Student Spotlight: Nana Kofi Kusi-Boadum
March 25, 2025 • Student Experience
Our Student Spotlights are a chance to get to know some of the students who make this campus such a vibrant community. If you’d be interested in being featured in an upcoming Student Spotlight or would like to recommend someone, please email studaffr@unthsc.edu.
Nana Kofi Kusi-Boadum
PhD in Biomedical Sciences (Pharmacology and Neuroscience)
What is a fun fact about you?
I’m a mixologist: if we have a regular social conversation, I’ll extract its mental health relevance and months later, make you a cocktail of artistic storytelling through rap music and film with a slice of psychology perched on top.
What is an identity you’re proud to share with others at HSC?
To ease the burden of balancing the many seemingly unrelated hats I wear, I’ve successfully merged them into a powerful scientific communication turbine. Pursuing a PhD after practicing as a pharmacist is already a heavy load. Adding the role of a conceptual music artist who directs and shoots videos to amplify the message doesn’t make it any lighter. I’ve faced my share of failures, and trade-offs, but for three years, I’ve kept my head above water and, most importantly, touched lives along the way.
What attracted you to HSC?
When I call HSC a home away from home, I mean it in every sense of the word. It’s a place where I feel supported, connected, and truly valued.
How have you gotten involved on campus?
- Coaching Up program (student lead)
- International Students Association (vice president/media)
- HSC Student Ambassador
- Neuropharm Connect (media)
- HSC Powerful Pens, Visible Voices (2023 class)
If you could recommend students attend one campus activity or event, what would it be and why?
The HSC Cultural Night, organized by the International Student Association, each fall semester. It’s always exciting to see which faculty and students have hidden talents tucked away beneath their lab coats while you eat something you’ve most likely never tried before!
What advice would you give to a student who is looking to make the most of their time at HSC?
The opportunities on campus are in two places: HSC Daily News and with the person you shared an elevator ride with today. So, if you forget to check your email in the morning, at least don’tmiss the chance to make conversation. You’d be surprised at how much you can learn from a simple hello and a warm smile.
How has your HSC experience been so far?
It’s been like real life in 4K. From days when I’vefelt incredibly blessed and accomplished, to many others when failures or slow progress made me question if I belong here. But for every day that imposter syndrome kicked in, the HSC community was there to help me weather the storm: my research committee, my PIs, my friends, and most importantly, the custodial staff at RES. When everyone leaves campus, and it’sjust you and your negative data, you know they’llstill be there with a smile, asking how your day went, and reminding you that you are doing just fine.
What are your plans after you finish at HSC?
I intend to capitalize on my interest and experience in scientific communication to go into policy and advocacy or medical affairs in an industry.
If you’d be interested in being featured in an upcoming Student Spotlight or would like to recommend someone, please email studaffr@unthsc.edu.
Social media