Brinkley-Lane Profile: AbdulHamid Dauda
During Selection Sunday, AbdulHamid Dauda saw what it would be like to attend East Carolina University and realized he had an opportunity to be a unique success story as part of the Brinkley-Lane Scholars program.
Dauda, son of Abimbola Waheed Dauda and Aminat Temitayo Dauda, of Greenville, was swayed when he learned more about the program and the learning experiences the university offers.
“I actually figured out how close knit the community was. It was amazing,” Dauda said. “(My guide) Eric was a big part of why I chose this program. He showed me what going to ECU would be like. I realized that ECU offers so much more than I expected.”
Brinkley-Lane Scholars is the most prestigious undergraduate award program offered at ECU. The four-year merit scholarship recognizes outstanding academic performance, commitment to community engagement and strong leadership skills. Recipients receive a fully funded education, covering the cost of tuition, fees, room and board for both in-state and out-of-state students and unique high impact experiences, as well as the ability to explore the world with a $5,000 study abroad stipend. Scholars benefit from access to an array of leadership opportunities, research with award-winning faculty and a robust alumni network.
Dauda said he weighed the pros and cons of choosing ECU and he was swayed by the opportunities and facilities ECU provided.
“We went through the uniqueness (of ECU). It gives me a chance to be unique.” he said. “And also the travel abroad. Not a lot of people who want to go to medical school have a travel abroad opportunity or medical experience abroad.”
He is interested in global outreach programs, such as Doctors Without Borders, where he can “travel the world helping underserved communities – where they need health care.”
Originally from Nigeria, Dauda and his family have lived in Greenville for four years.
His experience of being from Africa, seeing things that happen around the world, and connecting to them gives Dauda a desire to want to help these underserved communities.
“I’ve been blessed, and I recognize that and this blessing doesn’t come without sacrifice,” Dauda said. “Some people had to sacrifice for me to be here today and I hope to sacrifice for others to enjoy some of the blessings that I’m enjoying today too.”
Dauda hopes to study abroad in South Korea. Research programs there are world renowned for studying the model organism C. elegans — a nematode, or roundworm, that shares many of the essential biological characteristics that are central problems of human biology.
Supporting his worldwide focus, Dauda is growing his language proficiency. He is fluent in Yoruba, the native language of his West African home, proficient in French and Arabic, and is learning Spanish.
Once on campus Dauda hopes to participate in the paramedic program and volunteer at the hospital and JOY Soup Kitchen. He also is eager to join club soccer.
Dauda has been a participant in Brody’s Honors Medical Research Program for high school students, studying under Dr. Myon Hee Lee in hematology, conducting C. elegans research.
Dauda has a summer packed with schoolwork and hopes to have some fun along the way. He is completing an associate’s degree at Pitt Community College and is eager to spend time in the research lab if the opportunity arises. Any free time available will include time at the gym, playing soccer with my friends or testing his virtual soccer skills playing FIFA.
“I actually figured out how close knit the community was. It was amazing. (My host) Eric was a big part of why I chose this program. He showed me what going to ECU would be like. I realized that ECU offers so much more than I expected.”
High school: D.H. Conley High School
Intended major: Chemistry
Current City: Greenville