PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (February 17, 2023) — Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) senior Kaitlin Latham “couldn’t be more grateful” for the University’s Faculty-Research and Innovation for Scholarly Excellence (Faculty-RISE) Program – and for the mentorship of Dr. Catherine Kisavi-Atatah, an assistant professor in the Department of Health and Kinesiology. In fact, the grant program and Dr. Kisavi-Atatah “have unquestionably had the greatest impact on my college experience,” said Kaitlin, currently in pursuit of her bachelor’s degree in health.
Kaitlin Latham, RISE undergraduate student
As a participant in the RISE initiative, which enables faculty researchers to advance their vital research through external grants and contracts while mentoring undergraduate students, Kaitlin helps conduct research focused on the “Analysis of the Unexplained Reasons for the Deaths Among Black Women and Minorities Women in the State of Texas Shortly After Giving Birth.” In addition to fueling Kaitlin’s interest in minority health and in highlighting the health disparities minority groups face, Dr. Kisavi-Atatah said the study allows Kaitlin to further understand “the importance of research in the policy decision-making processes.”
Throughout the undergraduate student’s PVAMU journey, Dr. Kisavi-Atatah has been a source of encouragement and motivation, impressed by Kaitlin’s “great leadership skills” and willingness to hone her research abilities. The assistant professor first became aware of Kaitlin’s talents when they collaborated on a 2022 research project “Examining the Relationship between BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) Communities and Their Companion Animals.”
Dr. Kisavi-Atatah has “recognized something in me that no instructor had, and her mentoring has aided me in many ways beyond just getting started with research,” said Kaitlin. “She has inspired me, given me strength, given me the freedom to challenge myself and room to grow.”
Kaitlin – a Texas native and daughter of two PVAMU alumni – plans on becoming an elementary school teacher following graduation but will also take time “to figure out what my true passion is and what my forever career will be.”
Until then, she’ll continue lending her valuable skills through collaborative work with Dr. Kisavi-Atatah. As Kaitlin’s RISE mentor explained, “This is just the beginning. We have more research goals to accomplish.”
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By Leigh Badrigian