Student Accomplishments

Conducting Alzheimer's research

DJ Kemp is a Discovery Fellow who helps research how cells in the brains of Alzheimer's patients react with certain proteins and chemicals. Kemp chose MU over Ivy League schools because of the Discovery Fellowship and a full-ride Brazeal Honors College Endowed Diversity Scholarship.

Kemp likes solving problems, so being chosen as a Discovery Fellow is an ideal honor for him. Discovery Fellows are undergraduates who are paired with a professor in their chosen field to conduct research projects.

“I picked a field I found interesting — biology — and decided engineering would be the other component,” Kemp says. “I'll be working with professors who have made really significant progress in curing disease, for instance, or creating things like bone and hip replacements. Wouldn't it be great to be known for something like that?” Besides its medical applications, bioengineering is valuable background for many professions, he says.

There was never any doubt that Kemp would go to college. Duke University included him in their Talent Identification Program as a fifth grader, and his mother, a high school math teacher, placed a high priority on academics. With an ACT score of 32, Kemp attracted the attention of several Ivy League universities.

MU was able to offer him the Brazeal Honors College Endowed Diversity Scholarship, made possible by a gift from James and Catherine Brazeal to attract top-flight students from underrepresented groups. The scholarship provides $12,500 annually to cover the cost of tuition, books and housing; an annual stipend of $2,500 to participate in the Discovery Fellows program; and $6,000 to study abroad during his junior year.

Kemp hasn't had a moment's hesitation that he made the right decision to come to Mizzou. “I'm really happy, and I can't thank the Brazeals enough for what they are doing for me,” he says.