Dr. Roni Ellington Selected as Hopelab 2025–26 HBCU Translational Science Fellow

Second Cohort of Fellows to Focus on Translating Research into Practical Solutions that Support the Mental Health and Well-Being of Black Adolescents

Morgan State University’s Roni Ellington, Ph.D., professor of Mathematics Education and Advanced Studies, Leadership and Policy, has been selected as a fellow for Hopelab’s HBCU Translational Science 2025-2026 cohort. Dr. Ellington is one of six researchers from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) chosen to participate in the fellowship.

During the 2025–26 academic year, Fellows will work alongside experts from Hopelab, industry leaders, and fellow HBCU researchers to advance studies aimed at improving mental health outcomes for Black youth ages 10–25. As part of the program, Fellows will contribute specialized expertise in Black youth well-being and work to translate their research into practical approaches and solutions through partnerships in areas such as practice, products, and policy.

Dr. Ellington is a scholar, entrepreneur, and leader in transforming STEM education through culturally responsive practices. Trained as a mathematics educator, her expertise focuses on how to cultivate student success in mathematics and STEM-related disciplines. As a member of Morgan’s School of Education and Urban Studies faculty, Dr. Ellington provides instruction in Mathematics Education. She has also served as principal investigator on several National Science Foundation-funded projects, including the SEMINAL grant, which focused on incorporating culturally responsive teaching into university mathematics classrooms, among others. Her widely published research has made her a highly sought-after thought leader.

Hopelab is a social innovation lab that advances the mental health and well-being of young people through uncovering knowledge and evidence, investing in innovators, and funding youth-centered solutions.

Dr. Ellington’s selection reflects Morgan’s continued goal of driving real-world impact locally, nationally, and globally through the school’s research efforts.