Bria plans to pursue an M.D. with interests in epidemiology, pharmacology, and mental health. Her interest in disease and epidemiology developed from her global travel experiences. Bria’s overall career goal is to become a physician and provide adequate healthcare to underdeveloped, underserved, and disadvantaged communities.

 

During her time at Howard, Bria has been blessed with many opportunities to participate in

volunteer and service projects, research, and internship programs. Before entering her freshman year, she participated in a 6-week program Pre-Freshman Academic Summer Enrichment Program. Upon completing her freshman year, Bria then went on to participate in the SMDEP at UT Health in Houston, TX. During her summers spent at home, Bria took advantage of the opportunity to shadow physicians at Tulane Medical Center and also to volunteer at Children’s Hospital of New Orleans. Bria also dedicated an entire week during her sophomore year to Howard University’s Alternative Spring Break in Detroit, MI, where she mentored high school students and helped them to prepare college resumes. There, Bria also served at a local adult literacy center to enhance basic reading and writing skills. She also spent several months employed as a laboratory assistant, working for the US Department of Agriculture where she maintained the database and was introduced to several scientific research methods and innovations.

 

In the spring of her sophomore year, Bria began conducting research under her mentor, Dr. Sonya Sobrian, from the Howard University School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, observing the effects of various drugs on cognitive development in neo-natal and adolescent rats. During her time at Howard, she was awarded a chance to attend the Brookhaven National Laboratory Mini-Semester Program in Upton, NY, where she completed a week of research that focused on exploring scientific and biomedical technologies that will advance medical interventions in the near future. In the spring of her junior year, Bria studied abroad at Richmond University in London, England. Upon returning to the United States, Bria was also chosen to be a YAALI fellow and travel to Ghana on a cultural immersion and service trip. After the trip, Bria became more consciously aware of the high prevalence of disparities in healthcare around the world.

 

Throughout her time at Howard, Bria has had many experiences that stemmed from the Center for Preprofessional Education. It has been a major influence in her path to medical school, where Bria was able to receive valuable resources (undergraduate advising, tutorial services, and medical school preparation) such as mock interviews, partnership with the Howard Chapter of the Student National Medical Association, and a Kaplan MCAT course. The Center has provided a backbone, supportive system throughout Bria’s time at Howard. The CPE has also employed Bria as a tutor through the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation, that supports and promotes diversity in education in STEM fields. There, Bria tutors students in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics courses. It was here where she learned how much she truly enjoyed helping others succeed.

 

Bria received the Howard University Laureate Scholarship based her status as a National Achievement Scholar. She is also a member of the COAS Honors Program and was also inducted into the National Society of Collegiate Scholars after her first semester at Howard. Bria is also a member of the Howard Chapter of the National Council of Negro Women, the Louisiana Club, and the Health Professions Society, where she served on the Executive Board as Historian during her junior year. Bria has also been awarded Dean’s Honor Roll each year of her enrollment. In addition, she also plans to graduate Magna Cum Laude.