Sushant Kumar, PhD, a postdoctoral scholar in Hematology and Oncology, has been recognized as one of nine emerging scientists for the 2022 Young Investigator Draft Class by Uplifting Athletes, a nonprofit organization that funds collaborative basic bench research in order to positively impact treatments and potential cures for the rare disease community. The Young Investigator Draft, inspired by the NFL Draft, recognizes the next generation of promising young medical researchers in the rare disease space. Kumar was nominated by the Aplastic Anemia and MDS International Foundation and is the recipient of a $20,000 unrestricted grant prize for rare disease research. He joined the laboratory of Daria V. Babushok, MD, PhD, an assistant professor of Hematology and Oncology, to conduct his postdoctoral research on rare bone marrow failure disorders. His long-term goal is to become an independent investigator and to apply his research training to solve the challenging scientific problems in rare immune diseases.
Elle Lett, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow and medical student, won the 2021 Rising Black Scientists Award for a post-graduate scholar by Cell Press and Cell Signaling Technology. For the award, Cell asked emerging Black scientists to share the experiences that sparked their interest in life sciences, their vision, and goals, and how they want to contribute to a more inclusive scientific community. Lett was chosen by a selection committee of Cell Press editors and an academic advisory board comprised of scientists and scholars who all recognized her potential and were moved by her insightful essay. Read Lett's story here.
