Our Mission

We aim to support Durham-area students seeking research opportunities. Our facilitators have experience in various fields and are excited to share their expertise with students.

Meet The Team

Jerush Christopher

Chemical Engineering PhD Student, NC State

Having lived my entire life in North Carolina, I am happy to call Durham home. As a current graduate student at NC State, I want to leverage my experience to give back to Durham Public Schools. Participation in undergraduate research in Li-ion batteries and machine learning has provided me with the skills to reach my career goals, and I believe I can help students do the same.

City of Medicine Academy (2018)

North Carolina State University

-Material Science & Engineering, B.S. (2022)

- Biological Sciences, Minor (2022)

- Chemical Engineering, PhD (Expected 2027)

Colman Freel

MD-PhD Student, UNMC

Born in Chapel Hill and raised in Durham, I have always called North Carolina home. Although I’ve been away for many years (and I’ll be away for many more), I am still passionate about supporting the Durham community and the success of DPS students. In addition to my role as an MD-PhD student, I work to promote STEMM engagement and accessibility in under-resourced communities. I hope the skills I have developed can help Durham students achieve their academic and professional goals.

City of Medicine Academy (2018)

University of Wisconsin

- Leadership, Certificate (2021)

- Biology, B.S. (2022)

- Global Health, Certificate (2022)

University of Nebraska Medical Center

- Doctor of Philosophy (Expected 2028)

- Doctor of Medicine (Expected 2030)

Annissa Macabangon

I am a Durham native and NC State graduate. I am very passionate about helping students reach their future goals and career aspirations. As a former CMA student, I will do my best to give back to the Durham community and help the students that I consider my peers. Over the summer, I volunteered at the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, focusing on animal histopathology, an experience that has provided me the insight to support student research involvement.

City of Medicine Academy (2018)

North Carolina State University

- Biology, B.A. (2022)

- Human Biology & Cultural Competence (2022)

We would like to acknowledge the Wisconsin Institute for Science Education and Community Engagement (WISCIENCE) at the University of Wisconsin for inspiration, training, and support in developing this site. Many of the resources we have made available to students have been adapted from materials developed at WISCIENCE.