ADC

Off to UPenn! Meet Dotun. Born in Abuja, Nigeria, and now living in Springfield, Virginia, Dotun is a highly motivated student whose experiences growing up in Nigeria shaped her dedication to medicine and public health. While in Nigeria, she observed firsthand the disparities in healthcare, particularly for women—black women are two to three times more likely to die in childbirth than white women, and only 3.8% of physicians in the U.S. are Black women. These realities sparked her passion for medicine, health equity, and ensuring that vulnerable populations receive quality care.
With a 4.4 GPA and a course load filled with AP and advanced classes—including AP Physics, Multivariable Calculus, AP Biology, AP Literature, AP Government, and Language of Medicine—Dotun is committed to both academic rigor and intellectual curiosity. She is a member of the French, Math, and National Honor Societies, contributing through scholarship, tutoring, and service to her peers.
Leadership has been a defining feature of Dotun’s high school career. She served in class leadership for three years, helping plan school events and welcoming new students to the community. She was elected as a Student Superintendent Advisory Council (SAC) Officer for both her junior and senior years, advising the superintendent on student concerns and educational equity. Moreover, she helped craft a plan that was presented to the superintendent on equity in ESOL student education. Dotun also serves as Co-President of the African Student Union, promoting cultural pride, inclusion, and awareness among her peers.
Her passion for public health and research is evident through her projects and internships. Dotun authored an original research article on the intersection between mental health and the opioid epidemic, which is currently being reviewed with support from the Fairfax County Health Department and the Head Of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Epidemiology. She presented this research at the Global Health Leaders Conference at Johns Hopkins University, sharing her findings with professors, public health professionals, and peers. She completed the AEOP STEM Foundations Program during the summer and serves as a Research and Publication Intern at Eastern TV Broadcasting, where she synthesizes complex scientific topics into articles for broader audiences.
Service and advocacy are central to Dotun’s identity. She volunteers at her church nursery, caring for children and supporting families, and at a physical therapy clinic, gaining experience in patient care and rehabilitation. As a member of the Student Human Rights Commission, she has worked on initiatives to ensure equity in education, including a plan addressing disparities faced by ESOL students, which was formally presented to the superintendent. Her advocacy highlights her dedication to justice, equity, and student voice.
Beyond academics and service, Dotun demonstrates excellence in extracurriculars and leadership. She is the co-captain of both her school’s Varsity Cheer and Varsity Gymnastics teams, inspiring her peers with discipline and teamwork. As a Fairfax County Public Health Youth Ambassador, she designed and implemented a community health project on opioid use in adolescence, which placed in the top 20 and was presented at Georgetown University. Recognizing her exceptional contributions, she was invited to join the Public Health Youth Ambassador newsletter team, working alongside two college students to contribute research, projects, and initiatives to the broader community. She also holds extensive experience as a certified lifeguard, maintaining multiple certifications for three years, and is a certified pool operator. Additionally, she launched the KidJoy Project, a passion initiative bringing moments of joy to hospitalized children, reflecting her compassion and creativity.
In her free time, Dotun enjoys shopping, walking in nature, and exploring new experiences with friends and family. She is deeply committed to using her leadership, research, and advocacy to make a meaningful impact on health equity, public health, and her community.