The Sway | April 2025

Bison Trailblazers | Carrissa Anderson

by Anna De Cheke Qualls | Perhaps it was the ziggurats at the University of East Anglia that got alum Carrissa Anderson thinking about a PhD abroad. Or the city of Norwich's charm and serenity. Whatever the experiences during her year abroad, it planted a seed for living and working overseas.

Now a doctoral student at the United Kingdom's University of Leeds, Anderson relishes in her research and the global perspective that her location offers. Continuing from her Master's thesis at Howard, she is focused on the U.S. intelligence community during the 1950's. Through a secret spy program called Operation STAGE (located in Alaska), men were trained to gather intelligence in the event of a Soviet invasion of the Territory.

Word to the Wise | Heather Noriega

by India Crowe | In recent years, artificial intelligence has become its own buzzword even sparking some speculation and debate. Will artificial intelligence (AI) replace humans in the workforce? What are the ethical implications of AI usage? What is artificial intelligence’s role in everyday life? While questions about AI continue to surface, researchers like Heather Noriega are already finding ways to utilize artificial intelligence for the good of humanity.

A PhD candidate of the Howard University College of Pharmacology, Noriega recently made significant progress on AI’s impact on drug discovery and development. Her work was featured in both Trade Magazine and the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists Magazine. She hopes her work contributes to equitable drug discovery and ultimately designs efficient and cost-effective treatments for underserved communities.

Bison Trailblazers | Christian O. Díaz Cáez

by Anna De Cheke Qualls | Aguas Buenas is a small city of about 24,000 in Puerto Rico’s Central Mountain Range. Its name “good waters” comes from the rivers and natural springs that run through the area. The city, built on coffee plantations and production, has its own patron saint, festival, flag and amateur baseball team. The regional anthem speaks of people with Raíces firmes que en el pecho laten (“firm roots that beat in the chest”).

Howard doctoral alum Christian O. Díaz Cáez is un hombre con raíces firmes -- an unwavering spirit that rises and rises. Now a radar imagery scientist with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), Díaz Cáez’s passion for science, research and outreach took shape here from an early age, thanks to his family and mentors along the way.

Word to the Wise | Dr. Dwayne Dixon

By India Crowe | Each day, there was a new problem to be solved, and each car ride was nothing short of a lesson, whether moral or mathematical. Dr. Dewayne Dixon’s trips with his grandmother became a vehicle for learning, and connecting numbers to real-life problems. Each discussion was both challenging and inspirational. From a little boy solving mathematical operations in the backseat to a professor demonstrating solutions in his own classroom at Hampton University, Dixon aims to model that same joy of learning to all.

This past spring break, I had the transformative opportunity to travel to Ghana as part of a Howard University History and Culture Tour. Over ten days, I journeyed alongside fellow scholars to explore the historical, spiritual, and cultural landscapes of Accra, Kumasi, and Cape Coast. While the trip offered many unforgettable moments—walking through the bustling art markets, engaging with artisans in the craft villages of Bonwire and Ntonso, and reflecting on the legacies of Pan-African leaders—it was more than a visit. For me, it was a return. A return to ancestral memory, to Pan-African heritage, and to the archival impulses that guide my academic and professional work. Read more...

Greetings from alma mater, If you are like me, you are anxiously awaiting the coming of spring after a long, trying winter. I am looking for sun, for light at every turn. Working with our students is one of the things that has continued to bring me joy in these uncertain times. As we embrace the season of renewal and growth, I am excited to share with you my excitement about the 4th Annual Doctoral Careers Pathway Conference. This milestone year marks a moment of reflection and hope for what lies ahead, even amid the ambiguity of the moment. With over 500 registrants from 72 institutions, this year’s conference promises to be a vibrant space for new beginnings. Read more...

Dr. Alaina Davis (Associate Professor and Chair,
Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders) is the second author in a recently-released chapter of Cultural sensitivity and responsiveness in neurorehabilitation: A personalized approach for speech-language pathologists. (Plural Publishing) Co-author, Jennifer Myers is an alumna of the COSD Master's program.

Dr. Valencia Perry (Associate Professor) was appointed to the DC Disabilities Council by Mayor Muriel Bowser.

Read more...

DR. NATHALIE FRÉDÉRIC PIERRE RECEIVED THE MELLON FOUNDATIONS' NEW DIRECTIONS FELLOWSHIP

The year 1804 ushered in a revolution beyond territory and class. The triumph of the Haitian Revolution galvanized ideas of sovereignty and liberation across the Atlantic world, inciting a revolution of ideology, politics, and consequently, law. Before this revolution fully materialized, the independent Haitian state was exploited and extorted. Assistant Professor of History Dr. Nathalie Frédéric Pierre intends to explore Black governance during the 19th-century in contrast to modern-day legislation as a recipient of the Mellon Foundation New Directions Fellowship for her forthcoming book, The Vessel of Independence Must Save Itself: Haitian State Formation, 1757 - 1815. Read more...

The Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics (CCBB) is a state-of-the-art center equipped with the necessary computer hardware, software, and personnel for the support of computational biology and bioinformatics research at Howard University. The mission of the Howard University Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics (CCBB) is to encourage and promote the application of computational approaches to the study of biomedical and disease processes. Read more...

How to Establish Your Digital Identity as a Scholar/Professional

April 30, 2025 | 12:00 - 1:00 PM | Zoom

(For registration follow the links to the Join Us page.)

The Sway is Howard University Graduate School's news publication. It serves to celebrate and highlight graduate student, alumni, faculty and staff achievements and updates. It is published regularly during the academic year.

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