David Anyakora

Meet David

I'm David Anyakora, a sophomore at Revelle College majoring in Human Biology and Global Health. I received the Triton Research & Experiential Learning Scholars (TRELS) to conduct research with Dr. Georgia Sadler.

TRELS info

My Research

My research assesses the impact of the pilot outreach/research initiative I am overseeing with the support of Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Dr. Satterlund and both the collaborative efforts of the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) and the Creating Scientists to Address Cancer Disparities Program.

The initiative hosts a summer residential program where students coming from underrepresented, first-generation, and low-income communities will have the opportunity to be given mentorship to conduct laboratory work, and shadow within the clinic or operation room. The admitted students will also be connected and given in depth knowledge into UCSD student resources, services, and programs; the students will also be connected with the campus cultural and community centers. The First-Generation Success Coaching Program will also assign each student a success coach.

In connecting students with on campus resources we aim to deliver both academic and community support to the incoming students to support their transition into the college setting. In assessing the impact, we will conduct a tour of the Moreno Valley Unified School District with UCSD Admissions Officers, showcasing both the academic and community support systems within postsecondary education. Our admitted students will present their CSP health disparities research and educate the students on navigating the college application process.

The initiative aims in increasing diversity and culturally competent personnel within the college setting and advancing into professional roles. The outreach aims to inspire and motivate students stemming from underserved communities.

My Future Plans

The vision I see from the initiative is to create equitable opportunity for students to advance their futures and to inspire and motivate change from the community they stemmed from. I plan to establish the initiative throughout the UC system to help students throughout the state of California stemming from underrepresented, first-generation, and low-income communities to have structured support towards their retention, transition, and success within the university. I aim to manage the expansion of the initiative and model of sustainability to support generations of incoming students.

Related Links

• Global Health Program
• Creating Scientists to Address Cancer Disparities Program
• Triton Research & Experiential Learning Scholars (TRELS) at UC San Diego