Eva Noles, the former Director of Nursing at Roswell Park and the first African-American RN in Buffalo, has lived her life believing “where there’s a will, there’s a way.” Brittany Peoples, a recent graduate of Buffalo State College, approaches each day with a similar attitude. In 2008 Brittany won the first Eva Noles Scholarship, which was established for Roswell Park employees pursuing a first degree. Yroswell got a chance to learn more about this motivated young woman.

What was your college major?

In May I completed a dual Bachelors of Science degree in both Forensic Chemistry and Criminal Justice.

Plans after graduation?

Continuing my education in a graduate program studying cancer epidemiology in hopes to one day receive my Masters and PhD, conduct research and become an educator in cancer epidemiology and study health disparities among different racial groups.

What does winning the Eva Noles Scholarship mean to you?

The scholarship means a lot to me. Soon after I received the scholarship, I began to realize how I could use the scholarship to help prepare me for my future. The award has helped me further my academic success and provided me with a wealth of opportunities I wouldn’t have had if I was not selected as the scholarship recipient. I am thankful for the committee and all their nurturing and support because they offered me resources and opportunities that as a young African-American woman can seem surreal.

You’re helping to create a world without cancer at RPCI. What do you do?

I am a Telephone Interviewer in the Health Behavior department. After working in Survey Research & Data Acquisition for a year, an academic data center, I became more interested in the various topics of data research we collected. Through this position I became very interested in cancer and conducting my own research in the future in epidemiology and health disparities affecting minorities.

What advice can you offer other Gen Y’ers who want to fight cancer or may be dealing with cancer?

Follow your dreams and heart. Always go after every opportunity you are ever offered. With hard work and determination nothing is impossible. I truly believe that education is the means of accomplishing endless possibilities. Something that has stuck with me throughout my high school and college career is a quote from Mahatma Gandhi’s advice to “be the change you wish to see in the world,” which I hope to accomplish by giving back and helping those following in the same steps I did. For the children that may be dealing with cancer, see past the rain and never give up. Look towards the rainbow and always have faith.