An Aspiring Physician Scientist, Tyrell Russell has worked tirelessly to become an exceptional individual both within his school and throughout his community. Early on, Tyrell noticed that science stood out as a subject that was particularly demanding. However, rather than shying away from the matter, he began to focus more on the sciences which would develop into a keen interest and ultimately a career goal. Building on his determination, since the seventh grade, Tyrell has been a member of the Physician Scientist Training Program, a biomedical pipeline that exposes hopeful physicians and research scientists to the field at an early age through a series of internships and courses. Through his position with PSTP, Tyrell has performed novel research in the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Pennsylvania and in the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland.
Tyrell’s daring attitude has been exemplified in several other areas such as his coursework and extracurricular activities. As an excelling International Baccalaureate student, Tyrell has received such accolades as National Achievement Scholar, Urban League Achiever of the Year, AP Scholar with Distinction, and internship recognition from the National Institutes of Health for five consecutive years. While maintaining a 4.95 cumulative GPA, Tyrell has involved himself in several organizations that have helped to mold him as a leader and have accented his passion for helping others. They include the Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary Mentoring Club, National Honor Society, Black Student Union, of which he serves as Vice-President, National Achievers Society, of which he served as President, and the Chargersonic marching band among others. Through his work, Tyrell has developed a passion for community service, specifically HIV/AIDS initiatives. In observing the devastating effects of the pandemic, Tyrell made it his mission to make his peers and surrounding members of the community aware of preventative and treatment measures. He currently works as a youth advisor for the Order My Steps/AIDS ministry at his church and has recently launched a “Man Up”, safe-sex, campaign under his school’s Black Student Union. Building on the philosophy of “Breaking the Code of Silence,” he stresses the importance of communication among sexually active individuals.
Tyrell plans to major in Chemistry at Southern Methodist University. As a community-driven leader, he will work to help motivate others while continuing to make strides academically, socially and professionally.
