Introducing the 2023 Class of the 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 research paper (Cohort 2) on pressing social issues. Their projects, ranging from affirmative action to redlining, 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
Adaeze Ezuma-Igwe
Project:
How Lack of School Funding Affects Students of Colors Access to High- Quality Music Education
Education:
Durham School of the Arts
Adam El-Ramly
Ailani Alcantara
Project:
The Effects and Disparities of Socio Economic Status in Mental Health
Education:
Durham School of the Arts
Alina Mina Azhar
Project:
The Effects of Systematic Racism in Education on Technology and Engineering
Education:
Josephine Dobbs Clement Early College High School
Aniah Satterfield
Project:
Community Quicksand: The Impact of Food Swamps
Education:
Durham School of the Arts
Ashli Rose
Project:
Low- Income Adolescents Mental Health and Academic Progression
Education:
Charles E. Jordan High School
Avery Patterson
Project:
The Consequences of Redlining: Access to Education and Racial Demographics Today
Education:
Charles E. Jordan High School
Camila Lamas
Project:
The Impact of Historical Gender Discrimination on Women’s Health
Education:
Northern Durham High School
Cohort 2
Andrew Shan
Project:
Corporate Control: How Companies Manipulate Legal Systems for Profit
Education:
Charles E. Jordan High School
Ashley Romero-Love
Project:
How Restrictive Abortion Laws Impact the Mental, Physical, and Financial Well-Being of Low-Income Adolescents of Color
Education:
Durham School of the Arts
Jamil Ali
Project:
Afrocentric Education, Black Racial Congruence, and Fostering a Sense of Belonging: A Critical Examination of Education As a Whole For Black Children
Education:
Josephine Dobbs Clement Early College High School
Jordan Vereen
Project:
Catching Before They Fall: Using School Counseling to Uplift Black Boys
Education:
Josephine Dobbs Clement Early College High School
Kaleb Lucas
Project:
Locked and Loaded: A Closer Look at Juvenile Records and Background Checks
Education:
Durham School of the Arts
Kristopher Smith
Project:
All They See is Red: How Redlining Affected Black Generational Wealth
Education:
Durham School of the Arts
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
Iwinosa Idahor
Role:
Co-Program Liaison
Institution:
Student Equity, Engagement and Opportunity Coordinator with Durham Public Schools
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
Myriama Traore-Smith
Role:
Cohort 2 Instructor
Institution:
Durham Public Schools
Rachel Ruff
Role:
Teaching Assistant
Institution:
Fayetteville State University
Sandra Santillan
Role:
Teaching Assistant
Institution:
North Carolina State University
2023 Hank & Billye Suber Aaron Young Scholars Capstone
On July 31, 2023, the Samuel DuBois Cook Center on Social Equity at Duke University hosted its eighth annual Hank & Billye Suber Aaron Young Scholars Research Institute Capstone Conference. This event took place at the JB Duke Hotel where families, Duke faculty, and DPS teachers/officials gathered to engage with the scholars’ research.
The capstone keynote was given by Lauren Russell.
Capstone
Explore images from the Institute and Capstone Project Showcase.
