Donte Lewis ‘26, BS Cell and Molecular Biology | Los Angeles, CA
What inspired you to pursue your current field of study/research?
My passion for science ignited in high school when I was exposed to cancer research at the Ellison Institute of Medicine where I was a summer research intern. I then pursued an internship at the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) due to my interest in the growing opioid crisis in my community. These experiences inspired me to pursue my degree in cell and molecular biology.
What does winning a Science Connects to Innovation Scholarship mean to you?
Winning the Science Connects to Innovation Scholarship is a moment in my scientific career and personal journey I will never forget. It is more than just a financial encouragement; it is affirming that my passion for scientific inquiry can be applied to real-world challenges. Knowing that the College of Science believes in the fusion of science and innovation inspires me to pursue my passions to an even higher level.
What do you plan to use the Science Connects to Innovation Scholarship for?
I plan to use the Science Connects to Innovation Scholarship to continue to fund my collegiate studies to help strengthen my scientific insights.
How has implementing entrepreneurship impacted your view on science and/or your current research/study area?
Entrepreneurship has allowed me to view science from a more creative perspective. I am allowed to think beyond traditional boundaries and explore theoretical research with real-world applications. Embracing an entrepreneurial mindset has challenged the way I approach my studies/research because now I see them as inventive problem-solving.
Where do you see your entrepreneurship ideas going in the next few years?
I see my entrepreneurial ideas expanding over the next few years. Now that I have a baseline of what can be accomplished, the possibilities are endless.
What advice would you give science students interested in entrepreneurship?
I would encourage anyone with any idea to pursue it. All it takes is one person to believe in your ideas and that one person must always be yourself.
What is something that you are most proud of?
I am most proud to be a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. to serve the community that molded me into the person and scientist I am today.
