2022
UConn Schools of Medicine and Dental Medicine Alumni Speaker Seminar Series
Date: January 20, 2022
Time: 6 to 7 p.m.
Guest Speakers: Cynthia Armand, M.D., Damian Findlay, D.M.D., M.D., FACS
View Invitation and Speakers Flyer
Past Event Alumni Speakers
2024
Bridge to the Future Science Mentoring Virtual Conference
October 19, 2024
Time: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Place: In-Person Conference, UConn Health
Guest Speaker: Nurudeen 'Lucky' Osumah, M.D., MBA
University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Class of 2022
Conference Flyer
Conference Agenda
Keynote Speaker
2023
UConn Schools of Medicine and Dental Medicine Alumni Speaker Seminar Series
Date: May 18, 2023
Guest Speaker: Stephanie Stoddart, D.M.D., M.B.A.
View Invitation and Speakers Flyer
Bridge to the Future Science Mentoring Virtual Conference
April 22, 2023
Guest Speaker: Danilo Gomes, M.D., UConn School of Medicine, Class of 2011
Conference Details
Keynote Speaker
UConn Schools of Medicine and Dental Medicine Alumni Speaker Seminar Series
Date: February 27, 2023
Guest Speakers: Christine Castater, M.D., M.B.A. and Kafi Charles, D.M.D.
View Invitation and Speakers Flyer
2022
UConn Schools of Medicine and Dental Medicine Alumni Speaker Seminar Series
Date: December 13, 2022
Time: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Guest Speakers: Vanessa Wanjeri, M.D., Andria D. Matthews, M.D., MPH
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UConn Schools of Medicine and Dental Medicine Alumni Speaker Seminar Series
Date: October 12, 2022
Time: 7 to 8 p.m.
Guest Speakers: Christine Castater, M.D., MBA, Stephanie Stoddart, D.M.D., MBA
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UConn Schools of Medicine and Dental Medicine Alumni Speaker Seminar Series
Date: March 29, 2022
Time: 5 to 6 p.m.
Guest Speakers: Kristen Glasgow, M.D., Johnny Joseph, D.M.D.
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UConn Schools of Medicine and Dental Medicine Alumni Speaker Seminar Series
Date: January 20, 2022
Time: 6 to 7 p.m.
Guest Speakers: Cynthia Armand, M.D., Damian Findlay, D.M.D., M.D., FACS
View Invitation and Speakers Flyer
2021
Virtual Summer Enrichment Program Closing
Date: July 30, 2021
Time: 12 to 1 p.m.
Guest Speaker: Wayne Lloyd DeBeatham, M.D., Phelps Hospital, Sleepy Hollow, NY
2021 Summer Enrichment Program Flyer
UConn Schools of Medicine and Dental Medicine Alumni Speaker Seminar Series
Date: May 6, 2021
Time: 7 to 8 p.m.
Guest Speakers: Claudia L. Grogean, M.D., Victoria Massey, D.M.D., Prince N. Morgan, D.M.D.
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Bridge to the Future Science Mentoring Conference
Date: April 17, 2021
Time: 12 to 3 p.m.
Guest Speaker: Tamara Gravely Griffin, D.M.D., M.S.
2021 Bridge to the Future Conference Flyer
UConn Schools of Medicine and Dental Medicine Alumni Speaker Seminar Series
Date: March 25, 2021
Time: 7 to 8 p.m.
Guest Speakers: Akin Beckley, M.D., M.B.A., Lenora B. Sampson Williams, M.D., David Woods, D.M.D., and Michael Woods, D.M.D.
View Invitation and Speakers Flyer
Celebrating Black History Month, SNMA, LMSA, SNDA/HSDA Invited Alumni Speaker
Date: March 4, 2021
Time: 6 p.m.
Guest Speaker: Munachim I. Uyanwune, M.D., M.B.A., Chief Executive Officer, MIU Group, Pikesville, MD
View Invitation and Speaker Flyer
2020
Doctors Academy Parental Seminar Series
Date: December 2, 2020
Time: 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Guest Speaker: Christine Crawford, M.D., Associate Director of Medical Student Education in Psychiatry, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, Associate Medical Director, National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI)
2020 Doctors Academy Seminar Flyer
Virtual Summer Enrichment Program Closing
Date: July 31, 2020
Time: 12 to 1 p.m.
Guest Speakers: Michael Woods, D.M.D., Simply Southern Smiles; Michael Woods, D.M.D., M.S., PLLC, Statesville, NC; David Woods, D.M.D., Main Street Children's Dentistry & Orthodontics, Elkton, MD; and Havre de Grace, M.D., Johns Hopkins Pediatrics, Baltimore, MD
2020 Summer Enrichment Program Flyer
2019
Summer Enrichment Program Closing
Date: July 26, 2019
Time: 12 to 1 p.m.
Place: Keller Auditorium and Lobby
Guest Speaker: Tremane Bartley, D.M.D., Bridgeport Braces, Bridgeport, CT
2019 Summer Enrichment Program Flyer
Bridge to the Future Science Mentoring Program Conference
Date: April 6, 2019
Time: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Place: Keller Auditorium and Lobby
Guest Speaker: Marcus Moss, D.M.D., Pediatric Dental Associates and Orthodontics, AL
2019 Bridge to the Future Conference Flyer
2018
Summer Enrichment Program Closing
Date: July 27, 2018
Time: 12 to 1 p.m.
Place: Keller Auditorium and Lobby
Guest Speaker: Kirk Campbell, M.D., Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai – Division of Nephrology, Nephrology Fellowship Program Director, New York, NY
2018 Summer Enrichment Program Flyer
Bridge to the Future Science Mentoring Program Conference
Date: April 21, 2018
Time: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Place: Keller Auditorium and Lobby
Guest Speaker: Jonathan Nunez, M.D., Philadelphia FIGHT Community Health Centers, Johnathan Lax Treatment Center, Philadelphia, PA
2018 Bridge to the Future Conference Flyer
Doctors Academy Parental Seminar Series
Date: March 14, 2018
Time: 6 p.m.
Place: Keller Auditorium
Guest Speaker: Christine Crawford, M.D., Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Resident, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
2018 Doctors Academy Seminar Flyer
2017
Summer Enrichment Program Closing
Date: July 28, 2017
Time: 12 to 2 p.m.
Place: Keller Auditorium and Lobby
Guest Speaker: Kristen Glasgow, M.D., Acute Care Surgeon, Bridgeport Hospital, Bridgeport, CT
2017 Summer Enrichment Program Flyer
Bridge to the Future Science Mentoring Program Conference
Date: April 22, 2017
Time: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Place: Keller Auditorium and Lobby
Guest Speaker: John Zyzo, D.M.D., General Dentistry Resident, Danbury Hospital, Danbury, CT
2017 Bridge to the Future Conference Flyer
Mentoring Mentorship Community Program Seminar
Date: February 24, 2017
Time: 6 to 9 p.m.
Place: Keller Auditorium and Lobby
Guest Speaker: Ursula McMillian, M.D., Board-Certified General/Laparoscopic and Bariatric Surgeon, Mercy Medical Center, Springfield, MA
2017 Mentoring Mentorship Seminar Flyer
2016
Mentoring Mentorship Community Program Seminar
Date: October 22, 2016
Time: 10 a.m.
Place: Massey Auditorium
Guest Speaker: Kevin O. Clarke, M.D., FACS, Board-Certified Surgeon and Director of Surgical Oncology, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, Newark, NJ
2016 Mentoring Mentorship Seminar Flyer
Summer Enrichment Program Closing
Date: July 29, 2016
Time: 12 to 2 p.m.
Place: Keller Auditorium and Lobby
Guest Speaker: Duarte Goncalves Machado, M.D., Hartford Hospital Medical Group – Surgical Specialists, Hartford, CT
2016 Summer Enrichment Program Flyer
Bridge to the Future Science Mentoring Program Conference
Date: April 23, 2016
Time: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Place: Keller Auditorium and Lobby
Guest Speaker: Christine Crawford, M.D., M.P.H., Psychiatry Resident, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
2016 Bridge to the Future Conference Flyer
Black History Month Lunch and Learn Seminar
Date: February 23, 2016
Time: 12 to 1 p.m.
Place: Onyiuke Dining Room
Guest Speaker: Christian Grant Brockenberry, D.M.D., Dental Director, Cornell Scott Hill Health Center
2016 Black History Month Seminar Flyer
2015
Bridge to the Future Science Mentoring Program Conference
April 11, 2015
Time: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Place: Keller Auditorium and Lobby
Guest Speaker: Andrew Scatola, M.D., Internal Medicine Resident, UConn Health, Farmington, CT
2015 Bridge to the Future Conference Flyer
Past Scholars and Awardees
Neha Shanavas

2024 Rowe Book Award Recipient
High School: Farmington High School
College/Major: University of Connecticut, Molecular Cell Biology
Neha Shenavas has actively participated in various UConn Health Career Opportunities Program offerings and volunteered at Saint Francis Hospital during high school. She is a Molecular and Cellular Biology major on the premed track. Neha likes to read mystery books in her spare time. Originally from Pasadena, California, Neha now resides in Bloomfield and graduated from the Sport and Medical Science Academy in 2024.
Jabez Boyd

High School:
College/Major: University of Connecticut
Mark Manson

High School:
College/Major: University of Connecticut
Kwaku Nyame

High School: CREC Metropolitan Learning Center
College/Major: University of Connecticut, Biological Sciences
Kwaku Nyame has been involved in multiple UConn Health Career Opportunity Programs’ offerings. Kwaku is an avid soccer fan and volunteers at his local church. He is majoring in Biological Sciences on the pre-med track. Kwaku was born and raised in Manchester, Connecticut, and graduated from Manchester High School
Sanyu Ponnala

Amayah Wimberly Whaley

High School: CREC Academy of Science and Innovation
College/Major: University of Connecticut, Physiology and Neurobiology
Sanyu Ponnala has been involved in multiple UConn Health Career Opportunity Programs’ offerings, including the High School Mini Medical/Dental School program, and more recently the Pre-College Enrichment Program. He is majoring in Physiology and Neurobiology on the pre-med track. He graduated in 2022 from the CREC Academy of Science and Innovation. Through his participation in the summer Pre-College Enrichment Program, Sanyu believes that the program helped him prepare for college and has helped him realize the workload of college and its unique lifestyle. Sanyu has completed his first semester of college and is continuing to build upon his performance.
High School: Windsor High School
College/Major: University of Connecticut, Molecular Cell Biology
Amayah is from Windsor, CT where she graduated from Windsor High School. As a high school student, she attended the Mini Medical/Dental School program via UConn Health’s Health Career Opportunity Programs While at Windsor High, she held a leadership position in the Windsor High School Band as the Drum Major. Amayah will be a molecular cell biology major at UConn.
Adriana Mantilla

High School: Wethersfield High School
College/Major: University of Connecticut, Biological Sciences
Adriana Mantilla has been involved in multiple UConn Health Career Opportunity Programs’ offerings and also volunteers at Urban Alliance, a non-profit organization with a deep desire to unify the Greater Hartford community, and to help and serve others. She is a Biological Sciences major on the premed track. Adriana was born in Lima, Peru and raised in Wethersfield, Connecticut, graduating from Wethersfield High School. She likes to travel and learn about different cultures.
HughDante Morant

High School: CREC Metropolitan Learning Center
College/Major: University of Connecticut, Biological Sciences
HughDante Morant has been involved in multiple UConn Health Career Opportunity Programs’ offerings including the High School Mini Medical/Dental School Program. He also volunteers at Kimberly Hall South and the West Hartford Boys and Girls Club. HughDante was born in Hartford, Connecticut and raised in East Hartford, Connecticut. He graduated from CREC Metropolitan Learning Center in Bloomfield, Connecticut as the Class of 2021 Valedictorian. He played basketball for the Metropolitan Learning Center and likes to attend UConn basketball games.
HughDante is a Biological Sciences major on the premed track. He studies Biology in Storrs and Farmington where he does lab work at UConn Storrs and earned a scholarship from the Jackson Laboratory where he will participate in a future internship. He recently conducted a service project where he interviewed individuals who are homeless, and provided them with socks, gloves, and hats that he learned to crochet. This experience influenced his life by opening his eyes to the fact that everyone has an identity and a place on this earth, and the importance of treating everyone equally and with respect.
Elis Diaz

High School: Global Communications Academy High School
College/Major: University of Connecticut, Biomedical Engineering
Elis Diaz was part of the Aetna HPPI Doctors Academy, and volunteers at his school, teaching middle schoolers about his major, and participating in local marathons. He is a Biomedical Engineering major. Elis was born and raised in Hartford, CT and likes to exercise, meditate, and build technology. He currently lives in Hartford, and graduated from Global Communications Academy High School.
Samee Malik

Samee Malik
High School: Newington High School
College/Major: University of Connecticut, Physiology and Neurobiology
Samee Malik has been involved in many UConn Health Career Opportunity Programs. He is a Physiology and Neurobiology major along the pre-medicine track. One of his favorite programs that he participated in was the High School Student Research Apprentice Program, where he says he gained invaluable research experience in a laboratory. He graduated from Newington High School this past year. A fun fact about Samee is that he was born and grew up in New York, and is a big New York sports fan.
Khadijah Stanford

Khadijah Stanford
High School: Portland High School
College/Major: University of Connecticut, Nursing
Khadijah Stanford has been involved in multiple UConn Health Career Opportunity Programs offerings. She is a Nursing major and hopes to become a nurse practitioner. Khadijah was born in St. Maarten, but raised in Hartford, CT and likes to spend time with her family and listen to music. She currently lives in Hartford and graduated from Portland High School.
Dawud Zakir

Dawud Zakir
High School: Glastonbury High School
College/Major: University of Connecticut, Undecided
Dawud Zakir has been involved in many UConn Health Career Opportunity Programs offerings and volunteers at organizations that focus on working with the youth. He is currently exploring majors but is on an engineering track. Dawud Zakir was born and raised in West Hartford and likes to travel and explore different cultures. He currently lives in Glastonbury, and graduated from Glastonbury High School.
Preeya Diana

High School: University High School of Science and Engineering
College/Major: University of Connecticut, Chemistry
Preeya Diana is a Chemistry major on the pre-medical track at the University of Connecticut. She is from Farmington, CT and graduated from University High School of Science and Engineering. Preeya has been involved in multiple UConn Health Career Opportunity Programs starting from Great Explorations and graduated from the Senior Doctors Academy. Lastly, she is a first generation college student aspiring to be an orthopedic surgeon.
Khadijah Stanford

High School: Portland High School
College/Major: University of Connecticut, Nursing
Khadijah Stanford has been involved in multiple UConn Health Career Opportunity Programs offerings. She is a Nursing major and hopes to become a nurse practitioner. Khadijah was born in St. Maarten, but raised in Hartford, CT and likes to spend time with her family and listen to music. She currently lives in Hartford and graduated from Portland High School.
Tiffany Addy

High School: Farmington High School
College/Major: University of Connecticut, Physiology and Neurobiology
Tiffany Addy is from Farmington, CT where she graduated from Farmington High School. As a high school student, she attended the Senior Doctors Academy sponsored by UConn Health Career Opportunity Programs and was involved in a number of clubs and organizations in her high school. Tiffany is a Physiology and Neurobiology major on the pre-med track and she recently shadowed a reproductive endocrinologist, which she says gave her a greater exposure to women’s reproductive health and allowed her to foster an interest in the field of obstetrics and gynecology.
Angelo Franco

High School: Connecticut International Baccalaureate Academy
College/Major: University of Connecticut, Business, Chemical Engineering
Angelo Franco has been involved in multiple UConn Health Health Career Opportunity Programs offerings. He is a Chemical Engineering major on the pre-dental track. Angelo was born and raised in East Hartford and likes to travel. He currently lives in East Hartford, and graduated from the Connecticut International Baccalaureate Academy.
Zaiba Khan

High School: East Windsor High School
College/Major: University of Connecticut, Molecular and Cell Biology
Zaiba Khan has been involved in multiple UConn Health Career Opportunity Programs since her childhood. Beginning with Great Explorations she graduated from the Senior Doctors Academy in 2019 and is now studying Molecular and Cellular Biology at UConn. Zaiba was born in East Windsor, CT and likes to stay active in her free time. After graduating, she hopes to one day attend medical school and become a reconstructive surgeon.
Julie-Ann Williams

High School: Windsor High School
College/Major: University of Connecticut, Cognitive Science
Julie-Ann Williams had been involved in UConn Health Career Opportunity Programs since 8th grade. She volunteers at Saint Monica’s Episcopal Church, Avery Heights Senior Living, and various events at the University of Connecticut. Julie-Ann attends the University of Connecticut and is majoring in Cognitive Science on the pre-med track. She was raised in Windsor, CT, likes to play volleyball, tutor middle school students, and more recently is involved in research about child development. She currently lives in Windsor, CT, and graduated from Windsor High School.
Tiffany Addy

High School: Farmington High School
College/Major: University of Connecticut, Physiology and Neurobiology
Tiffany Addy is from Farmington, CT where she graduated from Farmington High School. As a high school student, she attended the Senior Doctors Academy sponsored by UConn Health Career Opportunity Programs and was involved in a number of clubs and organizations in her high school. Tiffany is a Physiology and Neurobiology major on the pre-med track and she recently shadowed a reproductive endocrinologist, which she says gave her a greater exposure to women’s reproductive health and allowed her to foster an interest in the field of obstetrics and gynecology.
Angelo Franco

High School: Connecticut International Baccalaureate Academy
College/Major: University of Connecticut, Business, Chemical Engineering
Angelo Franco has been involved in multiple UConn Health Health Career Opportunity Programs offerings. He is a Chemical Engineering major on the pre-dental track. Angelo was born and raised in East Hartford and likes to travel. He currently lives in East Hartford, and graduated from the Connecticut International Baccalaureate Academy.
Zaiba Khan

High School: East Windsor High School
College/Major: University of Connecticut, Molecular and Cell Biology
Zaiba Khan has been involved in multiple UConn Health Career Opportunity Programs since her childhood. Beginning with Great Explorations she graduated from the Senior Doctors Academy in 2019 and is now studying Molecular and Cellular Biology at UConn. Zaiba was born in East Windsor, CT and likes to stay active in her free time. After graduating, she hopes to one day attend medical school and become a reconstructive surgeon.