RDDC is thrilled to announce the 2023 Rare Disease and Health Equity Scholarship recipients. This esteemed reimbursement scholarship grants nine (9) individuals the exclusive opportunity to attend rare disease patient and health equity focused conferences, exposing them to exceptional learning opportunities and fostering their active participation in the rare disease community. The scholarship, offering up to $2,000, can be utilized to cover or offset conference attendance and travel related costs for early career healthcare professionals, medical students, and allied health students. RDDC's Rare Disease and Health Equity Scholarship is a highly sought-after award, and we congratulate the recipients and wish them the best in their future endeavors.
The 2023 scholarship recipients are:
- Tahra Anglade from Howard University
- Dr. Victor Ekuta from Penn Alzheimer's Disease Research Center
- Anthony Emeribe, PhD, from Morgan State University
- Aditi Kantipuly, MD, 2023 RDDC Fellow and Research Collaborator with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Nathlita Karnerly from Fayetteville State University
- Dr. Tamaraemumoemi Okoro from Morgan State University
- Dr. Erkin Ozel from Emory University School of Medicine
- Dr. Bijaya Mishra from B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences
- Anthony Skaff from Virginia Commonwealth University
As the recipients attend their selected conferences, RDDC is excited to share their valuable insights. A few of the recipients have already shared their thoughts, and more will be added as they attend their respective conferences. RDDC encourages you to check back regularly to get the latest updates on the innovative learnings and perspectives from these exceptional individuals.
Meet the recipients below:
Tahra Anglade
Tahra Anglade, M.S., is a remarkable researcher with Upequity and a Clinical Psychology doctoral student at Howard University. We are proud to announce that she was awarded the RDDC Rare Disease Health Equity Conference Scholarship and attended the Rare Health Equity Forum, held in partnership with Global Genes and RDDC. Tahra's participation in the forum offered her an exceptional learning experience and provided her with valuable insights into the current state of rare disease patient care and health equity. She is an outstanding example of the type of early career healthcare professionals RDDC aims to support through its scholarship program, and we congratulate her on her achievements.
Anthony Emeribe, PhD
We are pleased to announce that Anthony U. Emeribe, Ph.D. in Chemical Pathology and extensive experience in the field of public health nutrition and viral epidemiology, has been awarded the RDDC Rare Disease Health Equity Conference Scholarship. Anthony is currently pursuing his doctoral degree at the School of Community Health and Policy at Morgan State University and serves as a Research Fellow with the Association of State Public Health Nutritionists. He has made significant contributions to the field of viral epidemiology. We are thrilled that he was able to attend the 2023 American Public Health Association's Annual Meeting and Expo in November as a result of this scholarship. The conference has broadened his understanding of public health and equipped him with skills and knowledge to better serve underserved and underrepresented communities. RDDC congratulates Anthony on his accomplishments and wishes him all the best in his future endeavors.
Dr. Aditi Kantipuly
We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Aditi Kantipuly, an esteemed 2023 RDDC Fellow, has been awarded the prestigious RDDC Rare Disease and Health Equity Conference Scholarship. As a Physician with extensive experience in government, academic medicine, and journalism, Dr. Kantipuly has demonstrated a commitment to building sustainable communities with a specific emphasis on genetics and health equity. Dr. Kantipuly employs innovative approaches to address rare diseases through the medium of music and art.
Bijaya Mishra
We are pleased to announce Dr. Bijaya Mishra, MD in Biochemistry and Assistant Professor at B. P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, as a recipient of the esteemed RDDC Rare Disease Health Equity Conference Scholarship. Her history of diligence and resolute commitment to academic excellence is truly commendable. Presently, Dr. Mishra's work centers on critical areas like newborn screening, inherited metabolic disorders, rare genetic diseases, and genetic diagnostics. Dr. Mishra attended the Indo US Bridging RARE Summit in October, thanks to the RDDC Rare Disease Health Equity Conference Scholarship. The conference has enriched Dr. Mishra’s understanding of the global rare disease patient experience and global advocacy. RDDC congratulates Dr. Mishra on her remarkable achievements and wishes her the very best in all her future endeavors.
Dr. Tamaraemumoemi Okoro
We are excited to share the news of Dr. Tamaraemumoemi Okoro, a distinguished cardiologist and public health professional receiving the RDDC Rare Disease Health Equity Conference Scholarship. Currently pursuing her second year of doctoral studies at Morgan State University, Dr. Okoro specializes in cardiovascular disease prevention, as well as maternal, child, and family health. Her commitment to enhancing health outcomes in these critical areas has led to noteworthy contributions to the healthcare field.. We are delighted that she had the opportunity to participate in the 2023 American Public Health Association's Annual Meeting and Expo in November, thanks to this prestigious scholarship. This conference has expanded her insights into public health and equipped her with valuable skills and knowledge to better address the needs of underserved and underrepresented communities. RDDC extends heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Okoro for her achievements and wishes her continued success in her future endeavors.
Dr. Erkin Ozel
Dr. Erkin Ozel is a postdoctoral fellow at Emory University School of Medicine, with a focus on disease modeling, genetic and cell-based approaches to treat rare diseases, and exploring genomic medicine's role in health outcomes. We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Ozel was awarded the RDDC Rare Disease Health Equity Conference Scholarship and attended the Rare Health Equity Forum, held in partnership with Global Genes and RDDC. Through this opportunity, Dr. Ozel was able to learn from experts in the field and network with other healthcare professionals who share his passion for rare disease patient care and health equity. The conference has enriched Dr. Ozel's understanding of the complexities of rare diseases and the challenges faced by patients and their families. His achievements inspire us to continue pushing the boundaries of medical research and care for patients with rare diseases. RDDC congratulates Dr. Ozel on his accomplishments and wishes him all the best in his future endeavors.
Anthony Skaff
We are delighted to announce that Anthony Skaff, a student at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, was awarded the RDDC Rare Disease Health Equity Conference Scholarship and attended the Rare Health Equity Forum held in partnership with Global Genes and RDDC. Anthony's participation in the forum offered him a unique opportunity to learn from experts in the field and network with other healthcare professionals who share his passion for rare disease patient care and health equity. His attendance at the conference has undoubtedly enriched his understanding of the complexities of rare diseases and the challenges faced by patients and their families. RDDC congratulates Anthony on his achievements and wishes him all the best in his future endeavors.
