Help Shauna finish her final year of school

My name is Shauna Ebanks, a first-generation student from Long Bay, Portland, Jamaica. I am a third-year medical student at All Saints University School of Medicine, Commonwealth of Dominica. I am passionate about healthcare, community work, advocacy and mentorship, which is demonstrated by my involvement in research, community volunteerism and healthcare involvement throughout my life.

As an international student it is difficult to easily access loans, therefore, I have created this fundraiser to raise money to complete my final year of medical school to reduce the burden on my family, approximating US$26000.

Attachment of tuition balance provided:

My story:

Born and raised in the beautiful island of Jamaica, I grew up in the rural area of Long Bay Portland, where most people rely heavily on common herbal remedies and only go to the doctor when they are extremely sick. The limitations of medicine in my childhood made me realize the sacredness of human life and steered me in the direction of pursuing medicine.

Therefore, I have always strived for excellence and worked assiduously to achieve my dream of becoming a medical doctor.

In 2010, I graduated from the noble institution of Titchfield High School in Portland, Jamaica where I served as the head girl. I then went on to do 4 years undergrad at Lincoln University, Pennsylvania, USA on International student scholarship and graduated as the class valedictorian with a bachelor’s degree in biology and minor in Mathematics coupled with summer research internships at University of Pennsylvania, University of Iowa, and Thomas Jefferson medical College. I was among the 8 scholars who were awarded the Educational Testing Services (ETS) scholarship across the US in 2013. I was also selected as Woman of the year at Lincoln University. In a bid to assist others in a similar financial standing as myself, I worked tirelessly in establishing a fund geared at sourcing funds for other high achieving students, this later spanned into a scholarship in which one student was awarded to continue their educational pursuit.

During my tenure at Lincoln University, I volunteered with the Rotaract Club, later serving as a Senator. After doing my undergraduate studies, I pursued ~2 years research at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia coupled with a co-authored publication and two patents in CRISPR gene therapy for Huntington’s disease.

I then went on to do two (2) years master’s degree in Neuroscience at Penn State College of Medicine, Pennsylvania working on Parkinson’s disease, followed by approximately one (1) gap year in research at Penn State College of Medicine. I was awarded a partial scholarship where I travelled to the Commonwealth of Dominica for my four (4) years medical degree at All Saints University School of Medicine, Dominica West Indies with my preclinical years on the island of Dominica and clinical years in approved hospitals in the Caribbean and the US. During my preclinical years, I participated in the school’s student government body as the financial secretary and passed my first US board exam (USMLE Step 1). I am currently a member of American Medical School Association (AMSA) health justice scholars’ program, the Sunday school teacher at my local church, a volunteer at local health fairs, and in the process of doing clinical rotations and preparing for my second US board exam (USMLE Step 2CK).

Title and links to my published work and patents:

Publications:

1. CRISPR/Cas9 Editing of the Mutant Huntingtin Allele In Vitro and In Vivo - PubMed (nih.gov)

2. Neuronally enriched microvesicle RNAs are differentially expressed in the serums of Parkinson’s patients - PMC (nih.gov)

3. REDD1 interacts with AIF and regulates mitochondrial reactive oxygen species generation in the keratinocyte response to UVB - PubMed (nih.gov)

4. Olatunde SK, Amao IO, Ebanks S.A , Adegbola GM , R Richard. Prion-dependent phenotypic hereditary: A Violation of central dogma theory and Lamarckian inheritance WORLD JOURNAL OF ADVANCE HEALTHCARE RESEARCH 6 (2), 2022, 41-47.

5. Immunoinformatics design of B-cell multi-epitope peptide for the diagnosis of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection (https://f1000research.com/articles/12-1167)

Patents:

1. Compositions and Methods for Treating Huntington's Disease and Related Disorders Patent Application (Application #20190055552)

2. CRISPR INTERFERENCE BASED HTT ALLELIC SUPPRESSION AND TREATMENT OF HUNTINGTON DISEASE Patent Application (Application #20210189426)

Book (in preparation):

CHAPTER TITLE: Next-Generation Monoclonal Antibodies for Diagnostic and Therapeutic Applications

BOOK TITLE: Next-Generation Monoclonal Antibodies for Diagnostic and Therapeutic Applications

I have thoroughly enjoyed my medical education thus far. Financially supporting my medical education would not only be an investment in me, but an investment in the patient lives I will impact, the communities I will continue to serve, as well as the next generation of medical doctors I will continue to support and mentor, paying forward the enormous support I received from my mentors. I know it's been a really difficult year for so many people, but I would be so grateful for any help at all you can contribute so I can settle my balance and get through this final year of medical school.

Thank you very much for any help you can offer, whether that's by sharing this campaign, or any donation; everything counts. I sincerely appreciate it.