KU Student Shines in Tribal Health Experiential Internship Seminar (THESIS)

Oklahoma City, OK – September 2, 2026

Toby Brown, a citizen of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma and recent Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology graduate from the University of Kansas, made a significant impact during the eight-week Tribal Health Experiential Internship Seminar (THESIS) program. THESIS is a virtual internship focused on promoting Tribal public health and is funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Office of Science through its Lewis Scholars Program.

As one of seven organizations in the Lewis Scholars Program, THESIS operates under the Southern Plains Tribal Health Board in Oklahoma City. Interns delve into Native American culture, resilience, and various aspects of public health, including epidemiology and research. Their intensive eight-week journey culminates in the creation of research posters, which they presented at the THESIS Showcase in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 

Toby Brown’s research topic was Investigating Artificial Intelligence Medical Models and the Impact on American Indian and Alaska Native Public Health: A Scoping Review. Reflecting on their THESIS experience, they shared, “My experience with the THESIS program bridged my background in molecular, cellular, and developmental biology with the broader disciplines of public health and data science. Under the guidance of a mentor from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), I conducted a scoping review and developed an academic research poster investigating the impacts of artificial intelligence on American Indian and Alaska Native populations. This mentorship enhanced my capabilities in scientific research, complex data interpretation, and data visualization. Additionally, the THESIS program helped me build core professional competencies. I learned to synthesize complex qualitative and quantitative data into high-impact, multi-modal digital narratives for public health communication via training using WeVideo. Now that I have developed these analytical and technical skills, I feel better equipped to begin my transition into medical school.

Beyond analytical and technical methodologies, the THESIS program expanded my clinical perspective by making clear the universal impact of public health initiatives across diverse populations. Our sessions integrated the history of Native Americans with world-wide epidemiological principles to reinforce the necessity of collaborative health infrastructure and systemic equity. We engaged in traditional, Native American beadwork and even had discussion with U.S. Poet Laureate, Joy Harjo. Each session we had provided invaluable opportunities to cultivate perspective outside of my own lived experience. Therefore, as a future physician, I am grateful that the THESIS program strengthened my holistic understanding of institutional collaboration and global wellness.”

For more information about THESIS and the Lewis Scholars Program, visit https://thesis.spthb.org.