March 2023 Page 8 CDU Newsletter
Sculptor Nijel Binns Visits CDU Campus
CDU Biomedical Sciences Enrichment Program is Thriving
The CDU Biomedical Sciences The Biomedical Enrichment Enrichment Program : Mentoring Program immerses students and Workforce Development is in a structured comprehensive underway and providing cohorts curriculum designed for of COSH students with a unique preparation for careers in opportunity to expand their BioMed / BioTech . Through their career potential . The program , participation in the program , which kicked off in October 2022 , students will be matched seeks to expose CDU students to with industry and research the various fields of Biomedical mentors , attend professional and Biotechnology research , development workshops and professional development , and biotech / biomed conferences , workforce development . and receive workforce / internship opportunities . The The first “ cohort ” of the inaugural cohort will conclude 10-month-long program its first year by participating in currently underway is a research symposium poster composed of 22 students from presentation in July 2023 . the Undergraduate Biomedical Sciences and Public Health The Biomedical Enrichment Program and the Master ’ s in Program is a part of a 5-year grant Biomedical Sciences Program . funded by the Chan Zuckerberg The enrichment program is led Initiative Foundation . Hologic by COSH Dean Dr . Monica Ferrini and Kaiser Permanente are also and Program Development sponsors . The program leaders Manager Brittney Miller along are intent to seek more funding with Program Faculty Dr . Silvana to continue the program in the Constatinescu , and Laboratory future . Coordinator Thalia Jiminez .
Nijel Binns , the world renown sculptor who , among many achievements , created sculptures such as the one of Mervyn M . Dymally located in the LSRNE Building Foyer , visited CDU . He hosted a compelling conversation about art and healing focused on the African Diaspora around the globe .
During the event , Mr . Binns presented an update on the Mother of Humanity Monument project , which is permanently installed at the Watts Labor Community Action Committee . He shared that a replica of the “ Mother of Humanity ’’ monument will be erected in Cameroon and scaled up to stand taller than the Statue of Liberty .
“ It was a pleasure to watch Nijel speak ,” said Alvaro Santizo , a student intern in CDU ’ s Office of International Affairs from Verbum Dei Jesuit High School in South Los Angeles . “ The way he captivated the crowd with his passion and words was surreal .”
Nijel was born in England in 1956 and became a United States citizen in the ‘ 60s . In 2015 , he unveiled a monument to the Honorable Mervyn M . Dymally in his home town of Cedros , Trinidad , which is a larger version of the one on display in the LSRNE lobby .