- link Copy URL - [ Share on X ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Amgen Scholars Alumni Wants to Mentor Underrepresented Undergrads Interested in STEM https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/139136?absolute=1&via=3blnews "Share on X") - [ Share on linkedin ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/139136?absolute=1 "Share on Linkedin") - [ Share on facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/139136?absolute=1 "Share on Facebook") - [ email Share via email ](mailto:?subject=Amgen Scholars Alumni Wants to Mentor Underrepresented Undergrads Interested in STEM&body=ESG News from Amgen Foundation https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/139136?absolute=1 "Share via email") [Education & Workforce Development](/categories/education-workforce-development) # Amgen Scholars Alumni Wants to Mentor Underrepresented Undergrads Interested in STEM ##### "Ultimately, I aspire to become a principal investigator (PI) with my own lab crewed by brilliantly blossoming scientists. As of now, I am fascinated by neuroimmunology and the role of neuroinflammation in neurodegenerative diseases." Dec 12, 2017 9:35 AM ET Campaign: [Amgen Scholars Program ](/news/campaign/amgen-scholars-program) ![](https://3blcdn.com/styles/carousel_2x/s3/2026-08/Cassandra_1786883274.png) **Cassandra Baker** Host University: Washington University in St. Louis Home University: University of Houston Amgen Scholar Year: 2017 Major: Psychology Expected Graduation: December 2018 **Journey to Science** **How did you become interested in science?** I spent 3 years taking care of my grandparents who both had very debilitating diseases. Through that, I worked very closely with their doctors to enhance their quality of life. The experience opened up this world of science, this beautiful methodology that I hadn’t ever connected with intimately before. And I found it to be this really beautiful approach to understanding the universe and why things happen the way that they do. **Academic and Professional Ambitions** **What’s the larger significance of your Amgen Scholars research? What’s your ultimate career goal?** In the lab of Dr. Robyn Klein, we are investigating the causality of sexual dimorphism in the progression and disease susceptibility of the autoimmune disorder multiple sclerosis. Molecular biology in the area of brain and behavior is what excites me and produces intriguing and beautiful answers. Ultimately, I aspire to become a principal investigator (PI) with my own lab crewed by brilliantly blossoming scientists. As of now, I am fascinated by neuroimmunology and the role of neuroinflammation in neurodegenerative diseases. I anticipate my lab, once I successfully become a PI, will focus on these areas of interest. Additionally, I aspire to become a professor and mentor to underrepresented undergraduates and high school students interested in STEM fields. **Why did you apply to the Amgen Scholars Program?** I actually, initially, became interested in applying to the Amgen Scholars Program in order to soothe my frustration from being rejected for the Barry Goldwater Scholarship. While investigating the program and deciding which schools I would apply to, I became incredibly excited for the opportunity to complete a formal internship in some of the most sophisticated and prestigious labs in the country. My goal in applying was to throw myself into an area of research that I do not have access at in my home institution whilst creating lasting connections with future colleagues and friends. **What aspects of the program did you enjoy most?** The experience has been incredibly eye-opening – the pace through which the Program pulls you through various scenarios is enlivening and exciting. You get access to brilliant people at every step. I have grown tremendously this summer and am very grateful for the experience. *To learn more about the Amgen Scholars Program, please visit **[AmgenScholars.com](http://amgenscholars.com/)** and check out the #AmgenScholars hashtag on Twitter. Follow **[@AmgenFoundation](https://twitter.com/AmgenFoundation)** to stay up to date with all STEM-related news from the Amgen Foundation.* [![](/sites/default/files/Clients/1000px-Amgen.svg__0.png)](/profiles/amgen-foundation) ### More from Amgen Foundation ###### [Free “LabXchange” Science Education Accelerator Launched by Amgen Foundation and Harvard’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences](/news/free-labxchange-science-education-accelerator-launched-amgen-foundation-and-harvards-faculty) Jan 28, 2020 1:25 PM ET ###### [Get a Behind-the-Scenes Look at How and Why LabXchange Was Created](/news/get-behind-scenes-look-how-and-why-labxchange-was-created) Jan 23, 2020 12:00 PM ET ###### [Amgen Foundation’s Science Education Programs Have Reached Over 7,000,000 Students With Hands-on & Virtual Experiences in Science](/news/amgen-foundations-science-education-programs-have-reached-over-7000000-students-hands-virtual) Jan 15, 2020 9:45 AM ET ###### [An Amgen Scholar Travels to New Opportunities](/news/amgen-scholar-travels-new-opportunities) Jan 9, 2020 9:35 AM ET ###### [Check Out These Personal Accounts from the 2019 Amgen Scholars Program](/news/check-out-these-personal-accounts-2019-amgen-scholars-program) Dec 23, 2019 10:35 AM ET ###### [Tsinghua University Amgen Scholars Program 2019](/news/tsinghua-university-amgen-scholars-program-2019) Dec 18, 2019 8:45 AM ET ###### [Amgen Lands on the JUST 100 List of America’s Top Corporate Citizens](/news/amgen-lands-just-100-list-americas-top-corporate-citizens) Nov 25, 2019 9:35 AM ET ###### [Beyond the Bench: An Amgen Scholar Travels to New Opportunities](/news/beyond-bench-amgen-scholar-travels-new-opportunities) Jun 19, 2019 10:55 AM ET