Congratulations & good luck to UConn’s Nominees for the prestigious Rhodes, Marshall & Mitchell Scholarship competitions!

Rebecca Scarlett Allen (CLAS: ’15) is an individualized major in Anthropological Health Sciences from Great Falls, VA. Passionate about medical anthropology and emergency medicine, she plans a career in international disaster relief. Her scholastic pursuits have been dedicated to both anthropology and the biological sciences. Her honors thesis, under the direction of Dr. Pamela Erikson in the Department of Anthropology, is examining university stress culture and its effects on student health. She also conducts research in the laboratory of Dr. Joseph LoTurco in the Department of Physiology and Neurobiology. Becca (as she is known) is President and COO of Lambda Alpha National Honor Society for Anthropology and serves as a Study Abroad Ambassador, having relished her time studying in China through the UConn Pharmacy’s Traditional Chinese Medicine summer program in Beijing. She is active in intramural sports (soccer, flag-football, inner tube water polo and softball) and with the UConn Outing Club. When she is home in Virginia, Becca works as a lifeguard at the Water Mine Family Swimmin’ Hole, where she has gained experience in emergency medical rescue. She is also an avid photographer whose work has appeared in the Long River Review and on UConn’s Education Abroad website (see http://beccaallen.smugmug.com for a sample of her amazing photos!). An honors student, member of Alpha Lambda Delta Honors Society, a New England Scholar and Academic Excellence Scholarship recipient, Rebecca Allen is a nominee for both the Rhodes and Marshall Scholarships.

Peter Joseph Larson (CAHNR ’15) is a pathobiology major and aspiring virologist and physician scientist. As an undergraduate researcher in the laboratory of Dr. Paulo Verardi since his freshman year, PJ (as he is known) has contributed to several projects and developed his own research thread around the study of viral vectors. As a University Scholar, he is seeking “to develop viral vectors with synthetic circuitry capable of Boolean logic for oncolytic viral therapies.” In addition, he spent summer 2014 as the Rubin and Sarah Shaps Scholar at Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center working with researchers examining “the mechanism by which secondary bile salts inhibit the pathogenesis of multidrug resistant pathogens.” PJ was named a 2014 Goldwater Scholar for his extensive research experience and outstanding academic record. In addition to his rigorous studies, he is also active on campus, serving each year on Area Council for his residence hall and as a PATH (Peer Allies through Honors) mentor, in addition to working part time for the Pre-Medical/Dental Advising office. An accomplished ballroom dancer, PJ worked his way up from awkward beginner to an instructor and competitor. When he’s home in New Canaan, CT, he works as an EMT and firefighter for the Vista Fire Department in nearby South Salem, NY where he has been named EMT and Rookie of the Year. A former Head of the Magic Department at Belle Haven Camps in Greenwich, PJ continues to perform and teach magic wherever he can. He is an honors student, Babbidge Scholar and recipient of the William H. Allen Scholarship, the James Dewitt Scholarship, A UConn SURF Award, an Academic Excellence Scholarship and, from the New Canaan Community Foundation, a Sapienza Scholarship. Peter Larson is a nominee for both the Rhodes and Marshall Scholarships.

Patrick John Lenehan (CLAS: ’15), from Cheshire, CT, is a molecular and cell biology major and aspiring physician scientist committed to a career advancing cancer research and treatment. Currently, he conducts research as a University Scholar under the guidance of Dr. Barbara Mellone, examining “the role of RNA transcripts in the formation of centromere complexes in drosophila.” He has also served as a research assistant in the lab of Dr. Rajeswari Kasi, studying the use of protein-polymer binding for medical applications. He has worked as a research assistant at the UConn Health Center with Dr. Alireza Shamshirsaz and at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center with Dr. Melanie Collins and is listed on several publications as a result of his lab work. Pat was named a 2014 Goldwater Scholar for his research and stellar academic record. All this and he is also a member of the UConn Men’s Basketball Team. Having tried out for the team as a freshman, he has advanced from practice player to walk-on and now receives an athletic scholarship for his skill and dedication. In 2014, he was named to the American Athletic Conference All-Academic Team. Pat serves on the UConn Student Athletic Advisory Committee, is a founding member of UConn Exercise is Medicine on Campus, and coaches at the Jim Calhoun/Kevin Ollie Basketball camp during the summer. With the team, he has participated in numerous outreach activities, including “Stay Safe Hartford,” a youth basketball program designed to steer kids away from violence in favor of healthy activities like sports. A member of Phi Beta Kappa, Pat is an honors student, a two-time Babbidge scholar and recipient of a UConn SURF award, the Lieutenant Paul L. Drotch Award in Biology and Microbiology, a Presidential Scholars Award and the United Technologies Corporation Academic Scholarship. Pat is a nominee for both the Rhodes and Marshall Scholarships.

Cathleen Mary Lisk (CLAS ’15) is a political science major with a minor in history from Fairfield, CT. An aspiring judge and mock trial maven, Cathleen is passionate about trial law and the criminal justice system. She has served as a research assistant for the Department of Political Science, reviewing and coding state-level Supreme Court opinions regarding freedom of speech and is currently conducting research for her thesis on the effects of personal factors in appellate judges’ rulings in obscenity cases. She has served as an intern for the Milford Superior Court State’s Attorney’s Office, the CT General Assembly, and the Bridgeport Regional Business Council. Related to her interest in history, she also served as a research assistant for Dr. Michael Orwicz (Art and Art History), helping him research and document Civil War photographs for a large-scale exhibit at the Benton Museum of Art. Off campus, she spends time tutoring at Windham High School in nearby Willimantic. On campus, she is a PATH mentor and HIPS (Honors Initiative for Prospective Students) guide and member of the UConn Pre-Law Society. Last spring, she was appointed to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Leadership Board, which is working to create a sense of community and opportunity for students within the college. In addition, Cathleen has appeared in productions through Dramatic PAWS (Producing, Acting, Writing Students) and is a member of the Scared Scriptless improv group. She is active with the UConn Outing Club and an avid skier. An honors student and a member of Pi Sigma Alpha Honors Society and Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, Cathleen is a two-time New England Scholar and a recipient of the Fund for Legal Studies Scholarship and an Academic Excellence Scholarship. She is a nominee for both the Rhodes and Marshall Scholarships.

Julianne Norton (CLAS ’15), from Trumbull, CT, is completing an individualized major in international relations with a concentration in cross-cultural relations and a minor in studio art. Her myriad activities at UConn serve to combine her interests in cultural criticism and theory with art. She aspires to earn a JD and practice art law. As a freshman in the honors program, she received funding as a Holster Scholar for a project that examined postmemory in five generations of her family’s artwork and included original paintings in response to her analysis. Building upon this work, she presented at the U21 International Research Conference in Amsterdam (2013) and has since received a UConn IDEA Grant and a SURF Grant to fund work on her thesis project, a graphic novel. She was also awarded a SHARE Grant in 2013 to work with Kathryn Myers in the Department of Art and Art History, researching Jewish Indian art and culture. She spent time in Israel during her Holster project and later studied abroad in the Czech Republic. On campus, she is active as a UCAELI Volunteer, HIPS Volunteer and event coordinator for the International Relations Association. Julianne was a member of the 2013 Leadership Legacy Experience cohort, through which she was able to work with UConn alumnus and lawyer Jeffrey Ment on a political asylum case, and is a founder and COO of Everybody Arts, a group that provides outreach in the arts on campus and to area schools. Her own art work has been widely acclaimed and has appeared in several galleries across campus. One of her paintings, “Unshaven Rooms,” done in collaboration with Antonio Campelli (SFA ’15) is on permanent display at the Jorgensen Gallery. More of her stunning artwork can be seen on her website: http://juliannenorton.wix.com/julianne. Julianne is a nominee for the Mitchell Scholarship.

Mary Rockett (CLAS ’15), widely known as “Molly,” is political science major, honors student, New England Scholar and University Scholar from Somers, CT. Deeply committed to political engagement, Molly led UConn’s College Democrats to an impressive showing in an off-year election cycle last fall. She has been an intern for both Senator Richard Blumenthal and Representative Joe Courtney in Washington DC, and served as a Nominator at Courtney’s Nominating Convention. Despite her national exposure, Molly believes strongly that political engagement starts at the local level, and she was elected in 2013 to the Somers Board of Education. In high school, she organized a Youth Issues Assembly with Rep. Courtney for her school and, as President of the Somers Gay/Straight Alliance, was an active leader in support of the LGBT community. At the college level, Molly has been a research assistant for Dr. Matthew Singer, examining voting behavior in Latin America, and was awarded a Roper Award for Research Experience (RARE) grant with Dr. Virginia Hettinger for a project titled, “Public Perception and Judicial Legitimacy,” which informs her current University Scholar thesis addressing the same topic. As a sophomore, she was invited to participate in UConn’s Leadership Legacy program and in other opportunities for emerging leaders, including the National Education for Women (NEW) Leadership New England Conference and “Elect Her”: Women in Politics Training Conference. In 2014 she was named a Truman Scholar for her record and commitment to public service. “My mission,” wrote Molly in her Truman application, “is to show people the magnitude of their own personal power in the political system.” A recipient of the Donald McCullough Leadership Award, the Robert F. and Margaret Dodge Belden Scholarship and an Academic Excellence Scholarship, she is a nominee for both the Rhodes and Marshall Scholarships.

Check out the UConn Today article about the 2014 U.S. Student Fulbright winners from UConn — they will be starting their Fulbright journeys this fall:

http://today.uconn.edu/blog/2014/08/four-uconn-students-receive-fulbright-awards-for-2014-15/

The competition for 2015 Fulbrights is in full swing, with a campus deadline of September 15.  For more information, go HERE.

We are so proud of all our nominees and thrilled to report that Molly Rockett was named a 2014 Truman Scholar! See UConn Today’s feature story HERE.

Each year, universities may nominate up to four juniors to compete in the prestigious Truman Scholarship competition for high-achieving students dedicated to careers in public service.  For more information about UConn’s nomination process and the scholarship itself, click HERE.  Nominees are selected for their strong academic records, demonstrated commitment to public service and exceptional leadership skills.   Also vital is the support of  faculty mentors and professionals in their chosen fields.

Melissa Beth Lovitz (CLAS: Human Development and Family Studies & MPA Fast-Track ‘15), an honors student and New England Scholar from Westford, MA, has deep roots in public service, having spent a “gap year” before college as a City Year Corps Member in Washington D.C. There she witnessed the problems of access to quality education and income disparity and has since been devoted to unravelling the complexity of education policy, economics and family engagement.  Melissa spent the spring of her sophomore year in Cape Town, South Africa, where she interned at City Mission Educational Services and volunteered at the Cape Town Holocaust Center.  She has also spent time in Uganda as an American Jewish World Service Volunteer, is an active member of UConn Hillel and a frequent Hebrew teacher at Temple Beth El in West Hartford, CT.  Currently a research assistant for the Neag School of Educational Leadership, she has also been a teaching assistant for BELL (Building Educated Leaders for Life) in Boston.  Melissa is 1st Vice President of Service for UConn’s chapter of Alpha Phi Omega, a national community service fraternity, and is a UConn Husky Ambassador and City Year Campus Ambassador.  Tireless, she is also a member of the UConn Marching Band and can be found working at the UConn Student Union Market Café.

Natalie Holt Vieira (CANR: Resource Economics ’15) is an honors student from Wolcott, CT who plans to study public policy and environmental law in order to advocate for effective environmental policies.  Natalie spent a semester interning for Senator Christopher Murphy in Washington D.C. and has since been serving as the lead intern for the CT League of Conservation Voters.  She is the appointed Undergraduate Representative to UConn’s Environmental Policy Advisory Council and is an active member of EcoHusky.  Natalie is also committed to serving the homeless and displaced populations.  She is a regular volunteer at the local Holy Family Shelter and is calling for new environmental refugee status for individuals displaced by the effects of climate change.  Ultimately, she aspires to work with the Disasters and Conflicts Sub-Programme of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), where she would address resource management and sustainability issues in conflict areas around the world. Natalie is the recipient of a Walt Disney Foundation Scholarship as well as an ARE Russell Palen Fund Scholarship, a CANR Smyrski Farm Scholarship and a UConn Academic Excellence Scholarship.  This fall she was the keynote speaker at the UConn Honors Ceremony for recipients of the Sophomore Certificate and other awards.

Sarah Purtill (CLAS: Philosophy, Psychology, Political Science ’15) is a dual degree, triple major honors student and New England Scholar from Manchester, CT.  Passionate about public service, Sarah focuses much of her boundless energy in the area of education reform.  She aspires to earn a master’s degree in education and public policy in preparation for a doctorate in educational leadership. Recipient of the Elizabeth C. Hanson Scholarship, she is currently studying political economy in U.K. during a semester abroad at the University of Nottingham.  One of Sarah’s many strengths is her ability to synthesize her majors and think critically about issues that contribute to barriers to education, a theme that resonates through her extracurricular activities.  This spring, she will lead an Alternative Spring Break to Providence, RI on Youth Development and Education.  On campus, she is a UNESCO Student Ambassador for Human Rights, and has been Assistant Editor for Namaste: Student Journal of Human Rights, a media specialist for UConnPIRG’s Hunger and Homelessness Campaign, a news contributor to UCTV, and a featured presenter at UConn’s International Women’s Day.  While in Nottingham, she is part of the Youth Civic Education cohort for the University of Nottingham Pro Bono Society.  Sarah also spends time volunteering as a Girl Scout leader and has served as a Student Mentor for PeaceJam New England.  Among these and many other activities, Sarah is an accomplished ballet dancer.

Mary Rockett (CLAS: Political Science ’15), widely known as “Molly,” is an honors student and New England Scholar from Somers, CT. Deeply committed to political engagement, Molly led UConn’s College Democrats to an impressive showing in an off-year election cycle last fall.  She has been an intern for both Senator Richard Blumenthal and Representative Joe Courtney in Washington DC, and served as a Nominator at Courtney’s Nominating Convention.  Despite her national exposure, Molly believes strongly that political engagement starts at the local level, and she was recently elected to the Town of Somers Board of Education.  In high school, she organized a Youth Issues Assembly with Rep. Courtney for her school and, as President of the Somers Gay/Straight Alliance, was an active leader in support of the LGBT community.  At the college level, Molly has been a research assistant for Dr. Matthew Singer, examining voting behavior in Latin America, and was recently awarded a Roper Award for Research Experience (RARE) grant with Dr. Virginia Hettinger for a project titled, “Public Perception and Judicial Legitimacy.”  As a sophomore, she was invited to participate in UConn’s highly selective Leadership Legacy Experience program and in other opportunities for emerging leaders, including the National Education for Women (NEW) Leadership New England Conference and “Elect Her”: Women in Politics Training Conference.  “My mission,” writes Molly, “is to show people the magnitude of their own personal power in the political system.”

Two University of Connecticut CLAS students have been awarded a Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) for intensive overseas language study. The CLS is a highly competitive program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State which reviews more than 5,000 applications and awards approximately 600 scholarships to study and master critical foreign languages. Participants are expected to continue their language study beyond the scholarship period and to later apply their critical language skills in their future professional careers.

Kelly Morrissey (’15, Communication & Individualized: International Relations) will be spending 8 weeks in Suzhou, China beginning in June, 2014. This demanding program requires 20+ hours of classroom instruction, extensive community engagement and a language pledge requiring that scholarship recipients speak only Chinese during all program activities.  Kelly is well-prepared to meet the challenges of this program, having spent the summer of 2013 in Shanghai, China on a Center for International Education (CIE) language program.  Her interest in China and her commitment to becoming proficient in Chinese developed in high school and have shaped the focus of her undergraduate program. In pursuit of her interests in global communication and trade, she is developing a comparative study on the traits of individualism and collectivism in relationship to media consumption in the U.S. and China for her senior honors thesis. Kelly’s ultimate goal is to pursue graduate study in China and to work for the U.S. State Department.

Melanie Meinzer (Ph.D. student, Political Science) will continue her study of Arabic at the Arab American Language Institute in Meknes, Morocco with her scholarship. Her six-week program will also involve 20+ hours a week of formal classroom instruction divided between Modern Standard Arabic and the local Maghrebi Arabic dialect.  Outside of the classroom, Melanie will be engaged in activities in the host community and living with a local host family.  Acquisition of proficient conversational Arabic language skills is essential to her doctoral research on the impact of foreign aid on non-governmental organizations in Palestine, where she will be conducting interviews with ordinary Palestinians and other stakeholders.  Her interest in these issues grew out of her pre-dissertation field research in the Occupied West Bank earlier this year, and her work at the British Consulate-General in Boston, MA, where she organized interfaith events with local Jewish and Arab-American organizations.

For these students, applying to the Critical Language Scholarship provided a process that enabled them to identify their academic interests, articulate a coherent research framework and work towards future career goals.  Kelly asserts that the scholarship is not “something you do in a random fashion; you must distinguish yourself by proving your commitment to learning the language.” Having applied for a CLS for the summer of 2013 and been turned down, she redoubled her efforts to demonstrate the seriousness of her commitment by pursuing an independent CIE program, continuing her involvement in campus and community organizations and maintaining a relationship with faculty from her CIE program.  “Persistence is the key – don’t give up!” is Kelly’s advice. Melanie concurs that demonstrating a consistent, long-term interest in the language and country is critical to a successful application. “Being able to develop a narrative about yourself, your studies, and your career plans in specific terms,” and being able to explain how the scholarship would move you forward is important.  She recommends starting early and working with the Writing Center and the Office of National Scholarships &Fellowships (ONS&F) staff on the application essays, and says that writing and revising several drafts before final submission is a critical step in the process.

For both Kelly and Melanie, the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in the culture and language of their respective countries, in addition to meeting the CLS program requirements and adapting to local culture and dialects, are all challenges they are eager to accept.  Let’s congratulate them and wish them best of luck in their travels!

To learn more about the Critical Language Scholarship and other opportunities for critical language studies, contact LuAnn Saunders-Kanabay, Assistant Director, Office of National Scholarships & Fellowships at luann.saunders-kanabay@uconn.edu.

 

Out of four nominees from UConn  in the prestigious national Goldwater Scholarship competition, 3 are recipients and 1 has been named an Honorable Mention!  The Goldwater Scholarship supports sophomores or juniors who have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement and research experience as undergraduates and are committed to earning a PhD or MD/PhD in a STEM discipline in the future.

Rebecca Jean Wiles (CLAS ’15) was named an Honorable Mention in the competition this year.

An honors student from Londonderry, NH, Rebecca is focusing her studies in the area of organic chemistry, particularly “green chemistry.” Consistently on the Dean’s list, Becky has also won the Office of Undergraduate Research Supply Award, a book award for Excellence in General Chemistry and the UConn Award. Actively involved in research, she is currently a member of the New Synthetic Methods Group (NSMG) headed by Dr. Nicholas Leadbeater (Chemistry), has contributed to one publication and, having been named a 2014 University Scholar, continues to collect promising data. Rebecca has also had research experiences through her participation in the Undergraduate Research Apprentice program and spent a summer at Stonehill College to hone her skills in green chemistry oxidation. Following graduation she aspires to earn a PhD in chemistry with a concentration in organic synthesis and ultimately pursue a career as an industrial scientist. When not in the lab, Rebecca enjoys baking, but also dedicates her time to the UConn Marching Band as a piccolo player.

Peter Larson (CANR ’15), Michael Cantara (ENGR ’16) and Patrick Lenehan (CLAS ’15) are all recipients of the award.  To learn more about them, see UConn Today‘s feature story:

http://today.uconn.edu/blog/2014/03/three-uconn-students-named-goldwater-scholars/

How to apply for the Rhodes, Marshall, and/or Mitchell Scholarship(s) as a University of Connecticut student or recent alum:

 

1. By May 1, 2014: Submit YOUR intent to apply for a Rhodes, Marshall, and/or Mitchell Scholarship(s), by filling out this FORM.

Information about the Rhodes, Marshall and Mitchell Scholarships is available HERE.

We recommend that you review each scholarship carefully, including eligibility and selection criteria, before submitting your intent to apply.  Once you submit your intent, you will receive a follow-up email from the Office of National Scholarships to confirm your intent and discuss next steps.

 

2. CAMPUS DEADLINE: Completed applications for each scholarship will be due on September 1, 2014, at which time our faculty nominating committee will interview strong candidates for nomination.

 

3. Successful nominees will receive endorsement and proceed to the national level for review by October 1.  Finalists in the national competitions will be notified and interviewed accordingly.  Results of all three competitions are typically released before the end of November.

 

Prospective candidates are welcome to meet with Jill Deans, Director of UConn’s Office of National Scholarships & Fellowships at any point to answer questions about the process or your candidacy.  You may select a posted time on the UConn Advising System:   www.uconn.advapp.edu (go to “Enrichment Programs” and follow the prompts to Jill Deans’ hours)

Good Luck!

 

Each year, universities may nominate up to four juniors to compete in the prestigious Truman Scholarship competition for high-achieving students dedicated to careers in public service.  For more information about UConn’s nomination process and the scholarship itself, click HERE.  Nominees are selected for their strong academic records, demonstrated commitment to public service and exceptional leadership skills.   Also vital is the support of  faculty mentors and professionals in their chosen fields.  This year’s nominees will have until February 4, 2014 to complete the national application.  Finalists will then be invited to a regional interview in March, with results to follow.  Good luck to all!

Melissa Beth Lovitz (CLAS: Human Development and Family Studies & MPA Fast-Track ‘15), an honors student and New England Scholar from Westford, MA, has deep roots in public service, having spent a “gap year” before college as a City Year Corps Member in Washington D.C. There she witnessed the problems of access to quality education and income disparity and has since been devoted to unravelling the complexity of education policy, economics and family engagement.  Melissa spent the spring of her sophomore year in Cape Town, South Africa, where she interned at City Mission Educational Services and volunteered at the Cape Town Holocaust Center.  She has also spent time in Uganda as an American Jewish World Service Volunteer, is an active member of UConn Hillel and a frequent Hebrew teacher at Temple Beth El in West Hartford, CT.  Currently a research assistant for the Neag School of Educational Leadership, she has also been a teaching assistant for BELL (Building Educated Leaders for Life) in Boston.  Melissa is 1^st Vice President of Service for UConn’s chapter of Alpha Phi Omega, a national community service fraternity, and is a UConn Husky Ambassador and City Year Campus Ambassador.  Tireless, she is also a member of the UConn Marching Band and can be found working at the UConn Student Union Market Café.

Natalie Holt Vieira (CANR: Resource Economics ’15) is an honors student from Wolcott, CT who plans to study public policy and environmental law in order to advocate for effective environmental policies.  Natalie spent a semester interning for Senator Christopher Murphy in Washington D.C. and has since been serving as the lead intern for the CT League of Conservation Voters.  She is the appointed Undergraduate Representative to UConn’s Environmental Policy Advisory Council and is an active member of EcoHusky.  Natalie is also committed to serving the homeless and displaced populations.  She is a regular volunteer at the local Holy Family Shelter and is calling for new environmental refugee status for individuals displaced by the effects of climate change.  Ultimately, she aspires to work with the Disasters and Conflicts Sub-Programme of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), where she would address resource management and sustainability issues in conflict areas around the world. Natalie is the recipient of a Walt Disney Foundation Scholarship as well as an ARE Russell Palen Fund Scholarship, a CANR Smyrski Farm Scholarship and a UConn Academic Excellence Scholarship.  This fall she was the keynote speaker at the UConn Honors Ceremony for recipients of the Sophomore Certificate and other awards.

Sarah Purtill (CLAS: Philosophy, Psychology, Political Science ’15) is a dual degree, triple major honors student and New England Scholar from Manchester, CT.  Passionate about public service, Sarah focuses much of her boundless energy in the area of education reform.  She aspires to earn a master’s degree in education and public policy in preparation for a doctorate in educational leadership. Recipient of the Elizabeth C. Hanson Scholarship, she is currently studying political economy in U.K. during a semester abroad at the University of Nottingham.  One of Sarah’s many strengths is her ability to synthesize her majors and think critically about issues that contribute to barriers to education, a theme that resonates through her extracurricular activities.  This spring, she will lead an Alternative Spring Break to Providence, RI on Youth Development and Education.  On campus, she is a UNESCO Student Ambassador for Human Rights, and has been Assistant Editor for Namaste: Student Journal of Human Rights, a media specialist for UConnPIRG’s Hunger and Homelessness Campaign, a news contributor to UCTV, and a featured presenter at UConn’s International Women’s Day.  While in Nottingham, she is part of the Youth Civic Education cohort for the University of Nottingham Pro Bono Society.  Sarah also spends time volunteering as a Girl Scout leader and has served as a Student Mentor for PeaceJam New England.  Among these and many other activities, Sarah is an accomplished ballet dancer.

Mary Rockett (CLAS: Political Science ’15), widely known as “Molly,” is an honors student and New England Scholar from Somers, CT. Deeply committed to political engagement, Molly led UConn’s College Democrats to an impressive showing in an off-year election cycle last fall.  She has been an intern for both Senator Richard Blumenthal and Representative Joe Courtney in Washington DC, and served as a Nominator at Courtney’s Nominating Convention.  Despite her national exposure, Molly believes strongly that political engagement starts at the local level, and she was recently elected to the Town of Somers Board of Education.  In high school, she organized a Youth Issues Assembly with Rep. Courtney for her school and, as President of the Somers Gay/Straight Alliance, was an active leader in support of the LGBT community.  At the college level, Molly has been a research assistant for Dr. Matthew Singer, examining voting behavior in Latin America, and was recently awarded a Roper Award for Research Experience (RARE) grant with Dr. Virginia Hettinger for a project titled, “Public Perception and Judicial Legitimacy.”  As a sophomore, she was invited to participate in UConn’s highly selective Leadership Legacy Experience program and in other opportunities for emerging leaders, including the National Education for Women (NEW) Leadership New England Conference and “Elect Her”: Women in Politics Training Conference.  “My mission,” writes Molly, “is to show people the magnitude of their own personal power in the political system.”

Each year, universities may nominate up to four sophomores or juniors to compete in the prestigious Goldwater Scholarship Competition.  For more information about UConn’s nomination process and the scholarship itself, click HERE.  This year’s nominees include one sophomore and three juniors from a variety of STEM disciplines.  Each satisfied the Goldwater’s criteria of academic excellence, demonstrate research experience and potential, and the desire to earn a PhD in their field.  Also vital is the strong support of their faculty mentors. Nominees will have until January 28, 2014 to complete the national application.  Results will be posted at or around April 1, 2014.

Michael Cantara (ENGR: Engineering Physics ’16) is an honors student from Barrington, RI.  He is a recipient of the Universities Space Research Association Education Scholarship and a Learning Mentorship Scholarship through the School of Engineering. With a passion for understanding the universe, Michael is currently conducting research in particle physics with Dr. Peter Schweitzer (Physics), calculating “Q-balls, with a focus on their d1 term.”  He is also working on a project with Dr. William Stwalley (Physics) and his team in the ultracold molecules laboratory. Though early in his research career, Michael has already participated in a summer research experience at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center in Newport, RI and because of this experience now has a department of defense (DoD) security clearance. With countless hours of community service, Michael is also an active member of the Society of Physics Students and UConn’s Physics Club.  A musician, Michael plays both the electric and acoustic guitar and has even taught others how to play. In his spare time, he enjoys tennis, golf, basketball, cycling and skiing.

Peter J. Larson, Jr. (AGNR: Pathobiology ’15), an honors student from New Canaan, CT, aspires to earn an MD/PhD and become “an innovator in the world of virology, viral vectors, or gene therapy.”  He is currently working in the lab of Dr. Paulo Verardi (Pathobiology) studying methods to produce recombinant vaccinia viruses.   He has presented two posters on his research and is collecting more data for publication.  He has also been a Research Associate for the Tobacco Cessation Program at St. Vincent’s hospital and conducted field research on water quality in local rivers while in still in high school.  When he’s home, he is an active Firefighter and EMT for the Vista Fire Department in Lewisboro, NY (which is adjacent to New Canaan), having been named Rookies of the Year in 2011. On campus, he is also busy outside of the lab, as a member of the UConn Ballroom Dance Team and within the Honors Program, as a student worker and PATH Mentor, among other activities.  He has received numerous awards, including: the James Dewitt Scholarship, the William H. Allen Scholarship, and an Academic Excellence Scholarship.  In 2012, he was named President of the Year by the UConn Residence Hall Association for his work on the Buckley-Shippee-Sylvie Area Council.

Patrick J. Lenehan (CLAS: MCB ’15), an honors student from Cheshire, CT, is currently conducting research with Dr. Barbara Mellone (MCB) on proteins and the formation of centromeres and kinetochores in Dosophilia.  He has also worked in the lab of Dr. Rajeswari Kasi (Chemistry) investigating the use of high-molecular weight poly-acrylic acid (PAA) to stabilize enzymes and is contributing to a publication with Dr. Melanie Collins, whom he shadowed in the Pulmonary Department at Central Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, on the treatment of pediatric patients with Cystic Fibrosis.  Before this, he was a research assistant for Dr. Alireza Shamshirsaz in the Department of Maternal and Fetal Medicine at the UConn Health Center, where he contributed to several publications on obstetrics.  Ultimately, Patrick plans to earn an MD/PhD, become a research oncologist and advance treatments of the disease.  At UConn, his stellar academic record has earned him recognition as a Babbidge Scholar.  He is also the recipient of the Presidential Scholars Award Scholarship and the United Technologies Corporation Academic Scholarship.  In addition to his demanding course load and research schedule, Patrick is a member of UConn’s NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Team.

Rebecca J. Wiles (CLAS: Chemistry ’15) from Londonderry, NH, is an honors student focusing her studies in the area of organic chemistry, particularly “green chemistry.” Consistently on the Dean’s list, Becky has also won the Office of Undergraduate Research Supply Award, a book award for Excellence in General Chemistry and the UConn Award. Actively involved in research, she is currently a member of the New Synthetic Methods Group (NSMG) headed by Dr. Nicholas Leadbeater (Chemistry), has contributed to one publication and continues to collect promising data. She has also had research experiences through her participation in the Undergraduate Research Apprentice program and spent a summer at Stonehill College continuing to hone her skills in green chemistry oxidation. Following graduation she aspires to earn a PhD in chemistry with a concentration in organic synthesis and ultimately pursue a career as an industrial scientist. When not in the lab, Rebecca enjoys baking, but also dedicates her time to the UConn Marching Band as a piccolo player.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

An Honors student from Manchester, CT, a political science major with a second, individualized major in international relations, Carl aspires to a career in foreign policy. The Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship, named in honor of one of the most distinguished American diplomats of the latter half of the 20^th century, is funded by the U.S. Department of State and administered by the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation. This prestigious competition selects 20 fellows from a pool of more than 600 applicants. The 2013 fellowship award provides support of up to $40,000 annually toward tuition, room, board, and mandatory fees during the senior year of college and the first year of graduate study. The program develops a source of trained men and women from academic disciplines representing the skill needs of the Department, who are dedicated to representing America’s interests abroad.

On campus, Carl has been a Director of the Model United Nations’ Environmental Programme, serves on the Environmental Committee for Honors Council and has served as a Student Ambassador for Human Rights. Off campus, he works for Mansfield’s Town Manager’s Office, which included computing greenhouse gas emissions for twelve town buildings. In the summer of 2011, he was a Research and Development Intern for Soluciones Comunitarias in Antigua, Guatemala where he worked to develop a text messaging system to support microconsignment efforts in remote mountain villages. Carl is dedicated to the study of foreign languages, including Spanish, Arabic and Japanese. He also enjoys singing and Taekwondo and is an active member of Beta Theta Pi. He was part of the 2012 cohort for the Leadership Legacy Experience and is the 2012 recipient of the Department of Literatures, Cultures and Languages: Excellence in Arabic Language Award as well as the Philip E. Austin Scholarship. Most recently, he was selected to participate in the 2013 Public Policy and International Affairs (PPIA) Junior Summer Institute at Princeton University.