Driven by purpose

An invitation in the mail changed summer plans — and ultimately, college plans — for Markelle Scott.  

It was spring 2023 when the now-junior biomedical sciences major from Birmingham received a brochure about the upcoming STEM Summer Bridge Program hosted by Auburn University’s College of Sciences and Mathematics (COSAM). Though he was already set to attend college in his hometown that fall, the idea of preparing for the rigors of university-level science and math courses appealed to him.  

After all, he had chosen a science-based major and expected a strenuous courseload.  

Since saying yes to that initial four-week program at Auburn, Scott has continued to flourish in his Auburn experience — building relationships through extracurricular groups, conducting research with faculty mentors and making the most of every opportunity.  

“I came to Auburn for the four weeks of Summer Bridge, and I’ve never looked back,” Scott said. “It’s been a rewarding experience so far, and I think it was a leap of faith that’s paying off. Every time I talk to people about Auburn, I always say that coming here was the best decision I have made.” 

 

Building blocks of discovery

Before his path led him to the Plains, Scott was already interested in pursuing science and research. When Scott was 6 years old, his grandfather, William Whitlow, was diagnosed with colon cancer and later passed away during Scott’s junior year at Huffman High School.   

“He was sick for most of my life, and his illness shaped my focus on studying science to be able to help people and find cures for life-threatening illnesses,” he said. 

Through Birmingham Promise, Scott completed a semester-long internship in a surgical oncology lab at the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Once he got to Auburn, he knew he wanted to continue gaining experience in research.  

During his freshman year, he began working in the lab of David Riese, professor in the Department of Drug Discovery and Development at Auburn’s Harrison College of Pharmacy, studying metastatic melanoma — work that Scott hopes to continue throughout his time at Auburn.   

“It’s hard to describe how important the mentoring relationship I have with Dr. Riese is,” Scott said. “He’s an awesome teacher and has been supportive of my interests, answering my questions and discussing opportunities that can help me continue to grow and succeed.”  

In the summer of 2025, Scott joined the University of Colorado’s Cancer Research for Undergraduates program, where he studied thyroid cancer in the lab of Rebecca Schweppe, professor of medicine-endocrinology/diabetes in the University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine.  

“My task was to figure out why these thyroid cancers become resistant to treatment and how we might target that resistance so patients can continue responding to therapy,” Scott said. 

The 10-week program gave him the chance to lead his own project with guidance from his mentor.  

“One aspect that was really interesting was being able to build my confidence and help more in the lab with the techniques we were doing,” he said.  

Many of the techniques he practiced in Colorado are ones that will be used in Riese’s lab as well.   

“This practice gives me confidence to help my peers with these techniques and also helps me feel as if I’m getting adequately prepared for graduate school,” Scott said. “I want to be able to have a great grasp of techniques when I get into a graduate research lab so that I can begin my work more quickly and help others, rather than re-learning skills.”  

Connections and leadership

Establishing a mentor relationship with Riese is just one of many key connections Scott has made at Auburn.  

One of the first was with Kimberly Mulligan, COSAM’s senior assistant dean of strategic initiatives, whom he met during the Summer Bridge program. Through her recommendation, Scott became a Melton Scholar. This program helps students engage in the full Auburn experience, providing scholarship support, professional development and mentorship.

“One of the best parts of Auburn for me has been the relationships I’ve been able to develop with faculty and my peers. I’ve had the opportunity to meet some really fantastic people who strive to help others — including me — succeed in whatever it is that we set our minds to,” Scott said. 

Beyond having his own mentors, Scott has stepped into leadership roles in campus organizations to help classmates figure out how their career paths might take shape. This year, he’s served as vice president of the COSAM Ambassadors Program and director of events for the Pre-Medical Association.  

His time at Auburn has also been supported by endowed scholarships established by generous alumni and donors. Scott is the recipient of the Michael B. and Patricia W. Williams Endowed Scholarship, the Gary Lee Endowed Scholarship, the Dudley Scholarship for First-Year Students, and an Auburn University Board of Trustees Scholarship. He’s also been awarded support from the National Cancer Institute that will help him pursue his degree and research experiences. 

Generous support of the Auburn Family through scholarships, practical experience, and hands-on guidance and mentoring has brought Scott to where he is today. These investments have left an indelible mark on his unique Auburn experience and will impact his future.  

Planning for the future

Now halfway through his junior year, Scott is looking toward building his career. He plans to earn a Ph.D. to continue his passion for research, and he’s already scouting another summer research experience for this year. 

Scott’s story is a testament to the power of opportunity, mentorship and resilience. From a high school lab in Birmingham to cutting-edge cancer research at Auburn, he’s planting seeds of innovation and compassion that will grow far beyond the Plains. 

“Auburn has given me the chance to impact the world,” Scott says. “And I’m just getting started.”