Shun'nya Taylor
Shun'nya Taylor
"The research experience helped me understand how much goes on behind the scenes that you don't get to experience when you see people working on the front lines of healthcare."Shun'nya Taylor, Xavier University of Louisiana Student
Meet Shun'nya!
Shun'nya Taylor is an alumna of Allen Village High School who participated in PREP-KC's HealthStart Career Academy throughout high school. She's majoring in biology with a chemistry minor in Xavier University of Louisiana's premed program.
Shun'nya told us that the internships she completed through HealthStart helped prepare her for the rigors of college coursework. "[My internships taught me that] I would rather be more hands-on, but the research experience helped me understand how much goes on behind the scenes that you don't get to experience when you see people working on the front lines of healthcare."
The Result? Shun'nya, a first-generation college student, earned enough scholarships and awards to pay for her tuition, academic fees, books, and course supplies at Xavier.
Shun'nya Taylor presenting her research at a scientific conference.
Igniting Potential
In 2021, Shun'nya contributed to research on Huntington's Disease as part of the HealthStart summer internship at the School of Pharmacy, University of Missouri-Kansas City. The subsequent summer, she interned at Kansas University Medical Center (KUMC) in collaboration with PREP-KC and KUMC's Cancer Center.
"My internship at the KU Med's Cancer Center was very eye-opening," Shun'nya shared. "Based on my work in the lab, I got to present at the American Society for Gravitational and Space Research Conference in Houston."
Shun'nya Taylor's research poster on Galactic Cosmic Radiation and Mouse Adrenal Gland research.
Creating Opportunities
Presenting at these regional and national poster sessions helped Shun'nya sharpen her presentation and networking skills. These experiences not only enhanced her scientific knowledge but also built her confidence as a future healthcare professional.
Through PREP-KC's HealthStart Career Academy, Shun'nya acquired valuable Market Value Assets that propelled her toward college and a healthcare career, including completed summer internships, medical assistant certification, and college credits earned through dual enrollment coursework.
Inspired by Shun'nya's Story?
Discover how PREP-KC programs can transform your future, just like they did for Shun'nya.