Promise Alumni- Aubrey Reed
Aubrey Reed is a 2015 graduate of Kalamazoo Central High School, and 2019 graduate of the University of Michigan where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Microbiology. She is currently pursuing a MD/PhD at Emory University in Atlanta, GA.
When The Kalamazoo Promise was announced in 2005, it was with the intention that by significantly reducing the financial barrier posed by college tuition, students would be empowered to truly live their dreams. For Promise Alumna Aubrey Reed, the scholarship allowed her to explore her interests and ultimately pursue her passion.
Aubrey is a 2015 graduate of Kalamazoo Central High School, and 2019 graduate of the University of Michigan where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Microbiology.
The announcement of The Kalamazoo Promise brought Aubrey and her family to the Kalamazoo Public Schools (KPS) district when she was in fourth grade. She appreciated the opportunity to learn with students from all walks of life.
“I enjoyed the lessons I learned being a student in Kalamazoo. The diversity of our student body is unparalleled to most of my peers throughout undergrad, my gap years and now in medical school.”
Aubrey’s decision to pursue a path in research and medicine began during her time in KPS. Her interest in the field and curiosity around the human immune system stems from a life-changing experience she had as a child.
“The reason I decided to go into medicine is because I had cancer as a kid,” she shared. “I was amazed by the human body, and how it works. I knew I wanted to learn everything about it.”
Aubrey’s interest in STEM grew throughout her time in KPS. Through participating in programs such as the Kalamazoo Area Mathematics and Science Center (KAMSC) during her freshman and sophomore year, and in AP classes, Aubrey began to better hone her interests and saw the options available to her after high school.
Eligible for 90% of The Promise, Aubrey began looking at schools where she could use her scholarship during her senior year in 2015.
Aubrey showcasing her first research project during her freshman year at UMICH as a part of UROP.
“I was very nervous applying to undergrad. I applied to every school in Michigan. It was also the first year that private colleges were covered by The Promise, so there were plenty of options for me to consider.”
After considering all the educational pathways that she could pursue, Aubrey decided to attend The University of Michigan.
“I picked Michigan for the social atmosphere, study abroad programs, and because it was the big college experience that I always wanted.”
During college, Aubrey explored many different majors. Her willingness to try different experiences eventually led her to a major in Microbiology.
“Microbiology at Michigan was an amazing opportunity to learn more about the immune system, microbiology, and microflora. I think I changed my major six times, and microbiology was the one that stuck.”
In her freshman year, she was involved in Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP), where she engaged in research and creative projects with renowned scientists. Aubrey credits this program for providing the path to her major.
“I chose microbiology because of the projects I was involved in and that helped me figure out the kinds of research questions I was interested in. I knew that I loved biology going into undergrad, but I didn’t know what research was or what it looked like until I tried it, and I ended up loving it.”
Aubrey went on to complete an honors thesis in her work. She credits The Promise for allowing her the free time to focus on her studies to complete such a rigorous project, and to fully explore the research community that UMICH had to offer.
Outside of her studies, Aubrey pursued her interest of community health by participating in multiple student organizations such as Facilitate Network and Empower (FNEUM), Global Intercultural Experience for Undergraduates (GIEU), and United Against Inequities in Disease (UAID) which led to opportunities to study abroad in Nicaragua, Spain, Peru, and Zambia.
Aubrey visiting Machu Picchu as part of a study abroad trip to Peru.
“I realized how big the world is. That so many people have similar lives, but so different to mine and trying to understand what that means, and how to best connect with people.”
Aubrey says her most educational experience was her trip to Zambia. There, she participated in a HIV/AIDS Outreach project that consisted of providing information about the science of HIV/AIDS to community leaders to dispel larger community stigma. For Aubrey, she realized that an initiative such as this could make differences in lives.
“It was powerful to talk about science to people that don’t have a background in it. Education on topics like this can have a huge impact on communities.”
When it was all said and done, Aubrey would graduate with her degree without having to incur any additional fees for her time spent.
“Graduating from undergrad debt-free was life-changing for me. I would not be here without The Kalamazoo Promise.”
Aubrey graduating from the University of Michigan in 2019.
Following her graduation in 2019, Aubrey took a position as a research assistant at The Rockefeller University in New York City. During her time there, she sought to better understand the genetic drivers of immune cell populations located at the intestinal epithelium, and to identify and characterize dietary antigen-specific T cells in the intestine. Through this work, she has been included in a publication to Science titled, “TCR-Vγδ usage distinguishes protumor from antitumor intestinal γδ T cell subsets”, and the foundations she laid are being included in other papers in progress. All while learning life on her own in a new environment.
“It was nice to be an adult outside of school for the first time in my life. New York is a fun city to live in. The research projects I was involved in were so exciting and my lab was very supportive.”
Having spent her time in New York, Aubrey was able to gain the knowledge and experience necessary to clarify what she wanted for her next step in her career- a MD/PhD.
“My time at Rockefeller helped me realize I couldn’t imagine a future without medicine and research. We need both to best treat our patients and to advance healthcare.”
When applying to a medical school, Aubrey wanted a program that would give her access to opportunities to grow personally and professionally, and that allowed students to engage with the community in meaningful ways. Aubrey decided that Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, was the perfect fit for the experience she wanted.
“I wanted a strong immunology program, but also a program that provides opportunities to learn from a diverse group of physicians, nurses, and patients. I also wanted a program that would allow me to engage with the community, and to address health discrepancies actively. Atlanta is a great place for that.”
Aubrey has now completed her first year at Emory, pursuing her doctorate in the university’s MD/PhD program.
Aubrey pictured with her Anatomy team at Emory University.
“Medical school is tough, but I am so thankful to have survived the first year and to be working toward something I am passionate about. The other day I assisted on a transplant surgery, and I got to hold a human kidney, which was probably the coolest experience of my life. I am truly living my dreams.”
Complementary to her time in undergrad, Aubrey continues to be involved in organizations both at Emory and in the community. A few examples are that she volunteers at Georgia Tech with Young Physician Initiative (YPI), helping the next generation of medical students. She is president of The Bashor Clinic, a student-run clinic serving the homeless population. She volunteers with Clarkston Clinic, a clinic that serves the large refugee population in Atlanta.
For the next generation of Promise Scholars pursuing their path, Aubrey has the following advice:
“What I always love to tell people is try new things. It’s important to give yourself grace and try things, even if you end up not liking them. I changed my major six times, but The Promise allowed me to do that, and now I am living a dream I otherwise wouldn’t have known I had.”