Los Angeles, CA — Tameka Watson, a senior high school student at King/Drew Magnet High
School of Medicine and Science was selected as the first prize winner of a coveted National
Institutes of Health (NIH) research award this past summer. 

Ms. Watson was one of Charles Drew University’s high school summer students who came to Dr. Suzanne Porszash-Reisz’ laboratory in June 2007.  “She was looking for a research project,” said
Dr. Porszash-Reisz, Associate Professor of the University’s Department of Biomedical Sciences,
“to complete within the six weeks umbrella of the NIH/NIDDK Step-up Program.”  The result was a project titled: Changes in Skeletal Muscle Fiber Composition in Genetically Modified Mice.”  Over 200 students participated and Ms. Watson received the highest achievement in her oral presentation,
and got a perfect score.

The entire University extends their congratulations to Tameka Watson!  We have full confidence that she will continue with her medical studies and one day walk out of our institution as an accomplished medical professional.