CCHS Student Celebrated at Tufts for Studying OCD in Mice

The following was provided by Tufts University.

’s Edward Akubude was among 33 Massachusetts high school students celebrated earlier this month at the Tufts University School of Medicine for their participation and achievements in the School’s 2012 Teachers and High School Student Program. 

The program is one of Tufts’ signature initiatives to encourage high school students with diverse backgrounds to explore their interest in medicine and biomedical sciences. Established in 1989, the Tufts program supports the careers of aspiring young doctors and scientists by engaging them in a range of clinical and research opportunities across the Tufts Health Sciences campus in Boston. 

“Tufts University is committed to nurturing scientific curiosity among young people of diverse backgrounds, particularly those from communities that are underrepresented in medicine and the health sciences,” said Harris Berman, M.D., dean of Tufts University School of Medicine. “The extraordinary students who participated in our high school program this summer have contributed immeasurably to the Tufts community, and we are proud to offer high school students the opportunity to launch promising careers as health professionals.”  

Selected high school students participated in a seven-week program and spent up to 25 hours each week in various positions at Tufts University School of Medicine, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, Sackler Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Tufts or Tufts Medical Center.  Students also took a gross anatomy course taught by Tufts medical students and gained knowledge of laboratory-based science; in the process, students developed relationships with medical and graduate student mentors that Tufts expects will continue beyond the summer program.

During an event held Aug. 3, Akubude and other students presented the findings of their independent studies before friends, family and the Tufts community. Akubude’s presentation was on “Reduction of OCD symptoms in mice.”

Tufts’ Teachers and High School Students Program is one of our key initiatives to support the educational development of youth in our community, according to Joyce Sackey, dean for multicultural affairs and global health and associate professor at Tufts University School of Medicine.

“Our summer program for high school students offers invaluable experience to young people who might not otherwise have opportunities to explore their budding interests in medicine and the biomedical sciences,” Sackey said.