Scholarships Archives - ��Ƶ & Sciences

Four CAS Students Receive Prestigious Goldwater Scholarship

Hayden Frye — Mon, 15 Apr 2024 14:03:35 +0000

Four students in the ��Ƶ & Sciences were named 2024 Goldwater Scholars — Dua Mobin (C’25), Giselle Rasquinha (C’25), Morgan Rice (C’25) and Jonathan Riess (C’25).

One of the most prestigious awards for undergraduates in science, technology, engineering and math, the Goldwater Scholarship is given to support and cultivate the next generation of scientists, researchers and engineers. Established by Congress in 1986, the fund provides up to $7,500 to sophomores and juniors for up to two years.

“This is an indicator of the outstanding undergraduate research being done across majors here at Georgetown and how truly transformational the mentorship process is for applicants,” said Bill Cessato, deputy director of the Center for Research & Fellowships. “My colleagues and I congratulate the four recipients this year, their professors, and their mentors.”

This is the second time in the past three Goldwater application cycles that all four Georgetown nominees were selected for this honor.

Dua Mobin

Dua Mobin (C’25), a double major in biology of global health and government.

Dua Mobin (C’25) is excited to pursue a medical career that bridges laboratory research, clinical application and healthcare policy to reach underserved minority populations. After finishing her studies at Georgetown, Mobin, a double major in biology of global health and government, hopes to become a physician-scientist.

“As a first-generation, low-income student my experiences with the medical system have shaped both my academic interests and professional aspirations,” Mobin said. “I plan to become a physician-scientist so that I can translate laboratory research into real-world treatments that cater to minority populations.”

Mobin, who’s Muslim, has visited clinics and doctor’s offices with family members from a young age and seen firsthand how disparities in the American healthcare system manifest.

“As a physician, I want to work with and serve patients from minority populations,” said Mobin. “As a scientist, I want those same clinical interactions to guide my laboratory research and potential novel treatments that can serve groups currently on the periphery of the medical system.”

Her life experiences inspire her to be a physician-scientist that integrates socioeconomic, religious and cultural factors into care and innovates treatments to meet the realities of underrepresented patients.

“I plan to pursue research in tumor biology that focuses on microscopy,” said Mobin. “I’m interested in creating therapeutics tailored to minorities, treating patients and advocating to implement new cancer treatments in underserved areas.”

On campus, Mobin is actively involved in both laboratory research and emergency care. As a research assistant in the , housed within Georgetown’s , Mobin studies the biophysics of cancer cell proliferation across underrepresented populations.

“During this upcoming year as a Goldwater Scholar, Dua will be studying how differences in the metabolism of amino acids may underlie health disparities in invasive lobular breast cancer,” said , an associate professor of oncology in the School of Medicine. “Dua’s intellectual curiosity and passion for improving the lives of people with breast cancer in an inclusive way is a joy to see.”

Already, Mobin has worked with Riggins to study molecular markers that are overexpressed in certain populations and are associated with larger tumor size.

“My work in the Riggins Lab illustrates that treatment targeting cancers with specific genetic profiles may be more effective than the status quo,” said Mobin. “This research helps address health disparities by performing experiments to understand how the molecular underpinnings of cancer may differ across races.”

In addition to her research, Mobin has worked as Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for Georgetown Emergency Response Medical Services (GERMS). Her time in GERMS has impacted how she views the patient-clinician relationship.

“During shifts, I see patients undergo some of their most vulnerable moments and am amazed

by their trust in their clinicians,” said Mobin. “Working as an EMT, I improved my clinical skills while administering life-saving medication, but I also learned to treat patients with the utmost empathy as I assist them during their most vulnerable moments.”

Her research, coursework and emergency care work have all combined to prepare Mobin for the next step.

“As I observe gaps in patient outcomes due to the lack of treatment available for minority populations, my research inspires me to pursue a medical career to both care for patients and use those interactions to guide my research, creating more effective treatments for patients from communities like the ones I came from.”

“Winning the Goldwater has been one of the biggest honors of my Georgetown experience,” Mobin said. “Coming to Georgetown, this was something that I never imagined I could have achieved. This would not be possible without the support and guidance of my mentors Adrian Kalaw (C’23), Rebecca Riggins, and .”&�Բ��;

Giselle Rasquinha

Giselle Rasquinha (C’25), a biology major.

Giselle Rasquinha (C’25) plans to use the award to continue pursuing research opportunities related to virology.

“My work has shown me that microscopic pathogens can shape the world in complex ways,” said Rasquinha, a biology major. “My ultimate career goal is to be at the forefront of understanding and eliminating persistent and re-emerging viruses.”

Last summer, Rasquinha worked in Dennis Ko’s lab, which is housed within the Duke University School of Medicine, investigating the relationship between genetics and susceptibility to the Zika virus. The virus, which is primarily spread by mosquitoes, can trigger autoimmune disorders and, when infected women are pregnant, can lead to birth defects.

“Although it is common knowledge that genetically diverse individuals can interact with pathogens differently, I had never applied this to my research before; it was incredible to be able to integrate this into my understanding of disease and infectivity,” said Rasquinha. “I am inspired by how our strategies for fighting disease can evolve with our progressive understanding of human diversity.

A global risk, the most severe outcomes associated with Zika virus outbreaks disproportionately affect those on the peripheries of society. For Rasquinha, pursuing research in virology carries an impetus to ensure equitable public health policies and outcomes.

“Foundationally, there seems to be a lack of scientific research that is inclusive of different demographics, such as failing to account for large discrepancies in disease rates in communities of color,” said Rasquinha.“I would like to conduct research that considers the biological and social diversity that may drive different disease outcomes for different populations.”

In addition to her work in Dennis Ko’s lab, Rasquinha has pursued research opportunities in the Casey Lab, which is housed within the Georgetown University Medical Center, and the New York Blood Center. With John Casey, an associate professor of microbiology & immunology in the School of Medicine, Giselle is working to develop therapies for the hepatitis delta virus, a liver disease caused by the eponymous viral infection.

“Based on her work in the lab, It is clear to me that Giselle has the scientific awareness, focus, commitment and perseverance necessary to succeed,” said Casey. “She consistently asks questions to make sure she understands the scientific and technical bases for our approach and follows up with more detailed probing questions about the underlying science.”

Outside of the classroom and the lab, Rasquinha has a passion for science communication, contributing articles to The Hoya’s science section. She served as the Georgetown delegate at the National Undergraduate Consortium for Science Journalism. Her ultimate aim is to pursue a dual M.D./Ph.D. and run her own lab.

“Disease is more than molecular biology; it is widely impacted by a variety of fields, including public health, medical practices and sociology,” said Rasquinha. “In a world where these disciplines are rapidly developing, I want to apply this diverse network of knowledge to the forefront of the fight against disease.”

Morgan Rice

Morgan Rice (C’25), a biochemistry major.

Cancer researcher Morgan Rice (C’25) is excited to continue investigating metastasis in both laboratory and clinical settings.

“I am hoping to expand my research in order to better understand the mechanisms underlying cancer cell metastasis in an attempt to research new drugs that could inhibit pathways of metastasis,” said Rice, a biochemistry major. “By combining both clinical and research experience in the field of cancer, I will have a better understanding of the entire field of cancer biology,” said Rice.

After finishing her undergraduate degree at Georgetown, Rice hopes to pursue a dual M.D./Ph.D.

“All cancer treatments rely on both research and studies to prove that it will do what it’s intended for, and this is where the fields of M.D. and Ph.D, meet,” said Rice. “By receiving both degrees, it will allow me to be in the middle, working on clinical research while still being able to work directly with patients, and therefore allowing for a more expansive approach to research.”&�Բ��;

On campus, Rice works as an undergraduate research assistant in the .

“I was drawn to the Braselmann lab for their work in live cell RNA imaging because it felt relevant to the medicine I was interested in,” said Rice. “I had previously learned about cellular dynamics and mechanisms in my science classes, but they were always very general and nonspecific when it came to irregular cellular processes.”&�Բ��;

“I realized that the field of RNA dynamics overlaps significantly with cancer research, and I knew that by beginning my research career early, I could begin to build a project that would have an impact.”

Run by Esther Braselmann, the Clare Boothe Luce Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry, the lab’s team investigates biochemistry in living cells. Since joining the Braselmann lab, Rice has worked closely with graduate students and contributed to a peer-reviewed publication in Biophysical Reports.

“I have no doubt that Morgan has a bright future as a leader in research in front of her and I am delighted to follow her career in the years to come,” said Braselmann.

Last year, Rice received a Clare Boothe Luce scholarship, which is awarded to high-achieving undergraduate women pursuing degrees in science, math and engineering. This award helped fund her summer research with additional funds coming from the Center for Research & Fellowships’ .

Jonathan Riess

Jonathan Riess (C’25), a double major in physics and mathematics.

Jonathan Riess (C’25) is excited to continue exploring the fascinating world of mathematics and theoretical physics as a Goldwater Scholar.

“My research interests are holographic duality and string theory, using setups with extra dimensions to study physics beyond the Standard Model of particle physics, including quantum gravity and the string landscape, or nonperturbative phenomena in QCD,” said Riess. “I find these topics interesting because they are personally fulfilling and provide deep philosophical answers to questions about the origins and the fundamental constituents of the universe.”

Riess’ on-campus research journey started in the lab of , McDevitt Chair in Physics, where he worked on nanowire foams for submicron particulate filtration. These foams can be used in a variety of applications, such as face masks, and present a competitive, reusable and environmentally friendly alternative to current N95 masks. The research team was selected as a Phase 1 Winner and Phase 2 Finalist in the .

“Jonathan helped us look into some novel applications of the foams”, said Liu. “It was fun having him on our team, and we continue to push forward in those research directions”.

Riess has also worked with Hovhannes Grigoryan, an adjunct professor in the . His research with Grigoryan focused on studying strongly interacting superconducting systems using methods from holographic duality and numerical simulations.

“Holographic duality allows us to study physical phenomena where our conventional methods fail by relating a theory that is relatively easy to study to a relatively difficult one,” said Riess. “It has a rather nice philosophical interpretation, telling us that there is not a unique perspective or description of nature, but rather many dual descriptions of reality.”&�Բ��;

A double major in physics and mathematics, Riess has also worked with , chair of the Department of Mathematics & Statistics. With Eller, Riess helped organize the , where he lectured on semigroups methods for solving partial differential equations. He has also worked closely with , the McDevitt Chair in Mathematics and Computer Science, under whose supervision he plans on completing his undergraduate thesis.

Most recently, Riess has worked with Ragnar Stroberg, an assistant professor at the University of Notre Dame, in the area of theoretical nuclear physics. Together, they investigated potential issues with the Standard Model of particle physics, namely CKM Unitarity violations. With the support of Georgetown’s Department of Physics, Riess presented this research at one of largest nuclear physics conferences in the United States – the DNP-APS 2023 conference.

Rising sophomores (Class of 2027) and juniors (Class of 2026) interested in advising and applying for nomination for the Goldwater Scholarship should visit the for details about the upcoming application cycle.

Two College Students Named Goldwater Scholars

Two students in the ��Ƶ & Sciences — Naomi Greenberg (C’24) and Roma Dhingra (C’24) — were named 2023 Goldwater Scholars.

Read 2023 Goldwater Scholars Story

Kai Liu Elected Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors

The National Academy of Inventors (NAI) has elected Kai Liu, a physicist and materials scientist, to its 2022 class of Fellows.

Read Full Story

Conflict Researcher Vicka Heidt (C’24) Receives Gates Cambridge Scholarship

Hayden Frye — Wed, 13 Mar 2024 21:16:54 +0000

Vicka Heidt (C’24), a Georgetown senior and Russian-American researcher of peacebuilding and conflict resolution, has won a Gates Cambridge Scholarship, a competitive and prestigious international prize that provides recipients with a full-ride to the University of Cambridge to pursue a postgraduate degree.

Heidt is one of just 26 scholars from the United States to receive the scholarship. Established in 2000 with a $210 million gift from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the scholarship selects promising young people from around the world who demonstrate outstanding intellectual ability, a commitment to improving the lives of others and leadership potential.

At Cambridge, Heidt will pursue a Master of Philosophy in development studies. She is interested in how global institutions can integrate victim-centered, trauma-informed support systems in post-conflict situations. Specifically, Heidt plans to research how international law can support gender equality and development in Sudan.

People-Focused Post-Conflict Solutions

Vicka Heidt (C’24) in front of Healy Hall with fellow Global Irish Studies Fellows. As a fellow, Heidt is examining modes for alternative justice that respond to increasing levels of domestic violence and broader gender equity in Northern Ireland.

“Georgetown has pushed me to think critically about the most vulnerable people in global society and my role in the interlocking fields of development and peacebuilding,” Heidt said. “My coursework in peace and conflict studies exposed that the need for development is most dire in states which are experiencing active conflict or have recently emerged from conflict.”

As an undergraduate, Heidt has already been probing questions of conflict and healing inside the classroom and out in the wider world. Last summer, Heidt supported Just Grace, a non-profit located in Cape Town, South Africa that promotes community development in Langa Township.

“Working on the ground in the post-apartheid state, I was able to see how interdisciplinary development mechanisms counteracted the deficit,” said Heidt. “I observed how this community-based organization equipped individuals with professional skills – providing barista training or interview preparation directly contributed to hundreds of new jobs.”

Heidt is interested in deploying people-focused development mechanisms in other post-conflict areas around the world.

“I seek to support development initiatives, such as those in Cape Town, in conflicted and

post-conflict states,” said Heidt. “The Gates Cambridge Scholarship will allow me to gather a macro understanding of international development as well as build my technical skills.”

Personal Passion for Peacebuilding

Vicka Heidt (C’24) with her mother in front of the Capitol.

“My passion for sustainable peacebuilding in post-conflict settings stems from being raised in an intergenerational, Russian-American household,” said Heidt. “Witnessing the consequences of unredressed harm following conflict in the Soviet Union drove my desire to study government, justice, and peacebuilding.”

The legacies and after-effects of conflict have animated Heidt’s own life – her late father, a contractor at the Department of Defense, and her mother, a Russian woman, met after the collapse of the Soviet Union. The experiences of her mother and grandmother, who lived in the Soviet Union and later with Heidt’s family, and her own intergenerational trauma, have informed her own academic pursuits.

“My family’s trauma, stemming from their lives in the Soviet Union, shaped their lives—and it shaped mine, too,” she said. “Witnessing my entire family carry these burdens gave me an unshakeable desire to serve people affected by trauma.”

Heidt transferred from William & Mary, where she had been the class president, to Georgetown in 2022. Since arriving on the Hilltop, Heidt, a double major in government and justice and peace studies, has been active in a multitude of classroom and extracurricular settings, investigating questions of conflict resolution, international law and transformative justice.

At Georgetown, Heidt has worked as a research assistant at the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security, where she created the first conflict tracking system in the world with a gendered focus and collected data on the female victims of armed conflict. In 2023, she was granted a fellowship to develop and publish research on gender, violence and transitional justice in Northern Ireland as a research fellow in the Global Irish Studies program.

In her free time, she served as the president of Georgetown University Prison Outreach, where she managed volunteer programs that connect students with incarcerated individuals and helped administer creative writing and GED classes for individuals in DC and Virginia detention facilities.

Heidt has been just as active in the wider world as she has been on the Hilltop. She completed a full-time internship with the Brookings Institution, supporting former U.S. Ambassador Norm Eisen through research and analysis of threats to American democracy, including the legal and political implications of Jan. 6. While there, she contributed to the article, “Detailed Chronology in Trump-Cohen Hush Money Investigation,” published in Just Security, which chronicles the indictment of former President Donald Trump.

“Vicka is not merely an incisive, dedicated and capable legal and policy analyst; she is also a reliable, warm and collaborative person – one who is admired by her peers and her senior colleagues,” said Ambassador Eisen. “I am looking forward to seeing how Vicka uses her razor-sharp research and intellectual skills in her early career and beyond.”

Heidt also worked as the Eurasia Research Fellow at PEN America, where she collected data on imprisoned journalists in Russia and Crimea and aided investigations into the conflict in Ukraine.

“Applying my classroom lessons in governance and justice and peace studies toward supporting real people is the crux of my education,” said Heidt. “The dire effects of neglecting trauma, predominantly felt in conflict responses, have pushed me to advocate trauma-informed lenses to development and peacebuilding.”&�Բ��;

Throughout it all, Heidt has served as a caregiver for her mother, who is in advanced stages of Multiple Sclerosis, her brother, who was recovering from an accident, and her grandmother.

“The fact that Vicka has accomplished so much, more in many cases, than her unencumbered peers, that she has faced the world which has dealt her so hard a hand with so much pluck, that she has risen to every occasion – becoming a caretaker, a survivor, and a champion for those in greatest need – makes her nothing less than a heroine in my eyes,” says Lauren Tuckley, director for the Center of Research and Fellowships.

Heidt one day hopes to be a lawyer and work on issues of transitional and restorative justice.

“Researchers, policymakers, and lawyers work hand-in-hand to respond to international conflicts,” she said. “With a foundation in each of these fields, I will be best equipped to apply an empathetic, victim-centered lens to peacebuilding.”&�Բ��;

$2.8 Million Gift Secures Funding for New First-Gen Fellows Program in ��Ƶ & Sciences

Hayden Frye — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 14:59:29 +0000

A new initiative will make it easier for students who are the first in their families to go to college to navigate the demands of undergraduate university life.

For students in the ��Ƶ & Sciences, the First Fellows Program will provide students with a cohort-based community, academic guidance, faculty mentors, connections to career pathways, and financial support for summer internships and employment opportunities.

“I am overjoyed to announce the First Fellows Program,” said Dean Rosario Ceballo. “The First Fellows program will elevate first-gen students in the ��Ƶ & Sciences, building on their resilience, their commitment to academic excellence, and their sense of belonging as Hoyas.”&�Բ��;

By building upon the strength of the university’s existing programs that support first-generation and limited-income students, including the Community Scholars Program (CSP) and the Georgetown Scholars Program (GSP), the CAS First Fellows Program offers students additional support and access to mentors across our campus.

For first-generation and limited-income students, attaining a college degree is one of the most viable routes to economic and social mobility. But despite an initial wave of support when students arrive on campus, many report feeling socially and academically isolated after their first year.

This new program is made possible through a generous gift of $2.8 million, which will fully fund the program’s first cohort of students.

“We would not be able to make such a transformational impact without the collaboration, vision, and generosity of our alumni donors,” said Dean Ceballo. “The First Fellows Program is arriving at the perfect time. We’re excited to continue fulfilling our mission to care for the whole person and equip every Hoya with the necessary tools for success both inside the classroom and in the wider world.”

All first-generation students in the ��Ƶ & Sciences first-year class will be invited to join the First Fellows Program, for a program launch in fall of 2024

Ning Bao (C’20) Wins Scholarship to Study Global Affairs in Beijing

Lynn Delles — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 19:54:53 +0000

Bao, a political economy major from Zhejiang Province in China, wants to build bridges between China and the Middle East.

Social Justice Advocate, Prize Winner to Address Incoming Class of First-Year Students

Lynn Delles — Mon, 19 Aug 2019 18:34:10 +0000

Omoyele Okunola (C’20), 2019 McTighe Prize winner, will advise the incoming Class of 2023 on the importance of advocating for others and self-care during New Student Convocation.

Sociology Major Wins Beinecke Scholarship

Lynn Delles — Wed, 08 May 2019 16:00:33 +0000

May 8, 2019 — Sociology major Orunima Chakraborti (C’20) has won a 2019 , a prestigious award given annually by The Sperry Fund to students who plan on enrolling in an arts, social sciences, or humanities-focused graduate program.

Chakraborti is the second Georgetown College student in three years to win the Beinecke Scholarship, following Annee Lyons (C’18), who is now studying classics at the University of Oxford.

WORKING WITH HUMAN STORIES

Chakraborti is fascinated by the social norms of cultural exchange, the ways we decide as a society when adopting or participating in the traditions of other groups is appropriate, especially within Western countries that are becoming increasingly multicultural.

A Philadelphia and Kansas City native of South Asian descent, Chakraborti is particularly interested in examining the phenomenon of events like , in which multicultural groups of college students put on a South Asian dance performance. She hopes to apply her sociological training to the discussions of cultural appropriation as they relate to these events and others.

“I want to be working with human stories,” she said. “I hope that I can contribute toward research of meaningful social issues of our day, including refugee and asylum issues, cultural appropriation debates, and the sociological interconnection between food and the environment.”

CHANGING MINDS

Issues like these were central to class discussion in “Race, Color, Culture,” which Chakraborti cites as a major influence on her choice of a research question.

“I found myself bringing up topics from class to discuss with the people around me, and not only do I think the class material had a real impact on the way that they thought, it subtly changed the way I thought as well,” she said. “It renewed my faith in the fact that research — especially social science research in these areas — can change minds.”

Chakraborti will spend much of the next year working on a senior thesis in sociology. She hopes to design a qualitative study of Georgetown undergraduates within the mass act of cultural exchange that constitutes Rangila.

“How does the assignment of acceptance and authority differ generationally, along ethnic lines, and negotiated among minority groups?” she asks. “How do these groups themselves reflect on the emergence and formation of cultural exchange norms? Finally, what are participants’ perceptions of whose authority is exercised in this exchange?”

A PATH FOR YOURSELF

Chakraborti picked Georgetown mostly because the campus “just felt right,” along with the opportunities available in a city like Washington D.C. Like many first-year students, she originally lacked a specific career plan beyond a broad interest in international studies. But her major in sociology has helped her develop real career aspirations. She’s now preparing for a career in conducting ethnographic research, either as an academic sociologist or as a professional researcher.

The Beinecke Scholarship provides Chakraborti with an extra degree of financial security on her planned path to a Ph.D. in sociology, as well as an encouraging affirmation of the importance of careers in the arts, social sciences, and humanities.

“I know that my career and future are not guaranteed by this scholarship, but I am so grateful for my research aspirations in sociology to be recognized as worth pursuing,” she said. “I grew up in within an immigrant community that understandably, but sometimes overwhelmingly prioritizes the stability of STEM career paths for their children. This scholarship makes me an example of how it’s possible to carve out a path for yourself in a more untraditional field with support from around you, and for that, I am extremely grateful.”

PEACE AND QUIET

If all that sounds like a lot to handle, fear not for Chakraborti — she has found her own unique method of relaxation. Stop by Dahlgren Chapel, Dahlgren Quadrangle or McNeir Hall on a quiet afternoon and you might find her at it.

“Sitting somewhere and just singing for a good hour has always been one of my favorite ways to de-stress,” she said. “My favorite spots on campus are all places I’ve spent time singing. … These spots bring me some peace and quiet, which is something we all need once in a while in college.”

Meet Rangel Fellowship Winner Bianca Uribe

Lynn Delles — Wed, 21 Nov 2018 20:27:36 +0000

Bianca Uribe (C’18) has received a 2018 , a prestigious two-year, $95,000 award given to only 30 students from universities across the country. We caught up with Bianca to learn more about her research interests, career goals, and favorite parts of her time on the Hilltop.

Name

Bianca Uribe

Hometown

New York City

Major

Minor

Research activity

Received both the Kalorama Fellowship and the Scott MacPherson Stapleton Award.

Developed an independent research project that was conducted internationally in various towns in Peru and domestically in the NYC and DMV areas. The project focused on how Afro-Peruvians (and Afro-Latinos in the US) develop informal systems of healing in response to inadequate health care systems. It was found that health care and treatment can be culturally specific for marginalized communities and how institutions in power need to build cultural competency in order to ensure successful community outreach.

Most influential professors

, , and

Campus and community activities

Student of Color Alliance (SOCA) Co-chair (2015-2016)

Spanish & Portuguese Club – Director of Publicity (2015-2016)

Beeck Center – GU Impacts Fellow in Lima, Peru (2017)

Post-college jobs/accomplishments

I got married on October 13, 2018.

Advice for other students

Don’t feel pressured by other people’s timelines and societal expectations of success. Build your own timeline of success. All that is meant for you will come your way if you are intentional and deliberate in your actions.

How has your curriculum influenced your career plans

As an Anthropology major with a Portuguese minor at Georgetown, I’ve learned that looking outward often helps in understanding what is within. To me, being a Foreign Service Officer means deepening one’s knowledge of other cultures and nations to further understand our own. I was given the opportunity to learn this at Georgetown, an institution that promotes international service through Jesuit values, such as being a “woman or man for others”. There I was able to strengthen my love of studying and apply my learning in both Latin America and Africa.

Life goals

To become a successful, intersectional, thoughtful and critical U.S Diplomat with years of service in Latin America and Africa. And to make my mother proud.

Favorite spot on campus

The ICC. I had most of my classes there and worked for four years at the African Studies Program.

Q & A: Grace Maglieri, Clare Boothe Luce Award Winner

Lynn Delles — Mon, 01 Oct 2018 18:10:25 +0000

October 1, 2018 — Grace Maglieri (C’19) has been awarded both a summer research award and an academic year research scholarship from the Clare Boothe Luce Program, which supports women conducting research in the natural sciences.

Maglieri, a Ridgefield, Conn. native, is the only Georgetown undergraduate to win a 2018 Luce Program award. Four other Georgetown students received Luce Program honors, all graduate students in the Department of Chemistry: Jeneffer England, Dorothy Jones, Taylor Watts, and Jen Werner.

We caught up with Maglieri, who also has a minor in Russian, to discuss her time on the Hilltop, her research on using dyes to identify chemical interactions, and her goals for the future.

How did you find Georgetown?

I found Georgetown during my college search because it had strong programs in the physics and Russian departments. I felt it would be the right environment for me when I visited, and I appreciated the idea of a supportive college community. I was also able to speak with the physics department, and I was eager to learn in that setting.

How did you find out about the CBL Program?

I had been participating in the Georgetown Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (GUROP), and I wished to continue working in my most recent field of research over the summer. Professor Edward Van Keuren, in whose lab I worked, nominated me for the CBL Program as a Clare Boothe Luce Summer Research Scholar to support my continued research over the summer.

During the summer, with the support of Professor Van Keuren and Professor Amy Liu, I received the Clare Boothe Luce Scholarship for 2018-2019. GUROP Director Sonia Jacobson helped by submitting materials and relaying information on the decisions of the Luce Program.

Tell us about your research.

Throughout the summer and this upcoming academic year, I am conducting research in the Van Keuren Lab with Professor Van Keuren. My research uses solvatochromic dyes to calculate parameters of interaction for solvents, polymers, and powders, in order to predict interactions between these chemicals and choose components for optimal dispersion.

How do you expect this award to help your research career?

Thanks to the support of the Clare Boothe Luce Summer Research Scholarship, I was able to continue this research over the summer and through my senior year. By the end of that time, I hope to have a strong foothold in the research, having obtained data that will focus my efforts for my senior thesis. I will have the benefit of a more comprehensive research experience to prepare me for the future.

What are your future plans?

I intend to attend a Ph.D. program in physics and to pursue a career in research.

Scott, Vaughan Named Truman Scholars

Lynn Delles — Fri, 13 Apr 2018 18:38:10 +0000

Amanda Scott (L) and Shakera Vaughan (R), both junior government majors, have been awarded Harry S. Truman Scholarships. (Georgetown University photos)

April 13, 2018 — Amanda Scott (C’19) and Shakera Vaughan (C’19), both Georgetown College government majors and members of the , have been named .

The Truman Scholarships, which contribute $30,000 toward graduate school tuition, are awarded annually to a select group of 50-65 students from across the country who demonstrate exceptional leadership and interest in public service. Melissa Morgan (C’19) was also a finalist for the award.

This marks the second consecutive year that multiple Georgetown students have been named Truman Scholars: each won scholarships last year.

AMANDA SCOTT

Amanda Scott did not take a traditional path to the Hilltop.

Raised in a low-income household in Mobile, Ala. — mostly by her mother, who worked odd jobs to pay the bills — Scott didn’t have a formal education past the fifth grade.

“I was ‘home-schooled,’ but really I was mostly self-taught,” she said.

Scott eventually earned her General Equivalency Degree, then enrolled at in the two-year paralegal studies program. After graduating summa cum laude and setting her sights on four-year schools, she chose Georgetown for its Washington D.C. location, service-oriented mission, and — perhaps most importantly — the Georgetown Scholarship Program.

“I’m a proud member of the Georgetown Scholarship Program,” Scott said. “Some of the best friends I’ve made at Georgetown are GSPers.”

With the support of GSP, Scott dove headfirst into her coursework, focusing on classes on government and history. She specifically credits U.S. history seminars and ’s introduction to journalism class as helping her develop academically.

“These classes helped me hone my research and investigative skills, but they also taught me about myself and my passions, through seeing what I chose to write about when given absolute freedom,” Scott said.

Meanwhile, Scott’s newfound proximity to public service opportunities — a major factor in her decision to apply — began to pay dividends. She interned at the Lawyer’s Committee for Civil Rights, the office of D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, and the Civil Rights Division at the U.S. Department of Justice.

Having experienced poverty growing up, Scott knew she wanted to attend an elite law school, go into public interest law, and advocate for poor and marginalized communities. When she discovered the Truman Scholarship information on Georgetown’s , she knew it could help her achieve her goals.

But for Scott, applying wasn’t just a rational career decision. It was personal.

“I’ve gone through a lot in my life to get to this point and stay here,” she said. “I applied because I wanted to show myself that I am good enough — that people like me are good enough.”

SHAKERA VAUGHAN

Shakera Vaughan, a Richmond, Va. native, also chose Georgetown largely due to the resources the university commits to helping students from all backgrounds thrive, like GSP and the .

“Georgetown not only gave me the financial support to come here, but also gave me the resources to stay here,” she said. “I knew the opportunities in the nation’s capital were endless and I wanted to try and take advantage of what is supposed to be the ‘best four years of my life.’”

Like many first-year students, Vaughan took some time to adjust to college life.

“I didn’t quite feel like I belonged,” she said. “I had experienced imposter syndrome.”

But before long, involvement in campus clubs — particularly — helped her feel more invested in her new home.

“I was given a strong sisterhood of such phenomenal and welcoming women,” Vaughan said. “Not only did I finally feel like I belonged, but I was a part of an organization who really set out to advocate for marginalized groups of people.”

Grounded by her new community, Vaughan flourished on the Hilltop. She joined the and the Baker Scholars, one of Georgetown’s most prestigious undergraduate programs. She became vice president of GUWOC and helped organize the BRAVE Summit, which celebrates Black women and bring their voices to the forefront of conversations.

Vaughan took full advantage of the academic opportunities afforded her, enrolling in courses that helped her explore fascinating new ideas.

“One lesson that I quickly realized was that my professors have so much wisdom to offer in and outside the classroom, and all you had to do was talk to them,” she said. “Classes like ‘Education/Politics/Policymaking,’ taught by Douglas Reed, and ‘Public Housing: Theory and Practice,’ taught by Brian McCabe, have pushed me to think outside of my normal realm.”

For Vaughan — who had already received competitive fellowship offers — the Truman Scholarship represented a life-changing opportunity.

“This scholarship means everything to me, because it makes graduate school an option now, she said. “It brings tears to my eyes knowing that the people who sat on my panel believed in my vision and wanted to help me accomplish this.”

Vaughan hopes to apply to Master’s programs in public administration for the fall of 2019. Wherever she ends up, she knows she’ll keep her roots in mind.

“I am doing all of this for my community back home,” Vaughan said. “Ultimately, it is the city of Richmond that drives me towards my goals.”

— Patrick Curran

About the Truman Scholarship

The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation was created by Congress in 1975 to be the nation’s living memorial to President Harry S. Truman. The Foundation has a mission to select and support the next generation of public service leaders. The Truman award has become one of the most prestigious national scholarships in the United States.

Annually, candidates for the Truman Scholarship go through a rigorous, multi-stage selection process. In 2018, there were 756 candidates for the award nominated by 311 colleges and universities, a record number of institutions. The 194 finalists for the award were interviewed in March and early April at one of sixteen regional selection panels. Fifty-nine new Truman Scholars were selected in 2018. They will receive their awards in a ceremony at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum on Sunday, May 27, 2018.

Recipients of the Truman Scholarship receive a $30,000 scholarship toward graduate school and the opportunity to participate in professional development programming to help prepare them for careers in public service leadership.

Mulcahey Awarded Goldwater Scholarship

Lynn Delles — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 23:48:54 +0000

Biochemistry major Patrick Mulcahey (C’19) has won a Goldwater Scholarship, awarded annually to students excelling in mathematics, engineering, and the natural sciences. (Photo: Melissa Gonzalez C’18)

April 12, 2018 — Georgetown College biochemistry major Patrick Mulcahey (C’19) has been awarded a , a prestigious national scholarship given to students who excel in mathematics, engineering, and the natural sciences.

Jane Donnelly (C’19) and Matthew Park (C’19) were also recognized with honorable mentions from the Goldwater Foundation. This is the first time three of Georgetown’s four annual Goldwater nominees have been chosen as scholarship winners.

Mulcahey’s award marks the second consecutive year — and third year in the last five — that a Georgetown College student has received a Goldwater Scholarship. Ayan Mandal (C’18) won in 2017, and won in 2014.

“There have been points in my time doing research when nothing seems to work, regardless of how many hours I worked or thought about my project,” Mulcahey said. “Sometimes, these difficulties made me question whether a life of research was for me, or whether an M.D./Ph.D. was even reasonable. An award like the Goldwater Scholarship is an incredible reminder that scientific research is indeed my calling and that I’m on the right path to becoming a physician scientist.”

WINNER: PATRICK MULCAHEY

A native of Newtown, Penn., Mulcahey has compiled an impressive research record since arriving on the Hilltop in 2015. He began researching alongside of the in his first semester; by his sophomore year, he started his own research project investigating the properties of zinc oxide nanomaterials.

“This work is but a matter of honest toil and persistence,” Mulcahey said. “I am grateful for people like my parents and my mentor, Dr. Hahm, for helping me keep that in mind even in the most difficult of moments.”

As part of his work in the Hahm lab, Mulcahey assisted in biotechnology research that led to publications in and , and which “could inform biomedical engineers and other medical professionals in the design of biocompatible devices and implants.”

“I am fascinated by the nano-bio interface — where the engineered technologies we make in our laboratories meet the intricacies of living systems,” Mulcahey said. “The problem of incorporating nanotechnology into living systems touches fields from brain mapping to cancer drug delivery to integrated bioelectronics.”

Mulcahey’s drive for intellectual exploration hasn’t been limited to the academic year: The junior has conducted research into sea lamprey neural regeneration at . This summer, he will intern at the .

Like Mandal, Mulcahey hopes to pursue a combination M.D./Ph.D. program after he graduates next year. He anticipates that his chosen specialty of nanomaterials in biotechnology will lead him to work in some of medicine’s most exciting and unexplored frontiers.

“I am most excited about the specific issues — perhaps questions we haven’t even thought to ask yet — that my scientific career will lead me to consider and to try to understand,” Mulcahey said.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: JANE DONNELLY AND MATTHEW PARK

The two students to receive honorable mentions from the Goldwater Foundation have amassed impressive research records of their own.

Jane Donnelly (C’19) majors in biochemistry and minors in French. She has conducted research in Dr. Timothy Warren’s lab on the conversion of nitrite to nitric oxide in biologically important copper-center enzymes.

Like Mulcahey, Donnelly plans to pursue a combination M.D./Ph.D. program. She hopes to continue studying bioinorganic chemistry, particularly its application to neurodegenerative illness.

Matthew Park (C’19), a biological physics major with minors in biology and STIA (science, technology and international affairs), is currently researching cancer immunology in . He has also investigated applications of plant hormones to pancreatic cancer treatment alongside the .

After graduation, Park will attend the , where he received early admission in 2017. He hopes to develop a better understanding of the relationship between genetic abnormalities and cancer and to continue researching immunotherapeutic cancer treatments.

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