Introducing the 2016 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) or research poster (Cohort 2) on pressing social issues. Their projects, ranging from colorism to systematic racism, 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

Jenny Uba
Project:
Economic and Social Gender Inequalities in America
Education:
City of Medicine Academy

Jessica Uba
Project:
Colorism’s Impact on Society
Education:
City of Medicine Academy

Jyles Ruff
Project:
Global Wealth Exploitation of the U.S.
Education:
Riverside High School

Kaleya Stocks
Project:
Economic and Social Gender Inequalities in America
Education:
Northern High School

Kollin Brown
Project:
School-to-Prison Pipeline
Education:
Hillside High School

LaMar Mcneil
Project:
Causes of Intraracial Violence
Education:
Hillside High School

Leah Zachary
Project:
Impact of Immigration Legislation
Education:
Northern High School

Leryann White Hall
Project:
Legal Inequalities: Unequal Punishment for Crimes
Education:
City of Medicine Academy
Cohort 2

Amazende Adi
Project:
Education Not Incarceration: Education’s Influence in Higher Incarceration Rates on Black Youth
Education:
Hillside High School

Ammarah Haynes
Project:
American Ghettos and Brazilian Favelas: Systematic Racism in Housing
Education:
Hillside High School

Boluwatife Ajasa
Project:
Education in the Prison Industrial Complex
Education:
Durham School of the Arts

Elijah King
Project:
The Impact of Poverty and its Effect on the Ability to Learn in North Carolina
Education:
Charles E. Jordan High School

Emaje Singleton
Project:
Factors Perpetuating the Continuance of the Female Wage Gap
Education:
Kestrel Heights Charter School


Kyle Brown

Makayla O’Neal (Visiting Scholar)
Project:
L.G.B.T.Q.: The Economic Effects of HB2 on Transgender People
Education:
Wake County Schools
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

Addison Malone
Role:
Program Coordinator
Institution:
Cook Center, Duke University

Brittany Del Rosario
Role:
Cohort 2 Instructor
Institution:
Northern Durham High School

Daniel Bullock
Role:
Durham Public Schools Program Liaison
Institution:
Executive Director for Equity Affairs at Durham Public Schools




Kristalyn Cooksey
Role:
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Institution:
Duke University

Lauren Russell
Role:
Graduate Research Assistant
Institution:
Duke University
2016 Young Scholars Capstone Conference
The 2016 Young Scholars Summer Research Institute Capstone Conference was held Monday, August 1st, the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University in Durham, N.C. The conference gave young scholars the opportunity to showcase the results of their research completed during the institute by making oral or poster presentations including their findings. Superintendent of Durham Public Schools, Dr. Bert L’Homme, delivered opening remarks at the event, which brought together families, scholars, teachers, university faculty, and other community members.
Capstone
Explore images from the Institute and Capstone Project Showcase.