Rachel Makinde
Biology and Society
Union, N.J.
What is your main extracurricular activity and why is it important to you?
One of the most meaningful extracurricular experiences has been co-founding Med-In-Black, serving as vice president and engaging in community-based health initiatives. Through this work, I've been deeply committed to helping students who look like me find their place in medicine and other healthcare professions. That has meant not only creating supportive spaces, but also actively connecting peers to opportunities, whether that's research, mentorship, clinical exposure or guidance on navigating Cornell's campus.
This work is especially important to me because I understand how difficult it can be to pursue medicine without access to resources, representation or support. I wanted to help change that reality for others by creating avenues for others to see themselves in these spaces. More specifically, I've worked to help students access summer internship opportunities and helped organize our annual "Future Healers" trip to medical schools, where students can speak directly with admissions representatives and current medical students. Providing that kind of exposure is powerful because it helps the path to medicine feel more attainable. Through both campus initiatives and community outreach, I've learned that medicine is not just about treating illness; it's about opening doors, building confidence and creating pathways for others to succeed.
What Cornell memory do you treasure the most?
A Cornell memory I treasure most is being selected for a unique, interdisciplinary program during my freshman year that combined science, writing and art, and included a visit to the place where modern evolutionary biology began, the Galápagos Islands. Through this experience, I learned to observe the natural world more intentionally, through reflective poems, essays and detailed scientific sketches.
Being in the Galápagos was unforgettable. I encountered wildlife I had only seen in textbooks and was fully immersed in both the ecosystem and Ecuador's culture. More than anything, the experience taught me how to slow down, pay attention, and appreciate the connections between science, environment and human experience. It was a moment that captured what makes Cornell so special, learning that goes far beyond the classroom and transforms how you see the world.
What have you accomplished as a Cornell student that you are most proud of?
I am proud of my honors thesis research exploring the intersection of food insecurity and sickle cell disease among young adults. Sickle cell disease is a condition that I've been deeply interested in since I arrived at Cornell, and this project allowed me to study it purposefully and uniquely. Through this work, I've developed interview and scoping review protocols. I also engaged with questions about how systemic inequalities shape health outcomes.
This research was especially meaningful to me because it allowed me to center communities that are overlooked in healthcare and research. It also challenged me to think beyond biological mechanisms and consider the broader systems that affect health.
Being a part of this research has improved my analytical and critical thinking skills. It has created a greater sense of independence and confidence in my work. More importantly, it has strengthened my desire to pursue medicine with a focus on equity and a better understanding of patients' lived experiences.
Who or what influenced your Cornell education the most?
The people I've encountered at Cornell have had the greatest influence on my education, especially my research advisor, Dr. Angela Odoms-Young. She gave me my first research opportunity at Cornell and, more importantly, believed in me from the beginning. Through her mentorship, I was able to explore research in niche areas I am deeply passionate about, particularly at the intersection of sickle cell, nutrition, health equity and community-based work.
Her guidance not only helped me grow as a researcher, but shaped how I think about the purpose of my work. She showed me what it looks like to conduct research that is meticulous and community-centered. This experience has had a lasting impact on how I continue to approach my education and future career.
If you were to offer advice to an incoming first-year student, what would you say?
Take advantage of every opportunity, even the ones that feel outside of your comfort zone. Advocate for yourself. Don't be afraid to ask questions, seek mentorship and explore different paths. Cornell can be overwhelming at times, but growth often comes from leaning into uncertainty. Most importantly, define success on your own terms, not by comparison; it should be dependent on your values and goals.
Every year, our faculty nominate graduating Arts & Sciences students to be featured as part of our Extraordinary Journeys series. Read more about the Class of 2026.
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