A graduate of the University of Illinois discusses the impact of science | Main stories

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND) — U of I graduate Briana Banks spoke to students at the Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center on Wednesday.

Banks is currently a fourth-year candidate studying cancer biology at the University of Chicago. The main goal of Wednesday’s presentation was to make science more accessible to students in the African American community.

“I often feel like science is out of reach or out of reach, especially in black communities, but it’s just to show that it’s all around us and that it can be broken down in a way that’s easy to understand and easy to digest for everyone. ” Banks said.

Science often has terms that people don’t understand. Banks uses apps like Tiktok and Instagram to create videos that explain scientific terminology.

“I think my content is a little bit different because I’m trying to add memes. I try to add funny clips or videos to make it entertaining and educational,” Banks explained.

Through his work, Banks wants to inspire the next generation of students. She believes that nurturing an interest in science can lead to great success.

“It might not seem like a space that we’re invited or welcomed into, so I think I want to inspire this younger generation or the students that came in today to show them that this is a space for us and that we can make our way here and feel comfortable in a STEM field,” Banks stated.

Banks graduated from the University of Illinois in 2018 with a degree in integrative biology and chemistry.