Lane College’s Ebony Renee Lee MAKES HISTORY AS MARION B. SEWER DISTINGUISHED SCHOLAR BY BY HBCU TIMES STAFF WRITER
Ebony Renee Lee is making history while building a path toward a career dedicated to science, health care and service.
A first-generation college student, cancer researcher, published author, and community leader, Lee is a rising senior pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry on the pre-pharmacy track at Lane College, a historically Black college in Jackson, Tennessee. Originally from the small rural community of Caruthersville, Missouri, she has built an undergraduate journey centered on scientific discovery, health equity, leadership, and service. Lee was recently selected as a 2026 Marion B. Sewer Distinguished Scholar through the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB), becoming the first student from a Historically Black College or University selected to receive the prestigious award. She also made history as the first student to receive the distinction twice, becoming the scholarship program’s inaugural two- time scholar.
Her selection came after an unexpected turn. Lee initially received a denial email on July 7, but on July 31, following a change among the year’s recipients, she was notified that she had officially been awarded the scholarship. The Marion B. Sewer Distinguished Scholarship supports only 10 undergraduate students annually who demonstrate an interest in biochemistry and molecular biology while contributing to greater diversity in science. ASBMB is a global scientific society representing approximately 11,000 molecular life scientists, including students, researchers, educators, and senior scientists.
Throughout her undergraduate career, Lee has conducted biomedical research at Rhodes College, Meharry Medical College, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Most recently, she conducted research in St. Jude’s Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, where she helped investigate potential cancer signaling pathways in Acute Myeloid Leukemia, contributing to broader efforts to better understand this aggressive blood cancer. Lee’s commitment to improving health outcomes extends beyond the laboratory. She is the founder of The Cure Collective, a developing health care ecosystem dedicated to expanding preventive health education, increasing access to community health resources,
5 2 | HBCU TIMES FALL ISSUE 2026
Powered by FlippingBook