Epidemiology Doctoral Candidate Selected for Induction to Prestigious Honor Society

Oluwafolakemi “Kemi” Ogunsina, an epidemiology doctoral candidate in the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine’s Department of Public Health Sciences, has been selected to be inducted into the Edward A. Bouchet Graduate Honor Society. Ogunsina joins four other University of Miami graduate students and post-doctoral fellows who were previously inducted.

“I am truly honored to be selected as one of the five students from the University of Miami cohort,” Ogunsina said. “The Bouchet Graduate honor society is a prestigious society with talented members who exemplify outstanding personal and professional development. They are dedicated to improving the lives of others. I am very inspired.”

She was nominated by WayWay Hlaing, Ph.D., professor and director of the Ph.D. in Epidemiology program in the Department of Public Health Sciences.

“Kemi always strives for personal and academic excellence,” said Dr. Hlaing. “This is a very well-deserved success.”

The induction ceremony will take place at the Annual Yale University Bouchet Conference on Diversity and Graduate Education held April 8 -9, 2021. Its theme this year is: “Our Social Justice Imperative: Shifting Societal Norms.” The society is named after the late Dr. Bouchet, who was the first African American scholar to earn a Ph.D. from an American university in 1876.

Today, the Bouchet Society recognizes and promotes diversity and excellence in doctoral education and in the professoriate. Inductees like Ms. Ogunsina form a network of scholars who exemplify the society’s five pillars, which include scholarship, leadership, character, service, and advocacy.

Ms. Ogunsina's dissertation research focuses on examining the association of histologic subtypes, including polybrominated diphenyl ether exposure and biomarkers, of thyroid cancer among firefighters. She is a primary investigator on a study examining facilitators and barriers to cancer screening among Black firefighters.

She is also involved in several research projects and has 10 publications to date, where she has served as the first author on three and co-author in seven. Additionally, Ms. Ogunsina served as the president of the department’s Epidemiology Journal Club, as well as a Department of Public Health Sciences Cane student ambassador, where she helped new students adapt to university life.

Written by Amanda Torres

Published on April 7, 2021