Staff spotlight

Sydney Reaves started working at the School of Nursing in June 2021. After graduating with her master’s degree from the Biomedical Science program in the School of Graduate Studies in the Health Sciences, she became the project manager of the STRIDES – Studying Risk to Improve Disparities in Cervical Cancer research team.

When asked what she loves best about her work, she explained, “I love that the STRIDES research is really translational. I can see the feedback the study is having on informing HPV education, vaccination, screening and improving follow-up to cancer care in our own Mississippi communities."

“I absolutely love that all aspects of our studies are patient-centered and especially geared towards serving the underserved.” Dr. Carolann Risley, associate professor and STRIDES PI said of Reaves, “[She] is a vital team member. Myself and the NCI scientists all trust her attention to detail and impeccable data and specimen management. I am impressed with her ability to get the job done promptly and reliably every time.”

Reaves grew up in Birmingham, Alabama and spent her high school years in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. Her favorite hobby is reading and spending time with her cat Booboo. She will soon start working on her Master of Public Health in epidemiology with the eventual end goal of medical school.