Introducing the 2022 Class of the Hank & Billye Suber Aaron 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 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 research poster (Cohort 1) and a research paper (Cohort 2) on pressing social issues. Their projects, ranging from gender bias to belonging, 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 across Durham, bringing diverse perspectives and experiences to the program.
Cohort 1
Abigal Courliss
Project:
Roe v. Wade and its Effects on Women’s Reproductive Health
Education:
Durham School of Technology
Andrew Shan
Project:
Gender Bias in The Criminal Justice System
Education:
Riverside High School
Ashley Romero-Love
Project:
The Impact of Restriction Abortion Laws for Low-Income Adolescents of Color
Education:
Durham School of the Arts
Giovannia Giagnacova
Project:
The Effects of Sexual Exploitation on the African American Community
Education:
Durham School of Technology
Jamil Ali
Project:
African Centered Agricultural Education: Creating Unique Learning Experiences In Schools for Black Urban Youth
Education:
Hillside High School
Jordan Vereen
Project:
Historically Black Colleges, and Career Development
Education:
Durham School of Technology
Kaleb Lucas
Project:
The Fallout of Gun Accessibility In Durham, and the Rest of Our Nation
Education:
Durham School of the Arts
Khaleel Jackson
Cohort 2
Camilla Zumaeta (Visiting Scholar)
Project:
The Importance of Content Diversity in Dermatological Practices
Education:
Marine Academy of Science and Technology (MAST) at Florida International University (FIU)
Eric Zumaeta (Visiting Scholar)
Project:
Outcomes of Implicit Bias and Algorithms
Education:
Marine Academy of Science and Technology (MAST) at Florida International University (FIU)
Judah Cannon (Visiting Scholar)
Project:
Black Players Matter
Education:
Trinity School Of Durham And Chapel Hill
Landon Futrell
Mikal Ali
Project:
Sense of Belonging Predicting Motivation in the Classroom
Education:
Hillside High School
Octavia Brown
Project:
Inequitable Academic Tracking: Effects on AP Class Enrollment
Education:
Charles E. Jordan High School
Victoria Morris
Project:
Separation from STEM: Factors that Hinder Elementary Children of Color
Education:
Josephine Dobbs Clement Early College High School
Meet Our Team
The Aaron 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
Keaundra Robinson
Role:
Co-Program Liaison
Institution:
Equity Leadership and Strategy Coordinator with Durham Public Schools
Lauren Casteen
Role:
Cohort 1 Instructor
Institution:
Durham Public Schools
Sandra Santillian
Role:
Teaching Assistant
Institution:
Wake Technical Community College
Shamia Truitt-Martin
Role:
Cohort 1 Instructor
Institution:
Durham Public Schools
2022 Hank and Billye Suber Aaron Young Scholars Capstone Conference
On July 25, 2022, the Duke University Samuel DuBois Cook Center on Social Equity hosted its Capstone Conference digitally for the eighth annual Hank and Billye Suber Aaron Young Scholars Research Institute. In addition to highlighting research from the latest cohort of Young Scholars, the Conference featured a keynote address from Fenaba R. Addo, Associate Professor of Public Policy at UNC College of Arts and Sciences and Faculty Affiliate of the Cook Center.
Capstone
Explore images from the Institute and Capstone Project Showcase.
