Driven by her conviction that nutrition is essential in chronic disease prevention, and her belief that everyone can experience better health and vitality with the proper diet, Michika Nickerson is promising to be an innovative force in the field of cancer prevention. Her fresh ideas about health promotion, people skills, and counseling expertise will make her a revolutionary in the art of behavior change toward healthy eating, and instrumental in propelling local and global communities into a new era of health and wellness.

Michika’s dedication to improving the lives of individuals and communities is demonstrated by her professional commitments. She currently works at The Ohio State University Medical Center as a central processor for OSUMC Clinical Labs, where she is instrumental in providing clinical staff with the medical lab information they need to properly care for their patients. This summer, Michika coauthored the Family Program and health career handbook for Road of Life. Michika’s leadership and heart to serve others is not only demonstrated through her professional commitments, but her community activities as well. She is an active member of her church, New Salem Missionary Baptist Church of Columbus Ohio, where she serves as an usher on the young adult board and member of the Sisters With an Attitude of Prayer (S.W.A.P) CARE group. Through these commitments, Michika often volunteers her time collecting clothing and toiletry items for the homeless, disadvantaged and displaced families of Hurricane Katrina, serving at the church’s food pantry, and donating items to care packages for college students. In addition, she mentors first year students within the College of Public Health.

She graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Biology, minor in Physical Anthropology degree spring of 2003 from The Ohio State University, and is now a second-year’s Master’s candidate in the newly inaugurated College of Public Health at The Ohio State University. Her Masters of Public Health will concentrate in health behavior and health promotion. She hopes to graduate in summer of 2008, and her future plans include owning and directing a community health center focused on promoting health through nutrition and physical fitness.