DURHAM, N.C. – The Burroughs Wellcome Fund (BWF) is proud to announce the 2025 recipients of the Graduate Diversity Enrichment Program (GDEP)—fourteen outstanding pre-doctoral scientists whose work reflects the promise of the next generation of biomedical researchers.
Budgeted initially to support 10 awards of $5,000 each, the Fund expanded this year’s cohort in recognition of the exceptional applicant pool and the growing need for travel and training support. It was recommended that the total allocation increase from $50,000 to $70,000, enabling BWF to fund 14 pre-doctoral scholars.
Many of this year’s recipients will use their awards to attend national scientific meetings and enrichment opportunities—such as ABRCMS, SACNAS, and MBL short courses—that provide vital professional networks and research exposure. With federal funds being reduced, these small but meaningful grants offer crucial access to training that might otherwise be out of reach.
“Expanding support for these scholars is a modest investment with an outsized impact,” said Alfred Mays, Chief Diversity Officer of the Burroughs Wellcome Fund. “These awards open doors for talented early-career scientists who are building both their research and their voice within the scientific community.”
The BWF Board of Directors unanimously approved the expanded funding, reaffirming the Fund’s long-standing commitment to fostering inclusion and excellence in science.
2025 Graduate Diversity Enrichment Program Awardees
Akua Acheampong
Duke University School of Medicine
Molecular Determinants of G Protein Subtype Specific Coupling at the Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor
Dalal Azzam
Duke University School of Medicine
Molecular Insights into Human Mismatch Repair: A Structure-Function Elucidation of Pathway Disruption and Protein Assembly
Olivia Conway
Duke University School of Medicine
Optineurin-Mediated Mitophagy as a mtDNA Quality Control Pathway in Primary Hippocampal Neurons
Sy’Keria Garrison
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Investigating the Impact of Perineuronal Nets on Behavioral Flexibility and Electrophysiology in the Orbitofrontal Cortex
Lailah Alyssa Ligons
Duke University
ElectroGLuE: Electropolymer that Genetically Links Neurons to Electrodes
Miranda Lumbreras
Duke University School of Medicine
Investigating the Immune Response of the Meninges during Cryptococcal Infection
Vianna Martinez
Duke University School of Medicine
Elucidating the Age-Dependent Role of BMP13 in Cartilage Repair
Patrick Prochazka
Duke University School of Medicine
Evaluating the Potential of Repurposing Targeted Therapies for Precision Lung Cancer Prevention
Mohammad Riahi
North Carolina State University
Development of Intelligent Closed-Loop Systems for Automated Diagnosis, Remote Care, and Precision Intervention in Healthcare Applications
Celeste Rocio Robles
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Investigating the Mechanisms and Heterogeneity of Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Infection and Reactivation in Sensory Neurons
Kirsten Smith
Duke University School of Medicine
Potential Roles for Secreted Bacterial Fibronectin Binding Proteins in Angiogenesis
Asjah Wallace
Duke University School of Medicine
Investigating the Role of Histone Deacetylase-3 in Metastatic Undifferentiated Pleomorphic Sarcoma
Tamia Waker-Atwater
Duke University School of Medicine
Exploring the Role of Nurses and Their Neurophobia Experiences in Caring for Patients with Neurologic Conditions
Claudia Sofia Wong
Duke University
Studying Oxidative Stress Using a Small Artery In Vitro Model
About the Graduate Diversity Enrichment Program
The Graduate Diversity Enrichment Program (GDEP) provides up to $5,000 in funding for underrepresented PhD students in the biomedical sciences enrolled at North Carolina universities. These funds support travel, short courses, workshops, and other enrichment experiences that strengthen scientific and professional development.
Comments are closed.