Rising senior named Phi Beta Kappa 2026 Key into Public Service Scholar

UB student Aisha Makama, a rising senior majoring in biochemistry and political science, is one of 20 students nationwide selected as a 2026 Key into Public Service Scholar by the Phi Beta Kappa Society (PBK), the nation’s most prestigious academic honor society. The award recognizes students who have demonstrated interest in working in the public sector and possess a strong academic record in the arts, humanities, mathematics, natural sciences and social sciences.

Selected as one of an elite group of just 20 from more than 800 applicants from chapter institutions across the nation, Makama was chosen in part for her passion in advancing health equity at the intersection of science and public policy. Makama is a highly involved UB student, serving as an Honors College Scholar, a College of Arts and Sciences Student Research Advocate and a tutor at Tutoring and Academic Support Services. She also helps advocate for students serving as a SUNY Student Association delegate.

“I am incredibly honored to be selected as a Phi Beta Kappa Key into Public Service Scholar,” says Makama. “This recognition means a great deal to me, as it reflects my commitment to using both science and policy to serve others and address disparities in health care.”

Makama and her fellow Key into Public Service Scholars will each receive a $7,600 undergraduate scholarship in honor of Phi Beta Kappa Society’s 250th anniversary. This cohort of students will attend an in-person conference in June in Washington, D.C., where they will receive training, mentoring and reflection on public service pathways. Inspired by the many PBK members who have shaped the course of the nation through local, state and federal service, the award highlights specific pathways for liberal arts and graduates seeking public sector careers.

During her time at UB, Makama has gained extensive experience as an intern at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, working with Michael Feigin in the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, where she studied the role of cancer-associated fibroblasts in pancreatic cancer, and with Mark Farrugia and Anurag Singh in the Department of Radiation Medicine, where she focused on head and neck cancer. She also volunteers as a patient transporter at the Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center. Her current research interests are genome editing and CRISPR-Cas9 — a revolutionary gene-editing technology that acts as a molecular scissors to cut, delete or replace specific DNA sequences within living organisms.

In addition to her work at Roswell, she collaborates with Michael Stefenone, professor in the UB Department of Communication, conducting research examining the impact of social media on mental health.

“Aisha is a fantastic example of what Phi Beta Kappa stands for,” says Mark Seery, president of the UB chapter of Phi Beta Kappa and professor in the Department of Psychology. “She pursues depth and breadth in her learning, she conducts research in multiple distinct fields, and she is committed to serving others. She is the kind of well-rounded human being that the society has been honoring for 250 years.

“I am so happy to see her recognized with this award, which she very much deserves,” Seery says. “It is also an honor for UB to be represented among this year’s winners.”

Makama has earned multiple awards and honors in addition to the PBK recognition. She is a member of the McNair Scholars Program, a recipient of UB’s Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP) funding, a member of  the 2023 Ron Brown Scholar Program and a 2025 recipient of the Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholarship for Public Service, which allowed her to spend the summer in West Africa creating better learning opportunities for local students.

“Being a student at UB has played a major role in shaping this path,” says Makama. “Through my interdisciplinary studies in biochemistry and political science, along with hands-on experience in cancer research and community health outreach, I’ve connected academic learning with real-world impact.”

Makama previously served as a senior director at the National STEM Honor Society, leading global initiatives to expand access to science education. As an Innovation Fellow at the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress, she analyzed the effects of National Institutes of Health funding cuts on cancer research and patient outcomes.

“An arts and sciences education prepares students not only to understand the world, but also to shape a future where democracy thrives,” says Frederick M. Lawrence, Phi Beta Kappa secretary and CEO. “The 2026 service scholars embody that spirit of engagement. They apply their learning to strengthen communities and advance the public good. At a time when thoughtful leadership and civic participation matter deeply, they show what it means to lead with knowledge, curiosity and purpose.”

Originally from Kano, Nigeria, Makama plans to pursue an MD-PhD and a career as a physician–scientist focused on equitable health care delivery.