Nine Rankin County School District students graduated from Project SEARCH, a job training program for students with disabilities. Family, friends, colleagues and allies celebrated their accomplishments and their futures as they prepare for work with UMMC and other locations in the community.

Alper Coban has taken a circuitous route to dentistry, including logging more than 15,000 research hours and completing a master’s degree in environmental toxicology before beginning dental school. He has moved from his home country of Turkey to the United States, and in May, he will be just one more step away from reaching his ultimate goal of becoming a dentist.

Master of Science in Biostatistics and Data Science graduates Md. Mohiuddin Adnan, Jenna Zhu and Shamsed Mahmud are the first students to earn degrees from UMMC’s newest school. Next, they will continue their Ph.D. studies and use the powerful tools of data science to create a healthier Mississippi and world.

Elizabeth Hearn may be graduating from the University of Mississippi Medical Center, but she’ll be back in July to start her PGY1 in the School of Pharmacy. The Senatobia native said she’s confident in her education from the University of Mississippi and UMMC and where it will take her in the future.

Several interesting events are scheduled for the upcoming weeks at the Medical Center.