Bioethics
2024 interns
Eliza Akers
Eliza Akers graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2022 with a BA in philosophy. While there she cultivated an interest in applied ethics and the practical application of philosophical concepts outside of the humanities. To this end, she spent her semester at the at the University of Copenhagen studying the application of phenomenological principles in clinical psychiatry. Eliza is currently pursuing a master’s degree in bioethics and science policy at Duke University and plans to continue her education to become a clinical bioethicist. Her interests include the physician-patient relationship, institutional betrayal and trust in the context of healthcare, and the ethics of emerging technologies in medicine.
David Appiah
David Appiah is completing his Master of Science in Bioethics degree at the prestigious University of Ghana. His academic journey began with his undergraduate studies in Nursing at the University of Health and Allied Sciences. Following this, he gained valuable experience as a Nursing Officer through his work with the Sanford Health-World Clinics initiative in his homeland, Ghana. His passion for bioethics stems from his belief in its profound impact not only on his nursing practice but also on the broader realms of research. He is interested in the fields of research ethics, technology ethics, and clinical ethics, where he seeks to explore and contribute significantly. He harbors aspirations of pursuing a doctorate towards transitioning into a full-time researcher and academic role. The Internship opportunity with Dr. Resnik presents him with a chance to immerse himself in ethical review activities and delve into research concerning ethical issues in biomedicine.
Paula Glover
Paula Glover, MPS is a student in the Master of Physiology and Certificate of Biotechnology programs at North Carolina State University. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in both Biology and Health & Societies with concentration in Bioethics from the University of Pennsylvania. While there, she was involved in cell and developmental biology research that sought to elucidate bone-morphogenic protein pathways in zebrafish. She also holds a Master of Biomedical and Health Informatics with concentration in Public Health Informatics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. While at the University of North Carolina, she worked as a research portfolio manager for the Division of Pulmonary and Clinical Care Medicine where she oversaw the administration of industry-sponsored clinical trials for pulmonary hypertension patients. She credits her time in clinical trials administration with supporting her interests in human subjects research, biomedical research and medicine. The bioethics summer internship represents an opportunity for further involvement and fellowship in bioethics research. Paula will be graduating in Spring 2025, after which she plans to apply for MD-PhD programs with research specialty in Biology and Physiology.
Irene Jonathan
Irene Jonathan is a 2023 graduate of Duke University in Durham, NC, where she received a B.S. in neuroscience and completed two minors in chemistry and political science. She is continuing her education at Duke by pursuing an M.A. in Bioethics and Science Policy with a concentration in clinical bioethics. During her time as an undergraduate, Ms. Jonathan worked on multiple research projects. Irene participated in community health research focused on combating hypertension health disparities in the Durham community that was published at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Session. She also completed research on the relationship between early life inflammatory events, microglia, and neurodevelopment that culminated in a senior thesis and graduating with distinction. After graduation, she will begin her medical school education this fall.
Emily Nguyen
Emily Nguyen is a first-year undergraduate student at the University of Virginia pursuing a BS majoring in biochemistry with a bioethics minor. I'm currently in a computational biology lab part of the UVA medical school. The research focuses on developing quantitative models to study epigenetics and transcriptional regulation of gene expression in human diseases such as cancer. I've also worked with the National Institute on Mental Illness as an intern advocating for the destigmatization of mental illness. My interest in bioethics is centered around the policies surrounding older and dependent populations. My goal is to push for a more inclusive public health system that addresses the societal, economic, and ethical considerations that underpin caregiving.
Ryan Philips
Ryan Philips is a recent graduate of Baylor University, where he majored in Philosophy & Medicine. During his time as an undergraduate, he focused on structural injustices and racial equity within healthcare while also working as a medical assistant. Post-graduation, he served as a Public Health Intern for AIDS Healthcare Foundation and has been assisting with stem cell research and bioinformatics at Western University. This upcoming fall, he plans on attending Johns Hopkins University to complete his Masters in Bioethics. He plans on pursuing a career in medicine as a physician following his Masters while also practicing in academia.
William Tepper
William Tepper is an undergraduate student at High Point University studying both Philosophy and Biology. At High Point University I am currently a member of the Ethics Bowl program, which is held annually by the NCICU where I work with a team to form and present ethical arguments for a variety of case studies. After graduating, I plan on seeking a master's degree and ultimately a career in bioethics. My interests include moral theory, existentialist philosophy, metaphysics, healthcare ethics, and regulation of biotechnology.