Highlighting spotlight: Bryan Redmond

Highlighting spotlight: Bryan Redmond - student in focus

Rising Star in Neuroscience: Bryan Redmond Alleviating Systemic Issues in Science

Bryan Redmond, a second year student in the Neuroscience Graduate Program at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, is making strides in his field with a mission to address systemic issues faced by people of color in science and improve the experience for those who follow in his footsteps.

In November 2021, Redmond was selected as a Diverse Medical Scholars Program Fellow by the United Health Foundation/National Medical Fellowships organization. This honour includes a $7,000 grant that will support a medical education program developed by Redmond in partnership with University Preparatory Charter School for Young Men (UPREP) in Rochester, N.Y.

Redmond's research interest lies in the visual deficits experienced following optical lobe stroke. Currently, he is working in the lab of Krystel Huxlin, Ph.D., investigating whether neurons in undamaged areas of the visual circuit can be stimulated to restore vision following stroke. Unfortunately, there are no gold standard therapies for helping patients recover their vision after an optical lobe stroke, according to Redmond.

The medical education program developed by Redmond is using the students' affinity for sports as a scaffold for interest in careers in health care and options in higher education. The topics discussed in the program include careers in medicine, nutrition, and preventable diseases. Malik Sams, M.D., Lynette Froula, M.D., and Walter Larkin, Jr., CEO of UPREP, are mentors for this program.

Redmond is also a fourth year student in the Medical Scientist Training Program at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. He graduated from Xavier University of Louisiana with a B.S. in psychology.

In addition to his research and educational pursuits, Redmond is one of the original members of the Neuroscience Diversity Commission. He is compelled to use his academic experience to help create a pipeline for future scientists of color and believes that educating people early in the classroom can help tackle issues observed in the community and lead to better citizens and more fulfilling lives.

Redmond hopes to develop a way to help patients recover their vision following an optical lobe stroke. His ultimate goal is to alleviate systemic issues persons of color face in science and to improve the experience of those who come after him.