CDU Alumna Awarded Society for Pediatric Research 2022 Prosper Diversity Award
CDU alumna Kasee Houston was awarded the Society for Pediatric Research Promotion of Fellows‘ Pediatric Research (PROSPER) Diversity Award. Houston received her medical degree at the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Sciences/UCLA Program in Medical Education (PRIME).
The PROSPER Diversity Award provides material support and mentoring for a one-year pediatric research project that will facilitate an academic research-focused career trajectory for fellows from under-represented minority backgrounds.
As a physician leader who addresses health disparities, Dr. Houston is an obvious match for this award. Her research interests include neonatal health inequities, as well as identifying solutions to address poor birth and neonatal health outcomes such as preterm birth and low birth weight for marginalized Black/African American and Latinx communities.
The mission of the Society for Pediatric Research is to create a multi-disciplinary network of diverse researchers to improve child health. Implicit in our mission is our foundational commitment to supporting the success of young investigators in child health research through activities that include facilitating connections with peers, potential collaborators and national mentors.”
CDU/UCLA PRIME is a dual degree program leading to the MD and a master’s degree in an area that complements the mission of the program. PRIME leads to the regular MD with special emphasis on leadership and advocacy to address healthcare disparities in medically underserved populations.