British scientist Sir Alexander Fleming, who discovered penicillin and came to Oklahoma City in 1949 to dedicate OMRF’s first building.
Two senior scientists, Drs. Judith James and Rodger McEver, started their research careers as Fleming Scholars. James is program chairman of OMRF’s Arthritis and Clinical Immunology Program, and McEver is the foundation’s vice president of research.
The 2017 Fleming Scholars, their hometowns and current schools are:
• Abigail Ballard, Norman, Austin College
• Monica Davis, Jones, Northern Oklahoma College
• Madeline Gish, Edmond, Hillsdale College
• Kari Hall, Edmond, University of Oklahoma
• Keirah Jefferson, Moore, Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics
• Kristy Johnson, Blanchard, Oklahoma State University
• Jarett Lewis, Edmond, Bishop McGuinness High School
• James Li, Edmond, Washington University in St. Louis
• Han Li, Oklahoma City, Westmoore High School
• Joshua Ross, Pryor, Oklahoma State University
• William Towler, Edmond, Oklahoma State University
• Henry Unterschuetz, Tulsa, University of Oklahoma
• Kobby Wiafe, Bethany, Baylor University
For more information on the Fleming Scholar Program, go to www. omrf.org/fleming.