The Journal of Young Investigators: An Undergraduate, Peer-Reviewed Science Journal

Falishia Sloan

Falishia has been a part of JYI since her freshman year, beginning as a Science Journalist, then a News and Features Editor, and now the Senior News and Features Editor. Falishia completed her undergraduate education at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA, with a major in biology and a double minor in Spanish and French. In her sophomore year of college, Falishia earned early acceptance into medical school with acceptance into the ODU/EVMS Joint Program in Medicine. Throughout her undergraduate education, Falishia worked in a number of labs in the areas of neuroscience and biochemistry. Her latest project on the effect of mutations on the rate of ATP hydrolysis in the myosin-V active site (which has implications in Griscelli’s disease) earned her admittance as the only undergraduate attendee at the EVMS Research Day event, in addition to the opportunity to host a research seminar at her university and participate in her university’s first annual Undergraduate Research Symposium. Falishia has also studied adult stem cells, and completed her senior Biology Seminar research project on the use of non-myeloablative autologous adult stem cell therapy in the treatment of multiple sclerosis. Falishia served as various officers of the pre-health club and Alpha Epsilon Delta pre-medical honor society, won awards for her work as a reporter for her university newspaper, and has acted as the Student Representative on her university’s Undergradaute Research Committee, successfully aiding in the creation of a new research apprenticeship program for her university. In addition to her research, Falishia has also worked in a Norfolk hospital as an Emergency Room (ER) Scribe, serving as both a Scribe and a Scribe Trainer. Falishia graduated in the Spring of 2009 with Latin and Biology honors in addition to Spanish and French honors. She will enter Eastern Virginia Medical School in the fall of 2009, where she will pursue an MD degree. Falishia plans to specialize in neurology and conduct translational research in neuroscience, specifically in neurodegenerative disease. In her free time, Falishia enjoys watching movies, playing video games, reading, writing, playing the piano, and traveling.

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