NIEHS Medical Student Research Fellowships
NIEHS is proud to have provided an opportunity for our past fellows to explore their chosen path of study and projects. Some of our many fellows have provided an overview of their fellowship and how it was instrumental in their career.

Gordon Smilnak
2020
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
“The NIEHS Medical Student Research Fellowship provided an excellent opportunity to conduct biomedical research that meaningfully supplemented my medical school education.”

Dennis Akrobatu
2019
Duke University School of Medicine
“My principal mentor, Dr. Shaw has been excellent and has provided me with ample opportunity to present my research at both the local and national level, and we hope to publish a few manuscripts by the end of the year.”

Michael Hu
2019
University of Miami
“I had many interviewers remark on my experience at NIEHS, I’m glad to have contributed to the literature, and I’m hoping to continue related work while treating both kids and adults in Chicago.”

Anne Kim
2018
Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University
“The NIEHS has a special talent in creating lifelong relationships, and I believe it speaks to the culture of collaboration, professionalism, and curiosity that permeates throughout the whole institution.”

Chizoba Umesi
2018
Duke University School of Medicine
Project: The Effect of Health Disparities on SleepMentor: Chandra Jackson Ph.D. M.S.

Christian Hyacinthe, M.D.
2017
Duke University School of Medicine
“Being chosen as one of two research fellows at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences was a great honor. It was an amazing opportunity to work with and learn from world class scientists at the NIEHS and the NIH.”

Bob Z. Sun, M.D., M.A.
2017
Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University
“It immersed me in the world of clinical research, allowing me to present at scientific conferences, meet collaborators, learn from rigorous journal clubs and seminars, and of course contribute to original scholarship.”

Teminioluwa Ajayi, M.D., M.P.H.
2016
Duke University School of Medicine
“Indeed while there are many excellent research programs for medical students, I cannot think of one that offers the depth or breadth of training offered at the NIEHS MRSP, or one that offers such unbridled access to a network of accomplished career scientists and co-fellows.”