MACON, Ga. — Mercer University 2025 graduate Esther Adewumi was recently accepted into the highly competitive Duke Cancer Institute’s DIRECT Fellowship program, a 12-month applied cancer training program for recent university graduates who have an interest in entering the cancer research workforce.
Only three fellows are chosen for each cohort. Among the criteria to be eligible for the fellowship, applicants must show “superior academic achievement — e.g., strong GPA, honors or other academic designations.”
Adewumi, from Conyers, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry and molecular biology and a minor in Spanish. While at Mercer, she was a Stamps Scholar, member of Phi Beta Kappa, in the University Honors program and graduated Magna Cum Laude.
“Mercer has allowed me the opportunity to explore my curiosities. Discovering my niche within biochemistry has been a journey that has led me to the DIRECT Fellowship,” said Adewumi. “It truly is thanks to God that I have this opportunity.”
At the Duke Cancer Institute, Adewumi will be a fellow in the cancer control and population sciences department, working under the mentorship of Dr. Tomi Akinyemiju, who studies cancer epidemiology, global health, health disparities and cancer biology.
After the fellowship, Adewumi plans to pursue a Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. graduate program.
