Minister Gregory & Sister Kandis Adams both of Deliverance Temple, met almost four years ago, while visiting college campuses for graduate programs that might lead them to medical school. His opening line to Kandis was, "Hey, we have the very same backpack." Eight months later, they were married.
They are currently both in their second year of their PHD program in Biomedical Science at Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia and are passionate about the science of cancer and health disparities. They each have 3.5 grade point averages and are applying to medical schools, after completing their PhD’s. Their first and foremost rule: never compete against each other, but compete to make one another better. "We will work together to reach the same goal," said Kandis. "And working together has made learning science a whole lot easier."
In October, Gregory and Kandis were in Miami, Florida for the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) Science of Cancer Health Disparities Conference. As a recipient of a NCI/CRCHD sponsored AACR Minority Scholar in Cancer Research Award, Gregory had the opportunity to present a poster on epithelial ovarian carcinoma and some of the work he has done with CRCHD grantee, Dr. Felix O. Aikhionbare. This award enhances the education and training of minority researchers, and provides support for participation of early-career, meritorious minority scientists at the AACR Annual Meeting. Gregory and Kandis have attended several health disparity conferences together. Gregory has recently co-authored a scientific paper on mitochondrial DNA analysis in colorectal adenomas.
Gregory's current research, with Dr. Aikhionbare, funded by NCI/CRCHD, is focused on the role of the mitochondrial genome alterations as modifier 'genes' in the early and progressive stages, and dissecting the molecular basis of intra-tumor heterogeneity in colorectal adenomas. Kandis is studying airplane jet lag not only on how it affects the circadian rhythm but also how it affects the body's immune system, during an inflammatory state. She is currently working with mouse models and found a passenger is more prone to get jet lag going from West to East rather than East to West.
Both Kandis and Gregory have shadowed doctors both in Atlanta and elsewhere. Kandis spent the summer of 2005 at the Yale University Medical School Summer Medical Education Program. She also became a NASA Scholar in 2010. Gregory shadowed a physician from Johns Hopkins and worked as a volunteer at Johns Hopkins Medical Institution Bayview Hospital in 2007.
When they aren't preparing for medical school, Gregory and Kandis spend time giving back to the community. They work at the Ben Carson Science Academy in Atlanta to get young minority students better acquainted with science and mathematics. They established a Youth Mentoring program, an organization called D.R.R.L.L. (Discipline Respect Responsibility Leadership, and Love). They have both volunteered for Project3Sixty, Inc, helping to establish a rehabilitation center for the homeless. In 2008, they went on a health care adventure where they moved to Antigua, studied healthcare techniques, and gained an edge on the experience of residing in a poverty stricken and healthcare lacking country.
Sister Kandis states, “ Our passion is to help others. We have faced many obstacles yet we know through faith, works, and obedience to God's word, nothing can keep us from our goals.”
As the scripture reads, "...Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me..."-Matt 25:40. Keeping this focus and being altruistic, has encouraged my wife and I to continue to strive for success in whatever endeavor. At times the road gets tough, but if we continue to endure until the end, God will make us more than conquerors!!!