Carmella Lewis, a member of the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts Class of 2025, has been selected to participate in the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Summer Research Undergraduate Fellowship (SURF).
Lewis will be participating a 10-week research program in UAMS’ Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology this summer. She will continue research on enzymes that help replicate DNA and contribute to cancer growth which she began during a summer research program at UAMS in summer 2024. Midway through the program, Lewis will have an opportunity to present her research as well as compete in the Arkansas Undergraduate Summer Research Symposium at the end of the program.
The day Lewis found out was an exciting one as she found out she had also been selected for another honor.
“I found out about my acceptance about three hours before I learned I was selected to be a University of Arkansas Honors College Fellow, so needless to say it was quite the evening,” said Lewis of Alma. I am the first high school student to ever be selected for this program, and I was only considered because of the college credit hours I have received as a result of attending ASMSA. I am excited to have the opportunity to continue my research experiences and look forward to an amazing summer.”
Dr. Patrycja Krakowiak, who serves as chair of ASMSA’s Science Department as well as a Life Sciences Instructor of Excellence, said Lewis was considered an undergraduate because of the 64 hours of college credit she had earned through the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith through classes at ASMSA. Krakowiak was excited for Lewis’ acceptance into the program.
“Finding out Carmella earned the SURF fellowship was an incredible surprise because this is not something a high school student has ever received,” said Krakowiak, who served as one project mentors. “There were 82 applicants for SURF this year from 20 states, and only six students were awarded the fellowship.
“I am not just incredibly proud of her. I am thrilled that ASMSA and our Life Science Capstone has helped to catapult her into her educational and career journeys. She has done more than anyone expected, and I know she will continue to do so. We need more people as motivated, devoted and driven as Carmella; she is truly on her path to changing the world.”
Dr. Whitney Holden, who is also a Life Sciences Instructor of Excellence at ASMSA and served as a mentor for Lewis, has personal experience in the fellowship program. Holden participated in the same fellowship while attending the University of Arkansas.
“I’m incredibly proud of Carmella for earning this prestigious internship,” Holden said. “Her dedication over the past two years to her research has been exceptional. This opportunity will open new doors for her growth and discovery as she works toward a career in biomedical research. As her mentor and a former intern in the same program, it’s deeply meaningful to see her journey continue with such success.”