糖心Vlog

Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) at the age of four,聽Briana Landis, 鈥�19, has never wanted her disease to define her. Instead, she wants to use her diagnosis to help others. That passion for making a difference has fueled her involvement at 糖心Vlog.

鈥淚 will not let my MS or anything else drag me down,鈥� said Briana. 鈥淚 decided to turn this disease into a positive opportunity. I was not going to let it define who I was, but instead I wanted to use it to inspire me to become a better person, and ultimately, one who inspires others.鈥�

When Briana arrived on Meredith鈥檚 campus as a freshman, she was set on being a pediatric physician assistant, but after taking her first research class, she was hooked. One of her favorite things about Meredith is the opportunity to participate in the Undergraduate Research Program. Through that program, she has been able to find her passion for research and has her eyes set on a new career goal.

鈥淎fter I graduate, I want to pursue a career in medical research, but more specifically Multiple Sclerosis research so that I can help find a cure for MS,鈥� said Briana. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 want any other child or parent, or anyone in general, to ever hear the words 鈥榊ou have MS and there is currently no cure鈥� again.鈥�

With CSA Day approaching, Briana and her lab partner have high hopes of being able to present their undergraduate research project, which is on probiotics and the gastrointestinal tract.

Her undergraduate research project will help with her summer internship, where she will be working with Simon Gregory, a world-renowned MS researcher from Duke University. Briana will spend her summer studying probiotics and MS at the David H Murdock Research Institute in Kannapolis, N.C.

鈥淚 absolutely love the Undergraduate Research Program,鈥� said Briana. 鈥淏eing in this program, as well as my many speaking engagements, has given me this opportunity, and being in the program has given me the confidence and skills to be able to participate in such an amazing opportunity.鈥�

Briana is a biology major who has taken advantage of what Meredith has to offer. As the valedictorian of her high school, it only seemed fitting that she would enroll in the Honors Program at Meredith. She is an Honors College Scholar, a member of the Elections Board, the Campus Activities Board, and the Review Board. Next year, she will be on the Student Government Association Executive Board, where she will serve as chair of the Elections Board.

Throughout her life, running has always been an outlet for her and a true passion. As an avid runner, Briana knows it is unusual for her to be able to compete in races and enjoy a nice run outdoors. Many people with MS lose the ability to walk, to see, or even their cognitive function.

鈥淏eing a runner and staying active have actually helped my MS, decreasing the amount of lesions on my brain,鈥� Briana said. 鈥淚 also give myself shots every other day to help control my MS and to keep it from progressing.鈥�

The sophomore from Mooresville, N.C., has been an advocate for MS since she was a child, putting together an MS Walk Team at the age of five, and earning the Kohl鈥檚 Kids Who Care Award at the age of seven, which earned her an appearance on聽The Montel Williams Show. In 15 years, her team has raised $100,000 for the National MS Society to fund MS research in hopes of finding a cure.

鈥淭hat experience gave me one goal in life: to help find and fund a cure for MS,鈥� said Briana. 鈥淣ow, almost ten years later, I have that same goal.鈥�

Because of her passion for finding a cure, Briana is actively involved with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. She has served as the featured speaker at many annual MS Society conferences throughout the year and was awarded the Medal of Valor in Excellence in Leadership.

鈥淏eing at Meredith and in Raleigh has given me the opportunity to be near the MS Society headquarters,鈥� said Briana. 鈥淚t has also given me the tools to not only be a stronger speaker, but also a stronger woman. I love to meet new people and share my story.鈥�

In her spare time, she manages a聽blog聽where she talks about living with MS in college and all the great things she has been doing as an advocate for the disease. In preparation for becoming a medical researcher, she plans to earn a master鈥檚 and a Ph.D. in molecular biology.