MEET THE TEAM
The Faces of Our Organization
BlackinCancer has developed so quickly in the last few months. We’re extremely proud of each and every member of the organising committee, not only for their scientific contributions to cancer research but also their ability to contribute their own unique experience and skills to our success. Find out more about some of our and co-founders and board of directors below.
DR HENRY HENDERSON III
Co-Founder
Dr. Henry J. Henderson is a cancer biologist and health-promotion advocate. He earned his PhD in Integrative Biosciences from Tuskegee University and is currently a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the division of Hematology/Oncology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. His research focuses on understanding non-small cell lung cancer and improving therapeutic strategies with a particular focus on mechanisms of sensitivity and resistance to agents used in clinical practice. As a dedicated champion of diversity in cancer research, he is additionally involved in strengthening scientific/medical literacy and increasing cancer awareness within the African-American community.
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SIGOURNEY BELL
Co-Founder
Sigourney is a second year graduate student at the University of Cambridge. She earned her Bachelors in Human Physiology from the University of Leeds and then went on to work for both Pfizer and AstraZeneca in Neuroscience and Oncology respectively. She is currently pursuing her PhD, with her research centring on developing novel models and therapeutics for paediatric brain tumours, more specifically supratentorial ependymoma. Outside of her research, Sigourney is passionate about scientific outreach and encouraging the next generation of Black students into STEM subjects.
Board of Directors
DR. JULIA MORRIS
Co-Director of Mentorship and Outreach
(UK)
Dr. Julia Morris is a molecular biologist, mentor and communicator of science. She is proud of her Jamaican heritage and is passionate about sharing science with people of all ages. She obtained her undergraduate degree in ‘Cellular and Molecular Medicine with Study in Industry’ from the University of Bristol. She subsequently pursued her graduate studies at the University of Sheffield and was awarded her PhD in ‘Molecular Biology and Biotechnology’ in 2020. She is currently a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, seconded to the Taylor lab at the University of Manchester.
DR. TANIMOLA MARTINS
Co-Director of Cancer Awareness
(UK)
Tanimola is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Institute of Health Research, University of Exeter Medical School. He has a background in Medical Rehabilitation and Public Health. His research aims to identify and quantify sociodemographic inequalities in cancer, Presently, Tanimola is working in collaboration with researchers from University College London and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine to investigate ethnic differences in diagnosis and outcomes of common cancers.
CHRIS BOURNE
Director of Sponsorship
Chris Bourne is a 4th year PhD Candidate at Weill Cornell/Sloan-Kettering Institute. He received a BA in Biology and Spanish Literature from Swarthmore College. For his graduate work he studies cancer immunotherapy, aiming to use T cells to deliver drugs to tumors, and uncover novel immunotherapuetic targets. He is passionate about diversity in biomedical research and helps run programs and committees to improve recruitment, retention, and promotion of underrepresented students.
RALPH WHITE III
Co-Director of Cancer Awareness
(USA)
Ralph White III is a 4th year PhD candidate in the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Minnesota Medical School. He received his B.S in Chemistry with a concentration in Biochemistry from Furman University, where he studied the thermodynamics of the inhibition of High Mobility Group A proteins bound to AT rich DNA by Netropsin. Currently, his research is focused on evaluating the synergy of combination therapy involving select kinase inhibitors and the standard of care for Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer. In addition to his research, Ralph is involved in STEM outreach within the Twin Cities community, engaging all with his love of science.
DR. ELSHADDAI WHITE
Associate Director of Sponsorship
Elshaddai White, a native of Franklin, Louisiana, is a fifth-year Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Biological Sciences and Center for Cancer Research and Therapeutic Development at Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, Georgia. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences from Louisiana State University in 2012 and a Master of Science degree in Biological Sciences from Jacksonville State University in 2014. His research focuses on adaptive stress mechanisms within the tumor microenvironment, explicitly investigating how serum deprivation primes tumor cells to adapt and survive hostile environments in prostate cancer. His long-term career goal is to become an independent investigator and continue research in cancer biology and, later, train and develop future minority cancer scientists while putting forth his best efforts to eradicate this disease.
DR. RUAN COX JR.
Co-Director of Partnerships
Dr. Ruan Cox, Jr is an immunologist and an advocate for the promotion of partnerships between biotech and industry. He earned his PhD in Molecular Medicine and Immunology from the University of South Florida College of Medicine where his research focused on supercharging immune function through the timely administration of resolution factors. Since leaving the bench he has dedicated his career to the effective development of strategic partnerships for acceleration of translational and clinical R&D efforts. He spent 5 years at the renowned Moffitt Cancer Center generating over $100 million in funding towards cancer research partnerships and now leads these efforts at the University of South Florida Technology Transfer Division as the Assistant Director of Business Development and Partnerships.
DR. KILAN ASHAD-BISHOP
Co-Director of Partnerships
Dr. Kilan C. Ashad-Bishop is a California-born biomedical scientist & change agent based in Miami, FL. She currently serves as a Postdoctoral Researcher in the University of Miami School of Education & Human Development and the Director of College Access for Breakthrough Miami. Kilan is an HBCU Grad (Morgan State University) & holds a PhD in Cancer Biology from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.
KAELA MAKINS
Director of Operations
Kaela Makins is a Senior at Hamilton College as a Miami Posse scholar, working toward earning her B.A. in Biology. She has dabbled in a few different research projects ranging from cancer research to microbiology, but finds that her strongest interest lies in genetic research, specifically with a focus in cancer and health disparities. Her thesis research focuses on studying the effects of lead toxicity on reproduction, behavior, and neurogenesis, as well as its impact on generational inheritance. Kaela is passionate about seeing inclusive STEM environments for Black and Brown students in the spaces that she involves herself in (and beyond). Kaela is the Head Co-Chair and Co-Founder of ROOTS, a Hamilton College organization focused on uplifting and supporting students of color interested in STEM focused concentrations and careers.
TUMISANG NTEREKE
Director of Communications
Originally from the diamond nation of Botswana, Tumie is currently a PhD student at the Leicester Cancer Research Centre. She holds a Medical Genetics BSc from the University of Leicester and her research focusses on establishing novel diagnostic and prognostic RNA markers from exosomes in breast cancer. Aside from her research, she is passionate about outreach and cancer awareness within the black community.
DR. KORIE GRAYSON
Director of Finance
Dr. Korie Grayson is a biomedical engineer and a diversity advocate in STEM. She is a proud alumna of the HBCU Norfolk State University, where she earned her BS in Chemistry (2012). Korie obtained her MS (2017) and PhD (2020) in Biomedical Engineering from Cornell University where she defended her thesis, “Cellular Delivery of TRAIL to Treat Metastatic-Castration Resistant Prostate Cancer”, during the COVID-19 pandemic under Dr. Michael R. King. Currently, Korie is a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Michigan under the tutelage of Dr. Lola Eniola-Adefeso in Chemical Engineering. Her research focuses on the evaluation of novel nano- and microparticles for therapy in neutrophilic, acute inflammatory disease and cancer.