Student Scholars Team
Destinae Davis - Southern University and A&M College
Destinae Davis is an Agricultural Science major with a Pre-Veterinary concentration at Southern University and A&M College, maintaining a GPA of 3.48. She is deeply passionate about animal health and sustainable agriculture, aiming to contribute to both fields through her education and hands-on experience. Since 2023, Destinae’ has worked closely with the Center of Excellence for for 3 years, supporting health initiatives and community gardening efforts. She also volunteers at Hammond Animal Hospital, assisting with veterinary tasks and client care. Additionally, she gained valuable experience as a Summer Soil Conservationist with the USDA NRCS, helping farmers implement sustainable land practices.
Destinae’ interned at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, researching the microbiome's impact on human health. She has presented at multiple conferences, including the 1890 Center of Excellence Symposium and George Washington Carver Lecture Series.
As a USDA 1890 National Scholar, Destinae’ is involved in several campus organizations, including Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., the Animal Science and Pre-Vet Club, and MANRRS, and serves as Co-Chair for the NAACP. Her academic and extracurricular activities make her a promising future leader in veterinary medicine and sustainable agriculture.
Kayla Lawrence - Southern University and A&M College
Kaila Lawrence is a sophomore Human Nutrition student from Long Island, New York. In her free time, she enjoys reading, crocheting, and dancing. Her interest in health disparity stems from my yearning to heal people. "It might be cliche, but it is sincere, and nutrition is the most exciting route for me to do that," says Lawrence. Her professional goal is to become a Registered Dietitian and cure chronic diseases through nutrition.
Makayla Eugene - Southern University and A&M College
Makayla Eugene is a second-year Honors Agribusiness student from Brandywine, Maryland as well as a fifth-generation farmer. Her interest and passion for diet and health disparity stems from her agricultural background. She has had active experience in assisting her family in working to understand and develop conservation and livestock production plans with local, state, and federal officials and She hopes to use this experience as well as the research experience she have obtained to reach her future goal. This goal is to work on the front lines to decrease the long-term effects of both economic and food inequity in the minority community.
Aniiya Turner - Southern University and A&M College
Aniiya Turner is a freshman Human Nutrition Major. She chose to partake in this research project because she have an immense respect and interest when it comes to equal access healthcare and preventative measures when it comes to chronic disease. She grew up with a mother who is an LPN transitioning to become a registered nurse and grandparents who suffer from chronic diseases like epilepsy. With that being said she has first hand knowledge from both sides, the patient and the caretaker and plans to apply those perspectives to this assignment.
