2025 Dr. Arthur A. Kezian DDS Science Scholarship

Recipient | David Laseinde

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Over eight years ago, Dr. Arthur A. Kezian DDS, a Los Angeles Cosmetic Dentist, founded a scholarship program with the intention of supporting and inspiring students as they pursue careers in the field of science. As these students pursue their higher education, they face financial expenses that are difficult to handle. Dr. Kezian sought to address this issue by creating this annual scholarship program. Inspired by his own experience as a student of biochemistry at UCLA and ultimately achieving his degree in dentistry, Dr. Kezian understands the financial pressures these students are facing. He aims to support the students financially so that they focus a little less on the money and more on pursuing their dreams. This year, we are proud to announce a new scholarship recipient to award and congratulate – David Laseinde.

 

David is a dedicated and well-rounded student passionate about service, medicine, and research. After excelling in secondary school in Nigeria, he moved to the United States to start college and is now a thriving junior at the University of Southern Mississippi (USM), majoring in Biomedical Science and minoring in Chemistry. David hopes to become a physician-scientist and, hopefully, work toward reducing healthcare disparities faced by underserved and low-income populations in the United States and Nigeria. He aims to make an impact in biomedical research by developing innovative medicines to improve healthcare for patients.

To achieve these goals, David quickly immersed himself in his new environment, participating in the Student Government Association (SGA) as a Freshman Associate. He also volunteered with USM’s Telenutrition Center, educating underserved communities about the risks of unhealthy diets and the benefits of increased water intake.

Following his sophomore year, he took on more leadership roles, serving as a Senator for the College of Arts and Sciences and as Vice President of the American Medical Students Association chapter at USM, where he is currently President. He has also held leadership roles in the Minority Association for Premedical Students (MAPS), the Nigerian Students Association, and as an International Student Ambassador. David was named MAPS Member of the Year in his freshman year and International Undergraduate Researcher of the Year in his sophomore year. He has continued his commitment to service by volunteering at Forrest General Hospital and Heart of Hospice.

Over the past two years, he has engaged in biomedical research both at school and externally. He completed two consecutive summers at a cancer research internship at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire, where he presented his research at two conferences, one of them a national conference, and earned second authorship on a research paper publication. David maintains a 4.0 GPA and is working toward attending medical school.

These roles and achievements are reflections of his character and values which align with the values of the Dr. Arthur A. Kezian DDS Science scholarship.

David was very appreciative and honored to be the recipient of the Dr. Arthur A. Kezian DDS Science Scholarship for the 2024-2025 school years. When he was asked about his thoughts on the award and the impact it will have on his career, he replied with the following:

“Winning this award means so much to me and my family, as I came from another country to study here in the US. It serves as encouragement and fuel to keep me going on this path, letting me know I’m right where I’m supposed to be, and I’m doing quite alright.”

To see David’s video submission for his application, please click the following link: