EVENT SCHEDULE
TIME EVENT LOCATION
8:30AM - 9:15AM Registration
9:30AM - 9:45AM Opening Remarks
9:45AM - 10:15AM Keynote Address
10:30AM - 11:50AM
Student Presentation Session I Poster & Entrepreneurial Showcase
12:00PM - 12:50PM Lunch & Learn Session
1:00PM - 2:15PM
Student Presentation Session II Poster & Entrepreneurial Showcase
2:30PM - 3:45PM Oral Presentations: Lightening Talks and Performances
4:00PM - 5:00PM Alumni Panel Discussion Topic: Sustainability, Innovation & Entrepreneurial Impact
Bank of America Auditorium
Shirley A. Massey Executive Conference Center
Walter E. Massey Leadership Center Rooms
Shirley A. Massey Executive Conference Center
Bank of America Auditorium
ABOUT DREAM MAKERS SUMMIT
The Morehouse Dream Makers Summit is a showcase of student excellence in scholarship, creativity, and innovation. It aims to honor Morehouse College students’ intellect while fostering connections between the College and external partners. The Dream Makers Summit is held annually during National Undergraduate Research Week. Now in its third year, the 2025 Dream Makers Summit will feature over 100 student presentations from across all disciplines of the College. Additionally, notable alumni will share their insights with the Men of Morehouse.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
SHADEED ABDUL-SALAAM ‘00
DIRECTOR OF SUSTAINABILITY
MOREHOUSE COLLEGE
ARTESIUS MILLER, PH.D. ‘09 FOUNDER & CEO
UTOPLAN ACADEMY FOR THE ARTS
ALUMNI SPEAKERS
ANGEL INVESTOR, LAWYER, EQUITY & SOCIAL JUSTICE ADVOCATE
COURTNEY
ENGLISH ‘07
ANDRE DICKENS
CHIEF POLICY OFFICER & SENIOR ADVISOR TO MAYOR
CAM KIRK ‘11 FOUNDER
CAM KIRK STUDIOS COLLECTIVE GALLERY
RONALD “CASH” FALLS JR. ‘00
SESSION I
STUDENT PRESENTERS
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING & MATHEMATICS
UNIMASHI AKANDE, Junior, Biology: Atlanta’s growing invasive plant population’s impact on soil health and microbiome
ISAIAH FRAZIER, Junior, Biology: The Characterization of 3D Printed Cerium Oxide Hyaluronic Acid Scaffolds
XAVIER GIRVAN, Senior, Biology: When Vape Comes to a Head: Neurological Effects from Metals Emitted from E-cigarette Use: A Literature Review
MYLES GOSHA, Senior, Biology: Investigating the Bioactivity of Secondary Metabolites from Fungus-Cultivating Ants
JULIAN HUTCHINS, Junior, Mathematics: Positive Steady-State Varieties of Small Chemical Reaction Networks
CAMERON IVEY, Senior, Biology: Impact of Smooth Muscle Myosin Mutations Associated with Aortic Aneurysm
KHALIL JOHNSON, Senior, Biology: Atlanta’s growing invasive plant population’s impact on soil health and microbiome
JAVEN KENT, Senior, Biology: Fred Hutchinson REACH Program Herbold Computational Biology
JOSH KYEI, Senior, Mathematics: Flattening the Cortex with Circle Packing
MALIK RICHARDSON, Senior, Biology: The Impact of Clonal Hematopoiesis in Patients with Valvular Heart Disease
ANTHONY ROSS, Senior, STEM: Irish Sea Moss (Chondus Crispus) Inhibition of LNCaP Prostate Cancer Cell Proliferation
PHILMORE WEEKES, Senior, Dual-Degree Engineering: Fostering Leadership Opportunities Using Robotics In Service & Humanity (F.L.O.U.R.I.S.H)
KOLLIN WHITE, Junior, Biology: Enhancing Lung Cancer Screening Adherence: The Role of Community Support Programs in Addressing Health-Related Social Risks
BUSINESS, ECONOMICS & ENTREPRENEURSHIP
MATHIAS BLAKE, Junior, Economics: Brain Drain and the Impact in Developing Economies: The Case of India
BRANDON CABEZAS, Senior, Communications: Pure Empowerment
JOSEPH COSBY, Senior, Business Finance: The Home Depot
JONATHAN JOHNSON, Junior, Economics: Technology Transfer between the United States and Brazil
SPRING TOUR
STUDENT PRESENTERS
MALONE HEMSLEY, Senior, Psychics: SPRING TOUR: Sustainability in Japan: A Model of Balance Across the Three Pillars
LANGSTON JACKSON, Senior, Business Administration: SPRING TOUR: Building A Sustainable Workforce: Japan’s Response to Population Decline and Immigration Trends
DAVID RICKETTS, Senior, Business Administration: SPRING TOUR: From Tragedy to Sustainability: Hiroshima’s Peace Park as a Global Model
EVAN SANDERS, Senior, Business Finance: SPRING TOUR: Coca-Cola Japan: Moving the Needle of Sustainability
KENNETH UGO, Junior, Business Administration: SPRING TOUR: Sustainability in the Hotel Industry – IHG: A Case Study of Six Senses Kyoto
SOCIAL SCIENCES
JADEN DAVIS, Senior, Psychology: The Effects of Birding on Perceived Stress, Anxiety, Mood, and Mindfulness Levels of College Students
KADE DAVIS, Junior, Sociology: Framing the Fight: How does the Framing of Police Brutality Affect how the Audience Assigns Blame
JAYDEN ELLISON, Senior, Psychology: Soaring Spirits: The Effects of Birding on Mood and Mental Wellness
OBI MICHAEL EMEROLE, Senior, Psychology: Mindfulness and Cognition
SHILOH HENRY, Junior, Economics: Exposure Brought From The 2016 Panama Canal Expansion: Global Trade Flows and Growth in Latin America
MYLES NDIRITU, Junior, International Studies: Examining Polling Location Changes After The Shelby Decision
JOSEPH SMYLIE, Senior, Psychology: Birding and Well-Being
HUMANITIES
ELIJAH MEGGINSON, Senior, English: The Human Cost of Nuclear Weapons: Lessons from Nihon Hidankyo’s Nobel Lecture
ALEXANDER QUICK, Junior, English: Why We Can’t Push the Button
NAAZIR STAFFORD, Senior, English: The Path towards Nuclear Disarmament
BRYSON WHITE, Junior, History: They Went To College Early
DYLAN WILLIAMS, Senior, English: Nihon Hidankyo and the Fight for Nuclear Disarmament
ENTREPRENEURIAL SHOWCASES
STUDENT PRESENTERS
THOMAS BITTINGS, Junior, Computer Science: Goldilocks Smart Solution LLC
QUINCY BOX, Senior, Business Administration: Qtech Innovations
CALEB DIXON, Senior, Political Science: Prototype
MILES FINLEY, Sophomore, Economics: Flock(CCP)
DEVIN FLETCHER, Senior, Business Administration- Marketing: twentytwoeightsix
JAKYLAN FULLER REED, Junior, Computer Science: The BIT
JORDAN GOINGS, Senior, Psychology: Xccelerate Motors, Corp.
CHASE HEARD, Senior, Biology: Chase Da Dream Enterprises, LLC
IAN JACKSON, Senior, Business Administration - Finance: Ordinary Odds
ANIABA N’GUESSAN, Senior, Computer Science, Mathematics, Economics: Viridis-Ai
JAIRE RICHARDSON, Sophomore, Economics, Business Administration - Marketing: Adve Marketing
DYLEN RICHMOND, Junior, Journalism in Sports, Culture & Social Justice: M-PAGE Panama
KOBE RYAN HULETT, Senior, Computer Science: Our Lost Pieces
CHRISTOPHER WALKER, Senior, Philosophy: Afro Eats - Pan Africa Fusion
JUSTIN WASHINGTON, Senior, Computer Science: JUS creative Communications Agency, “3volution”, “AvonGuard”, or “Good vs Evil”. (Stil weighing options)
MICHAEL WASHINGTON, Senior, Computer Science: OnCamp
DENMARK WOODY, Sophomore, Business Administration Finance: Dabois El Jefe: Empowering Individuality through One-of-One Fashion
SESSION II
STUDENT PRESENTERS
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING & MATHEMATICS
ROBERT BRIGGS, JR., Sophomore, Software Engineering: A Knowledge Graph Infrastructure for Advancing Discovery and Collaboration Across the Research Ecosystem
AYDEN CLARK-VEAL, Senior, Biology: Candidate Genes for Increasing Root Biomass of Arabidopsis Thaliana
ALIMAMY CONTEH, Junior, Biology: The Role of Type I Interferon Signaling in Allergic Inflammation: Quantification of the Inflammatory Response in Mice with Allergic Airway Disease
CHARLES GOODEN, Senior, Biology: Examining the Role of Autophagy in Obesity-Associated Leptin-Mediated Docetaxel Resistance in LNCaP Prostate Cancer Cells
MALCOLM JOLLEY, Sophomore, Biology: Examining the Relationship Between and Race Differences in Serum Levels of Polychlorinated Biphenyls, Leukocyte Telomere Length, and Prostate-Specific Antigen
LOGAN JONES, Sophomore, Biology: Transmission of Symbiont Through Squash Bug Generations
IKENNA NWOKE, Junior, Biology: Re-defining Traditional Environmental Advocacy
KHARI RIVERS, Senior, Dual-Degree Engineering: Three-Dimensional printing of 4-valve Pneumatic Valve for Automated Chromatography Components
PASCAL UCHEHARA, Senior, Chemistry: Determination of Optimal DNA and RNA Extraction Protocols from Formalin Fixed Paraffin Embedded Tissue for Long-Read Sequencing Applications
AARON WALKER, Senior, Biology: Investigating Interconnectedness of Water Quality and Social Equity in a Metropolitan Urban Stream Watershed
ALI WHITE, Junior, Dual-Degree Engineering: Bioinspired Wing Design Tested in Real Life Conditions
KENDRICK WILLIAMS II, Junior, Biology: Phenotypical Comparison of Brg1 with Prdm 3/16 Mutants in Zebrafish
BUSINESS, ECONOMICS & ENTREPRENEURSHIP
MCMILLON CAMP, Senior, Economics: Impact of U.S.-China Trade Relations on CARICOM Economies
EARLE HORTON, Junior, Economics: Brics and the NDB
OMARI REID, SENIOR, Economics: Brics, the Yuan, and De-Dollarization) International Economics Study
AMARI TORRANCE, Senior, Economics: The Long-Term Financial Impact of Tariff Wars: A Study of U.S., China, Canada, and Mexico
EDUCATION
JATAVIUS ANDERSON, Senior, Education: Breaking the Cycle: How SEL Can Mitigate Exclusionary Discipline in Schools
TERRANCE EVANS, Junior, Education/Communication Studies: First-Generation College Students
STUDENT PRESENTERS
ASA GOURDINE, Senior, Education: The Impact of First-Year Friendships on Student Retention at AUC Institutions
IKHWAN JAMES, Junior, Education: Prepared or Vulnerable? A Deep Dive into School Shooting Prevention Strategies in Metro Atlanta
ROBERT JEFFREY, Junior, Education: AUCC Marching Bands
MICHAEL JONES, Junior, Education: Navigating Regional Differences: Academic, Social, Cultural, and Psychological Challenges of International Students at the Atlanta University Center
MARCELLIS MCQUEEN, Junior, Education: Rooted and Rising: Retaining Black Educators to Empower Black Students
JOHNNY SIMMONS, Junior, Education: Enhancing Language Arts Achievement for Black Middle School Students in Low-Income Orlando Schools
MICHAEL SIMMONS, Junior, Education: The Power of Place: An Exploration of Black Male Belonging in Educational Spaces
SOCIAL
SCIENCES
BRAYLON BODISON, Sophomore, Political Science: The Dilemma of Green Development: The Global Lithium Battery Supply Chain and the Resource Curse
JANCI FINKLEY, Senior, Economics: BRICS+ and Entrepreneurship: Challenging Silicon Valley
JESSE JACKSON, Junior, Economics/Mathematics: Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Developing Countries – Impact on Trade and Development
ANIABA N’GUESSAN, Senior, Computer Science, Mathematics, Economics: Dynamics and Prospects of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES)
MATTHEW ROBINSON, Junior, Economics: Migrant Workers and the Mass Deportation of Mexican Laborers
SETH SANDERS, Senior, Economics: Music’s Neighboring Rights: A Global Perspective
DONYAE SMITH, Junior, Economics: Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Developing Countries – Impact on Trade
CANAAN TOMLIN, Senior, Economics: The Energy Nexus: How BRICS+ Oil Exporters Influence Global Supply Chains
OMAR WHITE-EVANS, Junior, Computer Science: Bridging the Digital Divide: An Infrastructure for Financial Inclusion of Homeless Panhandlers
MEDIA & ARTS
JOUVENCE BENOIT, Freshman, Music: The Progression of Haitian music from Rara to Raboday
BRADLEY ROSS JACKSON, Junior, Journalism: Social Justice Poem
JORDAN TURNER, Junior, Communication Studies: The College Collective
ENTREPRENEURIAL SHOWCASES
STUDENT PRESENTERS
NASIR BARNES, Senior, Computer Science: Fractional Solar
BLAKE BEAUVAIS, Senior, Communication Studies: LovingStone
JUSTIN BOX, Senior, Economics: TradeImpact Analytics
DEONDRAY EPPS, Senior, Business Administration- Marketing: Morehouse Motors
JIVONNE FELICIANO, Junior, Economics: SneakerCard
MICHAEL GRIFFIN, Senior, Computer Science: Griffin Innovations
KAMIR HODGE, Junior, Business Administration- Marketing, Communication Studies: Ovrlookd LLC
THEOPHILUS MINJA, Freshman, Business Administration- Marketing: Makat Motivational
ALEX OGE, Sophomore, Business Administration - Finance
IKENNA OJIEGBE, Senior, Business Administration- Marketing: 2Sneakyyy
JOSEPH PATTERSON, Freshman, Business Administration- Marketing: Evara Clothing
MICHAEL PHILLIPS, Senior, Business Administration - Marketing
RAHMON SCRUGGS, Senior, Business Administration - Finance: Vintage Supply
ANTONIO SWEENEY, Junior, Communication Studies: Amazing Tents and Chairs
SHAWN TURNER, Junior, Business Administration - Finance: AquaVine Farming Co.
LIGHTENING TALKS
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING & MATHEMATICS
ASHTON BRANDON, Junior, Psychology: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings: A Sound-Based Relaxation Study
AMARI GRAY, Junior, Computer Science: An Early Study on Air Pollution in Minority Communities in the State of Georgia
MALONE HEMSLEY, Senior, Physics: Combined Machine and Human Learning Facilitates Fast Robot Turns on Steep Granular Slopes
ZAHIR NI AMEN, Junior, Biology: Re-defining Traditional Environmental Advocacy
MEDIA
& ARTS
ALONZO JONES, Senior, Cinema, Television & Emerging Media Studies: B.I.O.- Black Innovators and Originators
MILTON ROGERS, Junior, Africana Studies: Painting a Legacy: The Impact of Black Makeup Artist in Beauty History
EDUCATION
EVAN SPANN, Junior, Psychology: The Educational Impact of West African Study Abroad Experience for Black Male Collegians
SOCIAL SCIENCES
TYLER HENDERSON, Senior, Psychology: Finding Identity and Revolution: Boykin’s Triple Quandary, Racial Socialization, and the Construction of Black Pro-Wrestlers’ Personas
AMIR JOHNSON, Senior, Biology: Intuition in Motion: The Utility of Traditional Gender Roles in Bachata Pedagogy
KYSHAN NICHOLS-SMITH, Senior, Political Science: Conflict or Community? Conservatism, Linked Fate, and The Future of Black Political Participation
JOSHUA-TAYLOR STROEING, Senior, International Affairs: Political Attitudes about the Farmer-Herder Conflict in Different Nigerian Populations
HUMANITIES
LINDEN YOUNG, Junior, Philosophy: Exploring Frantz Fanon: Code-Switching and Self-Aggrandizement
PROTECTING YOUR IDEAS
LUNCH & LEARN SPONSORS
This session will provide an overview of intellectual property (IP) and how to navigate the complexities of protecting and leveraging your research and creative endeavors.
Facilitators:
JAMES LILLARD,PH.D., Senior Associate Dean Research, Innovation and Commercialization, Morehouse School of Medicine
MIKE BINNS, Head of Patents & Trade Secrets, Meta
CULTURAL COMPETENCY FOR WORKING ACROSS CULTURES
In this session on participants will learn the importance of effective communication, collaboration, and personal and professional growth, and be better equipped to navigate and thrive in an increasingly diverse and interconnected world.
Facilitators:
RENAE MURPHY BURESS, Global Inclusion & Diversity Leader, Building Automation Division, Honeywell
NETWORKING AND THE ELEVATOR PITCH
Attendees will learn how to craft a concise and impactful introduction that highlight their strengths and aspirations, as well as discover techniques for building genuine connections and practice delivering their pitch with confidence
Facilitators:
KENNETH HOLIDAY, Senior Recruiting Consultant, Southern Company
LAW, PUBLIC POLICY, AND ADVOCACY
This session will provide an overview of the recent Executive Orders and their potential impact on Higher Education. Facilitators:
MICAH BURBANKS-IVEY, Attorney, Holland & Knight(Washington, D.C.)
JEMIAH WILLIAMS, Public Affairs Advisor, Holland & Knight(Washington, D.C.)
PREPARING FOR GRADUATE SCHOOL
Considering graduate school but not sure where to start? Whether you’re asking, “Is grad school right for me?” or deciding between offers, this session offers a clear overview of the entire process.
Facilitators:
AMANDA MARIE JAMES, PH.D., Chief Diversity Officer (CDO) and Associate Dean, Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Engagement, James T. Laney School of Graduate Studies at Emory University, Faculty, Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences at Emory University
CAREERS IN THE PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY
This session will provide an overview of careers in the pharmaceutical industry, with special focus on AbbVie’s pharmaceutical sales program.
Facilitators:
JOY JACKSON-GUILFORD, M.S., PH.D., Director, Pipeline Partnerships
JONELLE PIETERSON, Sr. Project Specialist, Pipeline Partnerships
TONY SHAW, MBA ’88, Regional Sales Director – Midwest, Rheumatology
