Meet Zanita Akinkugbe ’27 Akinkugbe’s goal of becoming a pediatric oncologist has been reinforced by her research lab work.

Office of Communications and Public Affairs
May 6, 2025

Zanita Akinkugbe ’27
Hometown: Lagos, Nigeria
Majors/minors: Neuroscience major with a double minor in education policy and poverty and human capability studies

Why did you choose to come to W&L?
Unlike most students, my journey to Washington and Lee wasn’t an instant match — especially as an international student. I had already decided on an early decision school and was just days away from hitting the submit button when I attended a virtual visit with a W&L admissions officer. At the time, I had never heard of Washington and Lee, but a quick Google search led me to it and the Shepherd Program — and I was blown away.

Having founded my own nonprofit, Education4Tomorrow, in my home country, I had been searching for a college deeply committed to service. I hadn’t found one that truly aligned with my passion until Washington and Lee. As I spoke with the admissions officer, I felt a sense of familiarity unlike anything I had experienced during other virtual and in-person visits — even from over 1,000 miles away, she was able to connect with me. I was struck by how genuinely invested she was in getting to know me, something I hadn’t encountered anywhere else. I wanted a school that mirrored the strong sense of community my high school had given me, and W&L felt exactly like that.

Changing my early decision school to Washington and Lee didn’t take much convincing. And looking back, it was the best choice I ever made.

What was your favorite class and why?
Coming to Washington and Lee, I never imagined myself taking a religion class — ever. But in Spring Term 2024, I had the opportunity to be in professor Dallas Tatman’s class, where we explored the unexpected intersections between religion and pop culture. Initially, I couldn’t see any connection between the two, but there I was, sitting in a class dedicated entirely to it.

I loved every second of it — learning about Madonna, the Church of Scientology, Pastafarians and the Jedi religion. At first, it all seemed a bit silly, but the more we dove in, the more fascinating it became. The class challenged my perspectives and kept me engaged the entire time, making it one of the most memorable courses I’ve taken at W&L.

What are your hobbies/interests? How has W&L helped you develop and pursue them?
I aspire to work in the medical field, specifically as a pediatric oncologist. Coming to W&L, I never expected to find opportunities directly related to that path, but I was quickly proven wrong.

During my freshman year, while searching for summer research opportunities, I came across Dr. Sarah Kim’s lab, Developing Safer Chemotherapeutics, which focuses on treatments for pediatric brain tumors. I was amazed by the opportunity and immediately applied, leading to a follow-up conversation with Dr. Kim. While I didn’t get the position on my first attempt, I was determined to keep trying. The following semester, I finally joined her lab — and I’ve been working with her ever since.

The work we do is beyond incredible, and I’m grateful to explore pathways to my future career at the undergraduate level. Every day I walk into the lab, I have a smile on my face that’s hard to wipe off. W&L has not only given me the space to pursue my interests but has also fueled my passion for pediatric oncology in ways I never imagined.

Fun fact:
I know how to mix and lay mortar for building houses! I learned how to do so during my first-year Bonner trip where we volunteered at the local Habitat for Humanity.