PhD student Nicole Calhoun is the recipient of a Genentech Foundation Summer Research Scholarship. The primary goal of the Genentech Foundation programs is to alleviate the need for underrepresented STEM students to work at outside jobs, so they have time to engage in research. Calhoun's program of research focuses on utilization and access to health care services among formerly incarcerated individuals. She has a passion for understanding models of care for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals who suffer from chronic conditions. Her passion for this area of work has resulted in two areas of policy impact: 

1. She started a nonprofit called the Inspire Me Foundation, Inc., which focuses on providing transitional housing for recently released individuals in N.C. and promotes successful reintegration into society. To fulfil this mission. Calhoun collaborates with community resources that provide mental and physical health care services and support services to empower these individuals to transform themselves into viable change agents in society. 

2. She worked with Rep. Derwin L. Montgomery on a bill entitled "Study of State Prison Healthcare System" which aims to assess patient outcomes in the state prisons, medical tracking systems, whether health accreditations should be required and whether uniform prison health care standards would result in increased outcomes and reduced cost of services.

The PhD program faculty and staff are so proud of Nicole. Congratulations, Nicole!