Name Anna Epps | ||
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Anna Cherrie Epps (born 1930) is an American microbiologist known for her immunology research as well as her attempts to promote the advancement of minorities within the sciences.
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Early life and education
In 1930, Epps was born in New Orleans to Ernest Cherrie Sr., a physician, and Anna Cherrie, a former schoolteacher. She attended Corpus Christi Elementary School and Xavier University Preparatory High School, both Catholic schools in New Orleans. Epps started studying at Howard University when she was 16. In 1951, at age 19, she graduated with a bachelor of science degree in zoology. Following her goal to become a physician, she applied to medical school at Howard University as well as Meharry Medical College. Epps was denied admission to both, however, attributed to her young age and gender. From 1954 to 1960, she worked as an instructor and the acting head of the medical technology department at Xavier University. In 1959, Epps earned her master's degree from Loyola University in microbiology.
Career and research
Epps began work at Howard University College of Medicine as an assistant professor of microbiology in 1961. At the same time, she began doctoral work on immunological responses in chick embryos to grafts. She was awarded a PhD in 1966. Her research at Howard focused on immunology, specifically the study of tropical and infectious diseases. In 1969, Epps left Howard University and began work as an assistant professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, where she was awarded a U.S. Public Health Service Faculty Research Fellowship, and studied immunology related to liver disease, stomach cancer, and alpha-1-fetoprotein.
After being awarded a second research fellowship in 1969 at Tulane University, she became an assistant professor of medicine in 1971. During this time, she extended the work she had done at Howard to develop MEdREP, the Medical Education Reinforcement and Enrichment Program. It is a summer program intended to provide minority students interested in a career in the medical field with opportunities to learn about a career in medicine and become more competitive candidates for medical school. In 1975, she became the Director of Medicine at the Tulane Medical Center. Epps was promoted to the assistant dean of student services in 1980. As of 1999, she was the interim vice-president for academic affairs at Tulane as well as the dean of the School of Medicine at Meharry Medical College. In 2013, at the age of 83, Epps became the dean and CEO of the medical school, possibly the first African-American woman with a PhD to lead a medical school.
Personal life
Epps is married to Joseph M. Epps MD.