Alesha Hammond is a young lady who has accomplished a remarkable feat: she earned her PhD in biomedical engineering at the age of 25, making her one of the 3.1% of black women in the US who hold a doctoral degree. In this blog post, we will learn more about her journey, her research, and her aspirations for the future.
Alesha was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, where she developed a passion for science and math from an early age. She attended a magnet high school that specialized in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education, and excelled in her classes. She also participated in various extracurricular activities, such as robotics, chess, and debate clubs.
She applied to several prestigious universities, and received a full scholarship to attend Harvard University, where she majored in biomedical engineering. She graduated with honors in 2019, and decided to pursue her PhD at the same institution. She was motivated by her desire to contribute to the advancement of medical technology and improve the health outcomes of people around the world.
Her PhD research focused on developing a novel nanomaterial that can be used to deliver drugs to specific cells in the body, such as cancer cells. She worked under the supervision of Professor Xiang Zhang, a renowned expert in nanotechnology and bioengineering. She published several papers in high-impact journals, and presented her work at various conferences. She also received several awards and grants for her research excellence.
She completed her PhD dissertation in 2022, and successfully defended it in front of a committee of distinguished professors. She received her PhD degree in May 2022, becoming one of the youngest doctoral graduates in Harvard’s history. She also became one of the few black women who have earned a PhD in biomedical engineering in the US.
According to the National Science Foundation, only 3.1% of black women in the US had a doctoral degree as of 2019, compared to 9.7% of white women and 6.5% of Asian women. Moreover, only 0.6% of black women had a doctoral degree in engineering, compared to 2.4% of white women and 2.1% of Asian women.
Alesha is aware of the challenges and barriers that black women face in pursuing higher education and careers in STEM fields. She hopes to inspire and mentor other young girls and women of color who share her passion for science and engineering. She also plans to continue her research as a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard, and eventually become a professor at a leading university.
Alesha Hammond is a young lady who has achieved her PhD at 25 and joined the elite group of black women with doctoral degrees in the US. She is an example of excellence, perseverance, and innovation. She is a role model for all aspiring scientists and engineers, especially those from underrepresented groups. She is a trailblazer who is making a difference in the world with her knowledge and skills.
Reference:
National Science Foundation (2020). Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering: 2019. Retrieved from https://ncses.nsf.gov/pubs/nsf19304/digest
