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By Brianna Goodall

When Lauren Moses graduates with a degree in biomedical sciences this May, her journey at �������� will just be starting.

After completing her degree in only three years, she has been accepted to Eastern Virginia Medical School at �������� through the EVMS Medical School Early Assurance Program.

She was inspired to pursue a career in medicine after seeing her father struggle with health issues due to a workplace accident.

Originally from the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Moses grew up in a small town called Pocomoke City. She excelled in academics as well as sports like soccer, basketball and softball.

However, when she was in middle school, her father was in a workplace accident that altered his quality of life.

“He had chronic pain all throughout my middle school and high school years and he had a lot of trouble being seen by doctors,” Moses said.

Her father suffered a double concussion, broken vertebrae in his neck and inner ear damage which “completely disrupted his ability to even stay balanced,” she said. Seeing the trouble her father experienced made her want to become a doctor.   

“My dad got put on medications that did not work well together, and he ended up with kidney failure,” Moses said. She saw first-hand how his physical and mental health declined over the next seven years.

“When people are in chronic pain, they obviously change as a person, so just seeing that change made me just want to go into a profession to prevent people from having to experience that,” she said.

Her father passed away during her junior year of high school and she was determined to find a college that would help her start her journey towards medical school. “My mom, brother, and best friend helped me so much along the way, especially after my dad passed away,” Moses said.

Despite the loss of her father, she finished high school strong and wanted to look for a college that would help her get into medical school. She took dual enrollment courses and some AP classes in high school, allowing her to get a head start on college credits.

Moses learned about �������� from her best friend who was planning to apply to the University and encouraged her to do so as well. After Moses toured campus, she realized just how much she liked it and she started at the University in fall 2022.

She chose biomedical science as her major and chemistry as her minor. “The Biomedical Science major with the pre-health concentration literally covers every single class you need to take for medical school which fit perfectly,” Moses said.

As a Black woman, she wants to bring different perspectives to her field.

“I’m not just following my passion for medicine; I’m also challenging the status quo and ensuring that people who look like me are part of the conversations that shape the future of healthcare,” she added.

She excelled academically so much so that one of her professor’s, Douglas Mills, Ph.D., encouraged her to become a tutor first during her freshman year and then during her sophomore year he suggested that she become a supplemental instructor (SI). Then she took on a tutoring role in the Science Tutoring Centers in the Department of Biological Sciences for four consecutive semesters as well as an SI.

"Lauren is engaged, dedicated, insightful and committed to serving others,” said Mills. “Her multiple positive impacts on the �������� Community include serving as an effective tutor for multiple biology courses. She will begin medical school soon, and her impressive skill set will enable her to thrive as a patient-focused physician."

Moses also sought out research opportunities after taking biochemistry with Associate Professor and Associate Dean Lesley Greene in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. Moses asked Professor Greene about any openings to work with in her lab and she was welcomed to take part.

“I was really interested because the research she is doing is very applicable to medicine,” she said.

Working alongside graduate student Amy Vo, Moses is currently doing research on cyanobacteria and antibiotic resistance genes, and she wants to pursue even more research opportunities in the Greene Lab.

“Doing research has broadened my horizons to seeing the way new technology is being implemented into biology and biochemistry,” she said.  

“Lauren is a brilliant student and exceptionally talented researcher,” Greene said. “Her passion and dedication to science is commendable. It is also very evident that Lauren is an especially kind and compassionate person who is dedicated to helping others both at �������� as a tutor and supplemental instructor and abroad as part of the Global Medical Brigades. I believe she will make a tremendous contribution to medicine as a physician. It is a great privilege to have her as a member of my research group." 

Additionally, Moses has seized on pathways offered to her while at �������� that have set her up for success. She is the treasurer of ��������’s Women’s Club Soccer and is the vice president of ��������’s Club Softball. She is also a member of the Pre-Health club as well as the president of Global Medical Brigades which allowed her to travel to different countries and work in clinics.

“Helping people medically in Panama and Guatemala was honestly one of the most rewarding experiences of my life,” Moses said. “There’s something so special about being able to provide care to people who truly need it and seeing the immediate impact of that help.”

In both countries, during the summers of 2023 and 2024, Moses assisted in the clinic. She handed out hygiene kits, talked with patients and worked alongside medical professionals.

“I’ll never forget the smiles, the warm ‘thank you’s’, and the way families would light up just knowing we were there to help,” she said. “It really put things into perspective and reminded me why I want to go into medicine – not just to treat symptoms, but to make a real difference in people’s lives.”

Coming back to the U.S., she was even more passionate about providing medicine globally. “It reinforced my dream of becoming a traveling pediatrician and reminded me that this is exactly what I’m meant to do.”

Getting into medical school early was Moses’s goal and she did that during her sophomore year. She applied and was accepted into ��������/EVMS’s Bachelor of Science/Medical Degree (BS/MD) program. The process was intensive and competitive, but the burden of not knowing what her next steps would be after graduation were alleviated as along as she put in the work. “I already got accepted, but I still had to do well in school,” Moses said.

“I continue to be impressed by Lauren’s ability to manage everything on her plate with excellence and grace because she leads by example and brings a calm confidence to every space she's in,” said Reneldo Randall, director of advising for the College of Sciences. “It’s no surprise she was accepted into the EVMS Medical School Early Assurance Program – she’s a standout student.”

To graduate in three years at �������� took focus and commitment. “I came into �������� with 30 college credits,” Moses said. “Since then, I’ve taken between 15 and 18 credits every fall and spring semester, along with a winter course and four summer classes!”

As she prepares for graduation and medical school, Moses is invigorated for her next steps and wants to break barriers.

“Representation in medicine and research matters, and pursuing this path means being part of a necessary shift towards inclusivity and equity in healthcare,” Moses said. “Historically, Black voices – especially Black women’s voices – have been overlooked in science and medicine, and that has led to disparities in research, treatment and patient care.”

Her advice to future Monarchs is this: “�������� sets up students for any health avenue you might want to go down. There are so many programs set up for students, from occupational therapy to physical therapy and the BS/MD program and pretty much all you could imagine; it’s the perfect place if you want to go into medicine so use the resources around you.”