PhD Candidate
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Shana Littleton is a 4th year PhD candidate in Clinical Pharmacy and Translational Sciences at the University of Michicgan - Ann Arbor. She received her bachelor’s degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology from the University of Illinois Champaign Urbana in 2019. Following, Shana completed the Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP) at Louisiana State University at New Orleans (LSU-NO) in the department of Pharmacology. Under her mentor Martin Ronis Ph.D., she worked on an independent project studying the role of mitochondrial catalase enzymes in alcohol induced osteoporosis. At the University of Michigan, Shana trains under Jasmine Luzum PharmD, Ph.D. studying differences in clinical outcomes of heart failure patients. Her research focuses on understanding racial health disparities in heart failure patients using genomic and social determinant of health data to investigate differences in hospitalization benefit. Shana was recently awarded an NIH F31 Ruth L. Kirschstein Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award. In addition to the CPTS Ph.D. program, Shana is an active member of the graduate community as President of Students of Color of Rackham (SCOR) and member of the Edward Alexander Bouchet Honor Society.
Shana’s long term career goal is to advance personalized care for patients through the use of genetic screening and social determinants of health, particularly in marginalized communities. By integrating genetic and health disparities research, we are able to get a more holistic view of patients to better serve their treatment and healthcare needs. She hopes to continue her work in health disparities research to help implement more equitable clinical practices and solutions.