Alyssa (McCoy) Agnes ‘02

What grades did you attend Bullis? What year did you graduate?

I attended Bullis from 9th - 12th grade and graduated in the Class of 2002.

Where did you attend college and what is your occupation?

Emmanuel College (Boston, MA) for B.S. in Biology and Meharry Medical College (Nashville, TN) for Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences. I am a Biomedical Research Scientist.

What activities or classes were most memorable for you as you reflect on your time at Bullis?

The class trips at the beginning of the year were always memorable. My class went camping freshman year, explored Washington, DC sophomore year, college tours junior year, and participated in different outdoor excursions senior year. Spirit week leading up to Homecoming was also a great time every year. I remember being an emcee for the Field Day event where Upper School students paired with Lower and Middle School students to compete in games for the day. As far as classes, of course I enjoyed many if not all of my science courses but I learned a great deal in English classes with Ms. Thrower- Patterson. I give her a great deal of credit for making me a decent writer. It came in handy when writing my dissertation.

How did Bullis best prepare you for college and beyond?

While at Bullis it was a requirement to play a sport/s. I was no stranger to the student-athlete life and learned how to successfully navigate challenging coursework and athletics while at Bullis. I ended up playing basketball in college. That transition into challenging college-level courses while having a demanding basketball schedule was fairly easy for me. This same skill has been very beneficial in my career and personal life, I am able to handle a very challenging workload dealing with multiple collaborators and clients while being present in my household and even having some time to keep up personal hobbies like sewing and flipping furniture.

Please tell us about what you have been doing since graduating from Bullis.

After graduating Bullis, I went to Emmanuel College in Boston, MA where I majored in Biology. During my junior and senior years I worked as a research technician at Joslin Diabetes Center and Brigham and Women's Hospital before deciding to pursue a doctoral degree in Biomedical Sciences. I went on to study at Meharry Medical College which is a Historically Black College in Nashville, TN. During grad school I trained as a visiting scholar at UCSD in San Diego , CA. Once I completed my Ph.D., I came back to the area and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health studying influenza and even SARS-CoV2. I am now a Lead Staff Scientist at Propagenix, a small biotech company located in Gaithersburg, MD and an advocate for increasing diversity and underrepresented minorities in STEM.

Which part of your journey has been most rewarding?

Completing my doctoral degree and becoming the first individual in my immediate family to receive a Ph.D. Also in 2020, I was listed as a Rising Star on the "1,000 Inspiring Black Scientists in America" list by Cell Mentor from Cell Press & Cell Signaling Technology.

What would you say to Bullis students who are currently on their journey to finding purpose?

Your journey will be filled with highs and lows but stay the course. Every key moment on your journey will serve as a lesson and what you end up learning along the way is what shapes and defines your purpose. Embrace the good as well as the bad, it makes your journey unique to you.

Who is someone that inspires you and how?

Personally, my late mother Tanya McCoy. She made the final decision for me to attend Bullis. I huffed and puffed about attending private school but it was one of many incredible things she did for me. Professionally, Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett, scientific lead for the coronavirus vaccine. She's a great example of why representation matters. A Black woman scientist that was behind the COVID vaccine. Her presence is an example for black girls and minority children that STEM careers are a possibility and attainable.

What is the best book or production that you have read, watched, or listened to lately?

Self-publishing is becoming a big thing and I have friends and family members who have published books that I've read. A few are: Journey to the Abyss by Jack E. Mohr (a favorite), my Bullis classmate and best friend's book Trademark Like A Boss: The Ultimate Step-By-Step Guide to Protecting Your Brand by Radiance W. Harris, Esq., and There's No Place Like S.T.E.A.M: Engineer Joe Saves the Day by Joseph Bostic Jr. Shameless plug... they can all be purchased on Amazon so go and support!

Why would you tell a prospective family to choose Bullis?*

Bullis created the foundation for my professional career. The community of faculty, staff, and students prepared me both academically and socially. Any student who attends will receive a top-tier education and leave well-rounded and equipped for success.