Gratified Grad

Organization

To support historically excluded scholars in being their authentic selves while demystifying and expanding the understanding of inclusivity in higher education.

Born and raised in Mobile, Alabama, Latisha received her BS in Biology, minoring in Chemistry, from Dillard University which is a Historically Black College or University. She is a 6th year PhD candidate in Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Molecular Biology Program at The Pennsylvania State University. Her research, conducted under the mentorship of Dr. Wendy Hanna-Rose, explores changes in metabolism as a result of muscle dysfunction related to metabolic diseases. Latisha shows her passion for service through hosting lab tours for elementary students, leading Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion workshops, and mentoring undergraduate as well as graduate students. She received the 2018 Eberly College of Science Climate and Diversity Award, first place award winner at the 2019 I AM STEM student speaking contest, and 2021 recipient of the Pioneer Award presented by the Penn State Paul Robeson Cultural Center. She previously co-chaired the Graduate Women in Science Annual Voices Networking Conference, now called Empower, and founded of the Minority Graduate Students in STEM lunch series. In August 2021, she became a certified and registered yoga instructor.