Meet the Latest Cohort of HSSU Interns

March 17, 2026

The Midwest Developmental Center for AIDS Research is thrilled to introduce the second cohort of interns for the Harris-Stowe State University (HSSU), St. Louis City Department of Health (DOH), and STAR (Stimulating Training and Access to HIV Research Experiences) Program. This opportunity is designed to help dedicated HSSU students gain hands-on experience in the field of HIV research and public health.

The second cohort includes four remarkable interns who are ready to learn and make an impact on public health in St. Louis and beyond.

Amiya Jones: A Future Nurse with a Passion for Community Health

Amiya Jones

Amiya Jones is a Presidential Scholar and an active member of the Honors College at HSSU, where she studies Biology with a Pre-Medicine Concentration. Outside of class, Amiya serves as Executive Secretary of the Student Government Association, a student ambassador, peer mentor, and Basileus of the Alpha Delta Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority.

Amiya aspires to combine her interest in science with a passion for working with children and families: “My primary career goal is to become a pediatric travel nurse serving diverse communities across the country. Understanding HIV epidemiology, prevention strategies, and community health is essential for the type of nursing I want to practice. I want to be a nurse who not only cares for patients at the bedside but also understands the larger public health systems shaping their health outcomes. Learning how HIV spreads, which communities are most impacted, and how prevention programs are designed will strengthen my ability to provide holistic, culturally-responsive care. Additionally, gaining experience in data collection and community outreach will teach me how to assess community needs, skills that will be important as I travel and serve different populations. This internship will expose me to public health professionals who can help me connect the dots between clinical care and public health. It will also help me understand the importance of interprofessional collaboration between clinicians, researchers, and community organizations. Participating in this program will enhance my clinical readiness, deepen my understanding of health disparities, and prepare me to be a pediatric travel nurse who promotes prevention, education, and equitable access to care in every community I serve.”

Masaury Eure: Supporting the Community Through Education

Masaury Eure is a fourth-year Biology major hailing from Omaha, Nebraska. Masaury has conducted research on the impact of mycorrhizal plant association in kidney beans, and recently submitted an abstract to the Emerging Researchers National Conference in Atlanta. With a passion for health and fitness, Masaury intends to pursue a career in Occupational Therapy. She is currently training to become a Registered Behavioral Tech to gain hands-on experience with clients.

To Masaury, the HSSU STLDOH STAR internship represents an opportunity to absorb knowledge that she can pass on to others: “[This program will grant me] the opportunity to be surrounded by health professionals and researchers who I can learn from. Learning doesn't stop when you now know simple information about a concept; learning is [something you do actively]. Participating in [this internship will teach me about HIV research and public health and] allow me to educate others as well. I know that I will take full advantage of this internship by asking questions and actively engaging day to day. My passion is to work with individuals with disabilities and help them to feel fulfilled in their everyday life. This internship will introduce me to health professionals I can learn and take advice from. This experience will equip me with invaluable experience, and I plan to apply it to my future patients.”

Trinity Harris: Translating HIV Research into Practice

Trinity Harris

Trinity Harris is a third-year Biology major at HSSU. Through her academic coursework, she has built a foundation in scientific priciples and laboratory practices. She works as a Biology Lab Teaching Assistant and has a strong passion for research, as well as public health practice.

Trinity is committed to translating research into action: “I'm interested in how research can directly improve patient outcomes, especially for communities disproportionately affected by HIV. As someone aiming to become a radiologist, I want to understand how HIV impacts the body and how early detection and [evidence-based] interventions can make a difference in patient care. Participating in the HSSU STLDOH STAR Midwest D-CFAR Internship will give me hands-on experience in HIV research, helping me develop skills in study design, data analysis, and interpreting results. It will also give me the opportunity to learn from mentors and collaborate with peers, strengthening my ability to connect research findings to clinical applications.”

Arnezsia Kimbrough: Intersecting Science and Impact

Arnezsia Kimbrough

Arnezsia Kimbrough is a fourth-year Biology major with a Pre-Medicine Concentration. She is an Honors student, Board of Regents Scholarship recipient, and TRIP Scholar. She works as a research assistant in the Plant Biology Laboratory and is passionate about connecting science with real-world impact.

Growing up in St. Louis, Arneszia grew up “seeing what happens when certain communities don’t get equal access to healthcare, resources, or accurate information.” She sees the HSSU STLDOH STAR internship as an opportunity to grow as a researcher, serve her community, and prepare for a career where science and impact come together.

“My long-term professional goal is to work in the biomedical laboratory field as a Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS), with a strong interest in infectious diseases and diagnostic testing. The HSSU STLDOH STAR Internship will support these goals by giving me hands-on experience with research related to HIV and public health. Being able to work with mentors who specialize in virology, epidemiology, and health disparities will expand my scientific knowledge and offer practical skills that go beyond classroom learning. I want to learn more about study design, laboratory workflows, data interpretation, and how research findings are used to shape real public health interventions. This internship will also help me grow as a researcher by giving me the chance to participate in meaningful projects, ask questions, and build confidence in my abilities. I’m especially interested in understanding how HIV intersects with social factors in St. Louis, because it ties directly to my commitment to serving underserved communities. Overall, this program will be an important step toward preparing for graduate training and becoming a laboratory professional who is both scientifically skilled and community-focused.”

Harvey Fields, PhD, Founding Dean and Assistant Professor of Chemistry at the College of STEM at HSSU, expressed enthusiasm about the internship, particularly the recent integration of the STAR Program: “The D-CFAR internship continues to provide opportunity for HSSU students to develop professionally via the internship’s mentoring and engagement modalities. The merging of the internship program with STAR has enhanced the internship experience and provided clarity for evaluating internship outcomes.  HSSU students are embracing the evolution of the internship program and demonstrating ownership of the deliverables.”

The professional development journey of these interns is supported through invaluable partnerships, community involvement, and organizational support. We thank our partners at HSSU, STLDOH, and STAR for their commitment to supporting these incredible interns.

Written by Kate Gershwin.