UAB biology students earn prestigious UNCF Merck Scholarships

Two undergraduate biology majors from UAB’s College of Arts and Sciences have been granted $35,000 United Negro College Fund Merck Science Research Scholarships, awards that may provide another $10,000 for the students’ UAB research laboratories.

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Lakeshia Hyndman
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Stacy Ejem

Two undergraduate biology majors from UAB’s College of Arts and Sciences have been granted $35,000 United Negro College Fund Merck Science Research Scholarships, awards that may provide another $10,000 for the students’ UAB research laboratories. The recipients are Lakeshia Hyndman, a 21-year-old junior from Montgomery and the daughter of Dorian and Dora Hyndman, and Stacy Ejem, a 21-year-old junior from Birmingham and the daughter of Linus and Theresa Ejem.

Both students are researching health issues in premature infants. Ejem is working to understand how the drug theophylline, which treats a condition called Apnea of Prematurity, may also benefit the overall wellness and development of premature infants. Hyndman is examining a specific antioxidant called glutathione that may help preterm infants’ brains develop properly.