Dr. Ima Ebong Named on List of '1,000 Inspiring Black Scientists in America'
Ima Ebong, MD, MS, assistant professor in the University of Kentucky College of Medicine Department of Neurology, was recently named one of “1,000 Inspiring Black Scientists in America” in a list published by Cell Mentor, an online resource for researchers.
The list, compiled by The Community of Scholars, recognizes the significant contributions Black scientists have made in research.
“I’m incredibly humbled to be featured on this list alongside so many outstanding scientists, many whom I have admired since my childhood,” Dr. Ebong said. “I’m grateful for this opportunity, and this acknowledgment motivates me even more to continue paving the way for future physicians, scholars, and researchers.”
Dr. Ebong is board-certified in neurology and clinical neurophysiology. She specializes in the treatment of epilepsy and neuromuscular disorders at the Kentucky Neuroscience Institute. She maintains a passion for education and has taken initiative to ensure equal opportunities for all future physicians and scientists in her department and college-wide.
In 2010, Dr. Ebong established the University of Kentucky Medical Education Development (UKMED) program, an annual program that recruits pre-medical students from underrepresented groups to the UK College of Medicine. As a member of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN), she participated in the 2019 Diversity Leadership Program, which aimed to engage members from underrepresented groups for leadership development. In 2020, she was also selected by the AAN to serve as a member of the Specialty Commission on Racism, Inequity, and Social Justice.
Dr. Ebong currently mentors non-majority students through the UK College of Medicine’s pipeline programs and leads diversity initiatives as the director of diversity and inclusion in the department of neurology. In addition, she serves as the faculty advisor for the UK chapter of the Student National Medical Association (SNMA).
Before earning her medical degree at the UK College of Medicine, Dr. Ebong received a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering and a master’s in bioengineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. She completed her neurology residency and fellowship in clinical neurophysiology at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami.
Cell Mentor’s list of 1,000 inspiring Black scientists also recognized Brittany Givens Rassoolkhani, PhD, assistant professor of chemical and materials engineering at the UK College of Engineering.
To view the list published by Cell Mentor, click here.
