- link Copy Url - [ Share on twitter ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Meet Amgen Scholar Alumni Imaani Easthausen https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/52452?absolute=1&via=3blnews "link to 3 B L Media's Twitter") - [ Share on linkedin ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/52452?absolute=1 "link to 3 B L Media's Linkedin") - [ Share on facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/52452?absolute=1 "link to 3 B L Media's Facebook") - [ email Share via email ](mailto:?subject=Meet Amgen Scholar Alumni Imaani Easthausen &body=ESG News from Amgen Foundation https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/52452?absolute=1 "Share via email") [Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives](/CSR-News/philanthropy-cause-initiatives) # Meet Amgen Scholar Alumni Imaani Easthausen Nov 14, 2014 1:30 PM ET Campaign: [Amgen Scholars Program ](/news/campaign/amgen-scholars-program) ![](https://3blaws.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/carousel_2x/s3/images/Imaani_Easthausen.jpg) # Imaani Easthausen *Annandale-on-Hudson, NY* “It’s really cool to be in an environment to conduct research with other undergrads. I can be involved in the core of what’s going on in the decision-making process.” - Host University: University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) - Home University: Bard College - Amgen Scholar Year: 2014 - Major: Biology - Expected Graduation: 2015 ### **Journey to Science** Like many young scientists, [Imaani Easthausen](http://amgenscholars.com/alumni/alumn/imaani-easthausen1) grew up curious about everything. She never ran out of questions, and always dug deeper in search of answers. She’d be the first to admit, the more she learned, the more confused she became, realizing that new answers just brought on a new set of questions. But one thing was clear to Imaani, a gay woman of color: Society often turned its back on her and her gay single mother. All the racist and sexist remarks only fueled this future scientist to push harder and farther. In addition to obtaining an M.D.-Ph.D. in molecular biology, to research and create life-saving medicines, Imaani wants to make sure the right questions are being asked in the lab and for the right reasons. She wants to ask questions that get at what’s best for the greater good. ### **Academic and Professional Ambitions** *Why did you apply to the Amgen Scholars Program?* “Coming from a small liberal arts school, I knew becoming an Amgen Scholar would provide me with the hands-on research experience I couldn’t get back home. This experience offered me the chance to understand what it means to be a scientist on a daily basis.” *What did you work on in the lab?* “My research was all about figuring out how organ tissues know how to stop growing, specifically in relation to cancerous tumor growth. Over the summer, I had the chance to run a drug screening in order to identify compounds that are effective in reducing tumors associated with the Hippo signaling pathway (HSP). Since the HSP is involved in regulating tissue growth, if there’s a problem with it, then tissues will grow uncontrollably.” *What’s the larger significance of your Amgen Scholars research? What’s your ultimate career goal?* “I think a lot of questions being asked in the lab are removed from today’s most urgent social issues. I want researchers to think critically about the questions they’re asking: Where are these questions coming from? I’d rather have scientists look at how social issues such as racism and socioeconomic disparity are implicated in disease, instead of purely at funding. For this to happen, society will need to step up and identify research questions that are integrated with issues of social justice.” *What’s been the most rewarding part of your experience?* “The best part of this lab has really been the mentorship. I’m in a much smaller lab, so I have had the chance to gain more hands-on experience with big projects. It’s really cool to be in an environment to conduct research with other undergrads. I can be involved in the core of what’s going on in the decision-making process.” \------------------------------------------------ To learn more about the Amgen Scholars Program, please visit our [website](http://www.amgenscholars.com/) and check out the [\#AmgenScholars](https://twitter.com/search?q=%23amgenscholars&src=typd) hashtag on Twitter. Visit AmgenInspires.com and 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