2007 Honorable Mentions

(Listed by State of Legal Residence)

Alabama

Sara J. Mason
University of South Alabama
Major(s): Geology/Biology
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Paleontology. Conduct research and teach classes in paleontology and evolution at a university or work as a museum curator.

Arizona

Shannon N. Siart
College of Wooster
Major(s): Biology
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Biological Oceanography. Conduct research to create effective environmental management policy.

Nicholas P. Tatonetti
Arizona State University
Major(s): Mathematics/Molecular Biology
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Molecular Biosciences. Conduct research in the growing field of pharmacogenomics investigating personalized medicines and treatment technologies.

Arkansas

Adam M. Jacobs
Hendrix College
Major(s): Physics/Computer Science
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Physics. Conduct research on designing intelligent systems such as robots or satellites which will lead the way for human exploration of our solar system.

Neil H. Kopper
Hendrix College
Major(s): Physics
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Physics. Conduct research in mechanical or civil engineering.

California

James S. Fakonas
Northwestern University
Major(s): Materials Science Engineering/Applied Mathematics
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Materials Science/Engineering. Conduct research to design, synthesize and characterize novel electronic materials, and teach at the university level.

Jessica G. Linden Swienckowski
Vassar College
Major(s): Behavioral Neuroscience
Career Goal: M.D./Ph.D. in Neurobiology. Conduct research applying a clinical perspective of neurodegenerative disease and brain injury to research neural plasticity and adult neurogenesis.

Colorado

Donald G. Dressen, II
University of Denver
Major(s): Chemistry/Physics
Career Goal: M.D./Ph.D. in Physics. Conduct research on theoretical and technical obstacles that continue to prevent the actualization of viable nuclear fusion energy.

Laura S. Peterson
Brown University
Major(s): Biophysics
Career Goal: M.D./Ph.D. in Biophysics. Conduct research focused on the development of effective anti-cancer immunotherapies and improving current techniques for gene therapy.

Florida

John C. Bowers
Florida State University
Major(s): Computer Science/Mathematics
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Computer Science. Conduct research to enhance the conversation between computer science and mathematics, and teach at the university level.

Naomi C. Brownstein
University of Central Florida
Major(s): Mathematics/Actuarial Science
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Mathematics. Conduct research in financial mathematics or statistics and computational finance at a major university.

Rachel E. Gillman
Furman University
Major(s): Biology/Sociology
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Conservation Biology. Conduct research to explore and propose constructive policies that promote sustainable development in poverty-striken areas.

Arnav Mehta
Duke University
Major(s): Chemistry/Mathematics
Career Goal: M.D./Ph.D. in Computational Biochemistry. Conduct research in biochemistry and computational biology and their applications to medical science at a research-oriented academic institution.

Daniel D. Orr
Davidson College
Major(s): Mathematics
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Pure Mathematics. Conduct research and teach at the university level.

Keenan G. Pepper
Florida State University
Major(s): Physics/Mathematics
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Physics. Conduct research exploring the possibilities of the new fields of nanotechnology and quantum computing.

Gloria R. Tavera
University of Florida
Major(s): Cognitive Science
Career Goal: M.D./Ph.D. in Neurobiology. Conduct research on the frontier of neuropeptides and their effects on behavior, and lobby for increased research/public access to cures for severe behavioral/neurological disorders.

Jarret A. Weinrich
University of Miami
Major(s): Neuroscience/Chemistry
Career Goal: M.D./Ph.D. in Chemistry/Neurobiology. Conduct research studying the effects of space flight on the human body while working as an astronaut and research scientist with NASA.

Georgia

Owen C. Anderson
Macalester College
Major(s): Computer Science/Mathematics
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Computer Science. Conduct research studying the boundary between computational theory and applied systems, especially in the intricacies of compiler design.

Rodolfo E. Camacho-Aguilera
Georgia Institute of Technology
Major(s): Materials Science Engineering
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Photoelectronics. Conduct research in energy-efficient systems and teach at the university level, and open a company focused on solar cells and cost-efficiency energy devices for rural and urban areas.

Cintia H. Nojima
Georgia Institute of Technology
Major(s): Chemical Engineering/Biomedical Engineering
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering. Conduct research in medical and military defense applications and establish several patents through innovative solutions that save lives, working in industry.

Katharine A. Owers
University of Georgia
Major(s): Biology
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Genetics or Evolutionary Biology. Conduct research at a research university.

Jim Zhong
Emory University
Major(s): Biology
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Molecular Biology. Conduct biomedical research and teach at a major research university.

Idaho

Zachary W. Beech
Northwest Nazarene University
Major(s): Mathematics/Computer Science
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Mathematics/Computational Theory. Conduct mathematical/algorithmic research with a focus on bioinformatics and teach at the university level.

Richard A. Clark
Brigham Young University-Idaho
Major(s): Chemistry
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Nuclear Energy. Conduct research in nuclear energy at a national laboratory.

Maryann K. Watkins
University of Idaho
Major(s): Microbiology
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Epidemiology. Conduct research in epidemiology and transmission ecology of emerging infectious diseases and strategies for controlling major and minor outbreaks of these diseases.

Illinois

Patrice E. Baumhardt
Illinois State University
Major(s): Biological Science
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Marine Biology. Conduct research on how organisms function and survive in the various extreme environments associated with the deep sea.

David E. Grayson
University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign
Major(s): Engineering Physics
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Physics. Conduct research and teach at a major university.

Aarti E. Sharma
University of Illinois at Chicago
Major(s): Chemistry
Career Goal: M.D./Ph.D. in Biochemistry. Conduct molecular research in an experimental laboratory.

Kelly A. Zalocusky
Hendrix College
Major(s): Biology/Psychology
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Biology. Conduct research on ethnobotany and plant ecology to find local, sustainable solutions to maladies affecting developing nations.

Indiana

Matthew R. Perkett
Denison University
Major(s): Physics/Computer Science
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Astrophysics. Conduct research and teach at a university level.

Iowa

Justin G. Bohnet
University of Northern Iowa
Major(s): Physics
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Physics. Conduct research and teach at a university level.

Andrej Lenert
University of Iowa
Major(s): Mechanical Engineering
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Energy/Utilization. Conduct research and teach in academia.

Aashish Manglik
Washington University-Saint Louis
Major(s): Biology
Career Goal: M.D./Ph.D. in Microbiology. Conduct research to understand the basic biology necessary for developing better tools to fight bacterial and viral pathogens, and teach in a university setting.

Kristopher J. Rhodes
Cornell College
Major(s): Geology
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Paleobiology. Conduct research and teach at the college level.

Kyle P. Wardlow
Iowa State University
Major(s): Physics/German
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Physics. Conduct research on high energy or nuclear physics studying primitive forms of matter/extensions to the Standard Model of particle physics, and teach at a major research university.

Kansas

Carl D. Hacker
Case Western Reserve University
Major(s): Biomedical Engineering/Cognitive Science
Career Goal: M.D./Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering. Conduct research in the areas of neural control and clinical applications of neurosurgical methods.

Robert G. Hall
University of Tulsa
Major(s): Physics/Mechanical Engineering
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering. Conduct research in the development of new technology for spacecraft, concentrating in the area of propulsion systems.

Adam C. Luchies
John Brown University
Major(s): Engineering
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Bioengineering. Conduct research focused on medical imaging, specifically neuroimaging, and teach in academia.

Heather M. Owen
University of Kansas
Major(s): Electrical Engineering
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering. Conduct research to develop new medical imaging technology to better aid in the identification and diagnosis of serious illnesses.

Laura A. Stiles
University of Kansas
Major(s): Engineering Physics
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering. Conduct research in spacecraft design and work at NASA in research and development.

Kentucky

Nathaniel C. Blank
Centre College
Major(s): Chemistry/Chemical Physics
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry. Conduct research to develop cost efficient environmentally benign energy technologies and educate youth around the world about energy conservation and sustainable living.

Ronald R. Gilley
Western Kentucky University
Major(s): Biology/Chemistry
Career Goal: M.D./Ph.D. in Biology. Conduct research in neurobiology with specific emphasis on mammalian auditory hair cell regeneration.

Louisiana

Rebecca E. Abbott
Tufts University
Major(s): Mechanical Engineering
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering. Conduct research making important contributions to sports medicine.

Vikram Agarwal
University of Texas at Austin
Major(s): Molecular/Cellular Biology
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Biology. Conduct research in the field of bioinformatics, applying algorithmic concepts of computation to molecular genetics/genomics and teach.

Harold J. Boutté, Jr.
Louisiana State University & Agricultural & Mechanical College
Major(s): Chemistry/Biochemistry
Career Goal: M.D./Ph.D. in Neuropharmacology. Conduct research involving the effects of hormonal activation on insulin resistance in Type 2 diabetics at a leading research university.

Maine

Nicholas B. Tito
University of New England
Major(s): Chemistry
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Chemistry. Conduct research using a fusion of chemical and meterological principles to further the knowledge of Earth’s atmospheric phenomenon at the synoptic and molecular levels.

David A. Welch
University of Maine
Major(s): Chemistry
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Chemistry. Conduct research on the chemical properties of substances studied within the innovative field of nanotechnology and teach at the university level.

Maryland

Timothy M. Adamo
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus
Major(s): Mathematics/Physics
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Mathematics. Conduct research concentrating on differential geometry, unfied field theory and social systems modeling, and teach at a research university.

Lisa M. Bond
University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
Major(s): Biological Science/Chemistry
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Cellular/Molecular Biology. Conduct research investigating the physiological basis of aneuploidy and teach at the university level.

Michael G. Campbell
Loyola College in Maryland
Major(s): Chemistry
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry. Conduct research in the pharmaceutical field.

Peter C. DeMuth
University of Maryland-College Park
Major(s): Chemical Engineering/Biochemistry
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Biochemistry. Conduct research in the area of applied biochemistry and chemical engineering, specifically the use of nanotechnology in medical applications/other aspects of biotechnology.

Mark R. Layer
University of Maryland-College Park
Major(s): Chemistry/Biology
Career Goal: M.D./Ph.D. in Biochemistry/Pathology. Conduct research investigating new treatment options and drug delivery methods against cancer in a major academic hospital.

David A. McGady
University of Maryland-College Park
Major(s): Physics
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Physics. Conduct research on theoretical physics, specifically phenomenology, and teach at a major research university.

Silpa Poola-Kella
University of Maryland-Baltimore County
Major(s): Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Career Goal: M.D./Ph.D. in Cellular Biology. Conduct research investigating biomarkers of cancer and utilizing basic research to develop novel cancer therapies at a medical school.

Massachusetts

John P. Barrett
University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Major(s): Physics/Mathematics
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Nuclear and/or Plasma Physics. Conduct research leading to the development of nuclear fusion based energy sources at a leading institution.

Charles A. Gammal, III
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Major(s): Electrical & Computer Engineering/Mechanical Engineering
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Electrical/Computer Engineering. Conduct research in the area of bioinstrumentation and teach at the university level.

David T. Jackson
Brown University
Major(s): Physics
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Physics. Conduct research to advance the understanding of the brain by creating and testing theories of how neurons behave in parallel networks.

Julia A. Kalow
Columbia University
Major(s): Chemistry
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry. Conduct research in synthetic and mechanistic organic chemistry and teach at the university level.

Meghan E. Ramsey
Williams College
Major(s): Biology/English
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Molecular Biology. Conduct research focused on infectious diseases such as cholera and the study of microbial interactions in general, and teach at a major research university.

Michigan

Sarah C. Hofman
Calvin College
Major(s): Biology/Spanish
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Genetics. Conduct research on tropical diseases that plague mainly developing countries of the world, and pursue research concerning water supply sanitation and public health.

Marlie A. Johnson
Hope College
Major(s): Biology
Career Goal: M.D./Ph.D. in Veterinary Medicine. Conduct research with production animals in the veterinary field.

Sereres C. Johnston
Andrews University
Major(s): Physics/Mathematics
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Physics. Conduct research in experimental nuclear physics with an emphasis on hadron-nucleus and nucleus-nucleus interactions, and teach at the university level.

Martha E. Precup
Hope College
Major(s): Mathematics
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Mathematics. Conduct research and communicate ideas and concepts involed in mathematics to other students.

Bartholomew P. Roland
Central Michigan University
Major(s): Neuroscience
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Neuroscience. Conduct research that will make a significant and lasting scientific contribution to the world.

Minnesota

Kent E. Bodurtha
Augsburg College
Major(s): Physics
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Physics. Conduct research at either a university or a government-funded institution.

Katie A. Holzer
Lewis and Clark College
Major(s): Biology
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Biomechanics. Conduct research and teach at a college or university.

Lauren M. Kunz
Saint Olaf College
Major(s): Chemistry/Mathematics
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry. Conduct research focusing on implementing and/or strengthening the role of green chemistry within the chemistry department’s curriculum, and teach at a small undergraduate college or university.

Reid B. Larson
Augsburg College
Major(s): Physics
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Engineering. Conduct research in alternative energy or space physics in industry or academia.

Rishi V. Puram
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Major(s): Biology/Chemistry
Career Goal: M.D./Ph.D. in Biology/Chemistry. Conduct research to further understand the biology of human cancers and the development of novel therapies at an academic institution, and teach at the university level.

Caitlin C. Sanstead
Iona College
Major(s): Chemistry/Biology
Career Goal: M.D./Ph.D. in Biology. Conduct cancer research.

Mississippi

Lauren N. Caviezel
University of Southern Mississippi
Major(s): Biological Science
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Biological Sciences. Conduct research on both behavior and conservation genetics of endangered species in a zoological setting.

Andrea G. Marshall
University of Southern Mississippi
Major(s): Chemistry/ACS Biochemistry
Career Goal: M.D./Ph.D. in Biochemistry. Conduct research on cancer for a government agency such as NIH.

Montana

Clark J. Kogan
University of Montana – Missoula
Major(s): Physics/Mathematics
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Mathematics. Conduct research to include teaching a computer to solve physics problems and design electronic circuits.

Ryan P. Kovach
University of Montana – Missoula
Major(s): Wildlife Biology
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Fisheries Biology. Conduct research on native salmonid species and the variety of factors that are currently threatening their persistance and changing their present distributions.

Nebraska

Carolyn L. Posey
Creighton University
Major(s): Physics/Mathematics
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Optics. Conduct research for the development of technical equipment experimental work with an emphasis on imaging and optical devices in industry or a national laboratory.

Nevada

Rachel W. Tsui
Boston University
Major(s): Chemistry/Mathematics
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Biochemistry. Conduct medicinal or pharmaceutical research in genetic diseases that affect protein structure such as PKU.

New Jersey

Elizabeth A. Brown
Lehigh University
Major(s): Biochemistry
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Biochemistry. Conduct research to advance understanding of paleo-anthropology in academia.

Meghan A. Feely
Dartmouth College
Major(s): Biophysical Chemistry/History
Career Goal: M.D./Ph.D. in Genetics. Conduct research to better understand the genetic abnormalities that cause cancerous disorders and to prescribe the most effective immunological treatments to correct them.

Philip B. Graff
University of Maryland-Baltimore County
Major(s): Physics/Mathematics
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Particle Physics. Conduct research in theoretical or experimental particle physics at a research institution or university.

Michael A. Hayoun
Rutgers University-New Brunswick
Major(s): Cell Biology/Neuroscience and Behavior
Career Goal: M.D./Ph.D. in Neuroscience. Conduct research studying the molecular biology of behavioral disorders, specifically autism, schizophrenia, and learning disorders in humans.

Xiaojing Huang
Princeton University
Major(s): Chemistry
Career Goal: M.D./Ph.D. in Biological Chemistry. Conduct research that focuses on elucidating the molecular mechanisms of disease and on developing new drug-based treatment options in an academic or government lab.

Robert S. McIsaac
Rice University
Major(s): Physics/Mathematics
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Physics. Conduct research in the fundamental and sociental importance of condensed matter physics and teach in academia.

David H. Newby, Jr.
Drew University
Major(s): Physics
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Physics. Conduct research and teach at the university level.

Matthew V. Paragano
Stevens Institute of Technology
Major(s): Mechanical Engineering
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering. Conduct research making significant contributions to solve worthwhile problems.

Swarup S. Swaminathan
Columbia University
Major(s): Biochemistry
Career Goal: M.D./Ph.D. in Biochemistry. Conduct research studying membrane proteins at an acclaimed medical school.

Lucas J. Willis
Rowan University
Major(s): Physics/Mathematics
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Atomic Physics. Conduct research in the field of ultracold Rydberg gases at a national lab or university.

Tina Wong
Williams College
Major(s): Biology
Career Goal: M.D./Ph.D. in Neuroscience. Conduct research to study the underlying mechanisms behind central nervous system regeneration in different model systems.

Nitin K. Yerram
Virginia Commonwealth University
Major(s): Chemistry
Career Goal: M.D./Ph.D. in Chemical Science. Conduct cancer research with a special emphasis on leukemia in an academic setting.

New Mexico

Camille I. Petersen
Tufts University
Major(s): Biochemistry
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Biochemistry. Conduct research in the dental field while advancing research in the beneficial environment of the clinical setting.

Brenton S. Taft
New Mexico State University
Major(s): Mechanical Engineering
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering. Conduct research in the area of aerospace thermal/fluid engineering at one of the national or DoD laboratories.

Samuel J. Vidal
Haverford College
Major(s): Chemistry/Biochemistry
Career Goal: M.D./Ph.D. in Genetics/Biochemistry. Conduct research and develop treatment for an important human disease either in an academic or industrial institution.

New York

Gregory M. Amend
Furman University
Major(s): Chemistry
Career Goal: M.D./Ph.D. in Oncology. Conduct cancer research at a cancer research center.

Andrew F. DeBlase
Marist College
Major(s): Chemistry
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry. Conduct research integrating theoretical and experimental techniques to study the fundamentals of chemical bonding and reaction mechanisms.

Colim T. Kremer
SUNY College at Geneseo
Major(s): Biology/Mathematics
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Computational Biology. Conduct research on the dynamics of ecosystems using applied mathematical and computer science techniques, and teach at an institution.

Kristen L. Lurie
Dartmouth College
Major(s): Engineering
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Electrical/Biomedical Engineering. Conduct research to develop, design and improve novel biomedical devices.

Suraj H. Rambhia
SUNY at Stony Brook
Major(s): Biomedical Engineering
Career Goal: M.D./Ph.D. in Pharmacology/Immunology. Conduct translational research focusing on drug/protein interactions to aid with the development of small molecules as therapeutics in various pathological scenarios.

Rohit T. Repala
SUNY at Stony Brook
Major(s): Biochemistry
Career Goal: M.D./Ph.D. in Biochemistry. Conduct research and teach at the university level.

Rachel S. Sealfon
Princeton University
Major(s): Computer Science
Career Goal: M.D./Ph.D. in Bioinformatics. Conduct research using computational and mathematical approaches.

Andrew J. Varble
Rochester Institute of Technology
Major(s): Biotechnology
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Virology. Conduct cutting edge research that can be directly applied to a challenge facing society.

North Carolina

Amy R. Harless
University of North Carolina-Asheville
Major(s): Atmospheric Science
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Meteorology. Conduct research along with becoming a forecaster for the National Weather Service and work toward becoming the Warning Coordination Meteorologist.

Caitlyn G. Whitten
Agnes Scott College
Major(s): Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Neuropharmacology. Conduct research on autism treatment either in the context of a large pharmaceutical company or in a university setting.

Brittany D. Wright
Eckerd College
Major(s): Marine Science/Environmental Studies
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Chemical Oceanography. Conduct research on the global carbon cycle’s effect on climate change and the effects of an increase in C02 on the Earth’s oceans, working for a government agency or academia.

Ohio

Jennifer L. Bergner
Bowling Green State University
Major(s): Biological Science
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Animal Behavior. Conduct research in the study of animal behavior incorporating both proximate (mechanistic) and ultimate (ecological and evolutionary) experiments.

Andrew J. Homan
Ohio Northern University
Major(s): Mathematics/Philosophy
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Mathematics. Conduct research on the complex interactions between mathematical logic and physics, insofar as mathematics is used as a language to describe the laws of physics, and teach graduate-level math logic.

Megan E. Meuti
Ohio State University
Major(s): Entomology/Microbiology
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Entomology. Conduct research focusing on the interactions between insects and microbes, and teach at the university level.

Jennifer M. Schieltz
Washington and Lee University
Major(s): Biology/French
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Ecology/Conservation. Conduct research with an organization or agency involved in conservation or at an academic institution.

Max R. Schroeder
Ohio Wesleyan University
Major(s): Microbiology
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Microbiology. Conduct research in microbiology and teach in academia, inspiring a new generation of students.

Olivia Twu
Ohio State University
Major(s): Biochemistry
Career Goal: M.D./Ph.D. in Biochemistry. Conduct translational research to bridge the disconnect between the lab and clinical setting, focusing on the role of proteins in infectious disease or cancer.

Lauren M. Woods
Ohio Wesleyan University
Major(s): Zoology
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Ecology. Conduct research and teach at the university level.

Oklahoma

Zachary N. Donnell
University of Arkansas-Main Campus
Major(s): Biophysical Chemistry/Biology
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Molecular Cell Biology. Conduct research at a university to bring science to a broader community.

Oregon

Anne B. Cherry
Oberlin College
Major(s): Biology/Neuroscience
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Neuroscience. Conduct research on treatments for neurological pathologies such as stroke, and teach in a university setting.

Jacob T. Luty
University of Portland
Major(s): Biology
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Molecular or Medical Genetics. Conduct research on the molecular basis of genetic diseases in an effort to improve diagnosis and treatment of such disorders.

Tony A. Rianprakaisang
Oregon State University
Major(s): Biochemistry/Biophysics
Career Goal: M.D./Ph.D. in Toxicology. Conduct research as it relates to humans.

Pennsylvania

Michael F. Chislock
Clarion University of Pennsylvania
Major(s): Ecology/Evolutionary Biology
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Acquatic Ecology. Conduct ecological research and teach at the university level.

Scott B. Crown
Lafayette College
Major(s): Chemical Engineering
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Biochemical Engineering. Conduct research on colloidal and interfacial science at a research university or in the phamaceutical industry.

George A. Khoury
Pennsylvania State University-University Park
Major(s): Chemical Engineering
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering. Conduct research on the thermodynamics/kinetics of combustion engines and fuel-cells to make a pollution vacuum capable of removing pollutant gases in the air at a major research university.

Justin T. Schultz
Juniata College
Major(s): Physics/Mathematics
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Physics. Conduct research and development of underlying theories either in industry or the government.

Christine M. Wroge
Mount Saint Mary’s University
Major(s): Biochemistry
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Neuroscience. Conduct research in a university setting.

Rhode Island

Rosalinda K. Fortier
University of Rhode Island
Major(s): Physics/Applied Mathematics
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Physics. Conduct practical and theoretical research and teach at an academic institution.

South Carolina

Jordan M. Casey
Sewanee: The University of the South
Major(s): Environmental Studies/Spanish
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Conservation Biology/Ecology. Conduct research on the effects of exurbanization on biodiversity to determine the most delibitating environmental stresses resulting from the expansion of suburbs.

April M. Clayton
Erskine College
Major(s): Biology/Chemistry
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Microbiology. Conduct research on the biochemical and cellular mechanisms used by microbes to cause disease while teaching at the university level.

Bradley J. Collins
Clemson University
Major(s): Computer Engineering
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Computer Engineering. Conduct research focusing on the field of communications and networks at a major university.

Xiaoyi Zhang
University of South Carolina-Columbia
Major(s): Biological Science
Career Goal: M.D./Ph.D. in Immunology. Conduct research related to autoimmune disorders at a major research university.

South Dakota

Vanessa P. Cheesbrough
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Major(s): Astrophysics/Physics
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Astrophysics. Conduct research either at a university or in a government group such as NASA.

Tennessee

James E. Bevins
University of Tennessee
Major(s): Nuclear Engineering
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering. Conduct research toward the advancement of nuclear power for propulsion and energy generation in space missions.

Robert T. Zellem
Villanova University
Major(s): Astronomy/Astrophysics
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Astronomy/Astrophysics. Conduct research while working for NASA.

Texas

Tiffany Y. Hsu
Baylor University
Major(s): Biology/Neuroscience
Career Goal: M.D./Ph.D. in Neuroscience. Conduct research in stem cell biology and work towards a treatment for neurodegenerative diseases and neurological disorders like epilepsy.

Jason M. Knight
Texas A & M University
Major(s): Biomedical Engineering
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering. Conduct research pushing the boundaries between biological and electrical systems through furthered interface technologies which include neuron-electrode interfaces.

Whitney A. McCarthy
Trinity University
Major(s): Biology
Career Goal: M.D./Ph.D. in Biology. Conduct biomedical research integrating immunogenetics and pathology.

Steven J. Petsche
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Major(s): Biomedical Engineering
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Biomechanical Engineering. Conduct research in the designing of human artificial limbs that could be used for various sports.

Asher S. Philip
University of Texas at Austin
Major(s): Physics
Career Goal: M.D./Ph.D in Biophysics. Conduct research investigating the mechanisms by which cancerous cells interact with the body’s immune system in an academic or medical institution.

Phuongmai N. Truong
Texas A & M University
Major(s): Physics/Mathematics
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Physics. Conduct research on high energy astrophysics and cosmology, and teach at the university level.

Utah

Raffaela M. Abbriano
University of San Diego
Major(s): Biology
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Biology. Conduct research involving animal health focused on exotic animals and wildlife.

Robert J. Rawle
Pomona College
Major(s): Chemistry
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Chemical Biology. Conduct research in the field of chemical biology at a college or university level.

Michelle Reed
University of Utah
Major(s): Biology
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Biology. Conduct academic research.

Misty R. Riddle
Westminster College
Major(s): Biology
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Molecular Genetics. Conduct research in the field of molecular genetics, addressing many significant scientific questions.

Dallas S. Shi
University of Southern California
Major(s): Biology
Career Goal: M.D./Ph.D. in Pediatrics. Conduct research on gene therapy as a means to treat muscular dystrophy.

Jodie A. Tvedtnes
Utah State University
Major(s): Physics
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Atmospheric Physics. Conduct research in atmospheric physics in order to explain phenomena in the upper atmosphere, specifically in the mesospheric region.

Virginia

Tyler R. Ray
University of South Carolina-Columbia
Major(s): Mechanical Engineering
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering. Conduct research in the fields of materials science/nanotechnology to develop new nanomaterials and teach at a research university.

Daniel J. Zabransky
College of William and Mary
Major(s): Biology
Career Goal: M.D./Ph.D. in Biology. Conduct clinical research studying the structure of proteins, viruses and cancer cells, and develop structurally-based treatments for diseases.

Washington

Laura H. Backus
Colorado State University
Major(s): Biology
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Veterinary Epidemiology. Conduct research focusing on zoonotic diseases and animal diseases that are relevant to human welfare in a university or government setting such as the Centers for Disease Control.

Samuel A. Burden
University of Washington
Major(s): Electrical Engineering
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering. Conduct research on robotic devices, developing the theoretical foundations for the design and control of these machines.

Tamara L. Carley
Whitman College
Major(s): Geology/Environmental Studies
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Geology. Conduct research monitoring volcanic activity and collaborate with at-risk communities to develop volcanic hazard education programs, implement hazard mitigation practices/establish effective warning systems.

Michael H. Duyzend
Carleton College
Major(s): Chemistry/Mathematics
Career Goal: M.D./Ph.D. in Bioinformatics/Infectious Diseases. Conduct research on those largely neglected diseases that afflict the poorest parts of the world.

Kathleen E. Engeln
University of Hawaii-Manoa
Major(s): Biology/Japanese
Career Goal: M.D./Ph.D. in Neuroscience. Conduct biomedical research with an emphasis on translational research and clinical applications.

Elizabeth L. Tyson
Seattle University
Major(s): Chemistry
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry. Conduct research on novel and green synthetic approaches to organic chemistry either within academia or industry.

West Virginia

Anna C. Fedders
Wake Forest University
Major(s): Chemistry
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Ethnopharmacology. Conduct research studying the chemistry of botanical medicines used by indigenous people, and instilling in students a respect for and desire to conserve the environment in an academic setting.

Robert H. Leonard
West Virginia University
Major(s): Mathematics/Physics
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Computational Physics. Conduct research in quantum hydrodynamics or condensed matter physics while working in academia.

Wisconsin

Kevin T. Beier
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Major(s): Biochemistry/Neurobiology
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Biochemistry. Conduct research that will make the greatest contribution to the common good, specifically regarding biochemical studies of the brain or of cancer/cellular mechanisms related to disease.

Joseph W. Dubis
University of Saint Thomas
Major(s): Biology
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Neuroscience. Conduct research in the functional systems of the human brain.

Cole T. Edwards
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Major(s): Geology
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Economic Geology. Conduct research on important problems associated with economic geology and contribute to the better understanding of processes associated with the formation of economic deposits in academia.

Michael R. Line
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Major(s): Physics/Astronomy
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Astrophysics. Conduct research and teach at a major university or work for NASA engaging in planetary science research with the ultimate goal of participating in the manned space program.

Jonathan D. Simpkins
Trinity University
Major(s): Engineering Science
Career Goal: Ph.D. in Robotics Engineering. Conduct research with specialization in the development of military applications.