Destiny Ortiz Fernandez ’ 22 is working with Mitchell to uncover if there is a genetic link between race and two types of kidney cancer : papillary renal cell carcinoma and chromophobe renal cell carcinoma .
“ I think it ’ s really important to study racial health disparities , and how they are impacting communities of color , specifically Black communities ,” says Fernandez , a neuroscience major . “ I hope that this project contributes to a future where health disparities are taken into consideration when looking at how to help communities that are disproportionately impacted by diseases . Knowing that my work is meant to help people who look like me or people from my community is extremely humbling and a privilege . As a Lafayette student , this experience is further prepping me for my future endeavors as a scientist . Under Dr . Mitchell ’ s mentorship , I feel more confident than ever in my skills and knowledge .”
� Learn more about Mitchell ’ s research projects .
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Learn about Mitchell ’ s work serving on Pennsylvania Department of Health COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force .
� Watch a video of Mitchell talking about her work .
� Contact Lafayette ’ s media relations team .
Source : https :// news . lafayette . edu / 2022 / 01 / 27 / why‐are‐cancer‐tumors‐more‐aggressive‐in‐african‐americans
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