Student Scholars Team
Jakari Brown - Southern University and A&M College
Jakari Brown is a senior Agricultural Sciences major with a concentration in Pre-Veterinary Medicine from Alexandria, Louisiana. She is passionate about animal health, agricultural advancement, and increasing diversity within the veterinary profession. She currently serves as President of the Southern University chapter of MANRRS, Vice President of the Animal Science and Pre-Veterinary Club, and Director of Public Relations for the Student Government Association’s Senior Class Cabinet. As a Center of Excellence Scholar, Brown has strengthened her understanding of the connection between human sciences, food sciences, and veterinary medicine, particularly their collective impact on food safety, public health, and community well-being.
Through her academic studies, leadership experiences, and hands-on veterinary volunteer work, Brown has developed a strong interest in animal health, disease prevention, and agricultural education. She aspires to earn her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree and pursue mixed-animal practice. Her long-term goals include establishing veterinary practices and developing agricultural educational outreach opportunities that support rural and underserved communities. Through leadership, service, and veterinary medicine, she hopes to make a lasting impact on animal health, food safety, and the future of the veterinary profession.
Victoria Holder - Southern University and A&M College
Victoria Holder is a rising senior majoring in Nutrition, Health, and Wellness. Originally from Chicago, Illinois, and later relocating to Dallas, Texas, she has developed a strong passion for health, wellness, and service to others. Through her academic studies and community engagement, Victoria is committed to promoting healthier lifestyles and supporting the well-being of individuals and communities. Upon graduation, she plans to pursue a career in healthcare, where she hopes to make a meaningful and lasting impact by improving health outcomes and serving those in need.
Mia Shepherd - Southern University and A&M College
Mia Shepherd is a Mechanical Engineering student in the Honors College at Southern University and A&M College. She is actively involved in Army ROTC, NSBE, and SWE and is passionate about sustainability, community engagement, and environmental stewardship. Through the Garden Initiative, she hopes to learn more about gardening while making a positive impact in her community.
Makayla Eugene - North Carolina A&T State
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 - North Carolina A&T State
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.
Kayla Lawrence - North Carolina A&T State
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.
Loveth Ekedegba- Tuskegee University
Ms. Loveth Ekedegba is a Master Student with a strong passion for food science, nutrition, and functional food research. Her academic and research interests focus on the development and evaluation of innovative plant-based food products that promote health and wellness. She is particularly interested in the characterization of bioactive compounds and antioxidant properties of foods using advanced analytical techniques such as High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC).
Her research explores the nutritional and functional potential of legumes and other plant-based ingredients, with the goal of advancing sustainable, nutrient-dense food solutions that support consumer health. Through her commitment to scientific inquiry and evidence-based research, Loveth seeks to contribute to innovations in food science, product development, and public health while addressing current nutritional challenges.
Hilda Njogu - Tuskegee University
Hilda Njogu is a graduate student pursuing a Master’s degree in Food and Nutritional Sciences at Tuskegee University. Her research focuses on the utilization of organic foods, particularly fruits and vegetables, among historically underserved communities in the Alabama Black Belt. Through community and backyard gardening initiatives, she seeks to improve access to affordable organic produce while encouraging sustainable food systems and healthier dietary practices. Her work also explores the factors influencing food choices and access to nutritious foods in underserved populations
In addition to her academic work, Hilda has gained practical leadership and service experience in food service and catering management. She has managed teams in restaurant operations, recipe development, food safety compliance, hygiene management, and day-to-day food service administration. She is also an active member of the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), which has enabled her to stay engaged with current developments in food science and nutrition research.
Hilda regularly presents her research at professional and academic conferences, including the Professional Agricultural Workers Conference (PAWC) and conferences hosted by the Institute of Food Technologists. Through her academic and professional journey, she remains committed to advancing sustainable food systems, improving nutrition access, and supporting underserved communities through research and outreach.
