University News

Celebrating Saint Joseph's 2023 Student Fellowships and Awards

Saint Joseph’s students and alumni spent 2023 earning prestigious fellowships and awards, including a Fulbright semifinalist and a Critical Language Scholarship alternate.

DAAD-RISE professional scholarship awardee Kayla Flanders ’23

DAAD-RISE professional scholarship awardee Kayla Flanders ’23

by Kevin Gfeller ’20

Saint Joseph’s is proud to share that seven students will gain valuable experience in their fields of study after earning fellowships and scholarships this year.

Mark Reynolds, PhD, associate professor of chemistry, has served as the director of the Office of Fellowships for the past seven years. In this role, Reynolds has mentored students through the application process for fellowships and awards on a national and global scale. He has overseen the application and award of multiple Fulbrights, Barry M. Goldwater scholarships and National Science Foundation (NSF) graduate research awards, among others. 

Now, Reynolds is passing the torch to someone else. 

“It’s hard to pick just one moment,” says Reynolds. “But, being recognized as a Fulbright Top Producing University after having students win four Fulbright awards last year is certainly up there.”

While the fellowship program has blossomed, Reynolds thinks there is still room to grow. 

“I hope to see us continue expanding our fellowships applicants to students from diverse backgrounds,” says Reynolds. “Preparing an application requires a lot of effort from the students, their faculty committee and me. But, I see how much students grow and change during the application process, which can unfold over a year or more.” 

With Saint Joseph’s closing its merger with University of the Sciences in June 2022, and its next merger with PA College of Health Sciences set for January 2024, the Office of Fellowships is eager to welcome in an even broader, more diverse pool of applicants to match to different award opportunities. 

Ultimately, the student outcomes he has overseen will stay with Reynolds for years to come. 

MEET THE AWARD WINNERS

  • The Barry M. Goldwater STEM Research Scholarship is awarded to college sophomores and juniors who intend to pursue research careers in the natural sciences, mathematics or engineering.

    Alexa Mihaita ‘24 Alexa Mihaita ‘24 working in a lab

    • Major: Chemical biology
    • Hometown: Springfield, Pennsylvania
    • Award: Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship

    Extracurriculars and Honors 

    What kind of research are you conducting?

    For the last two years, I have conducted ongoing research with Shantanu Bhatt, PhD, associate professor of biology. In his lab, we studied how gene regulation allows bacteria such as Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) and E. albertii to cause disease. These bacteria are a significant cause of infantile diarrhea, especially in developing countries. By studying gene regulation in these bacteria, our long-term goal is to identify targets for new and effective therapeutics against EPEC and E. albertii infections. 

    Since last summer, Dr. Bhatt and I have been researching how an RNA Chaperone Protein called ProQ regulates the ability of EPEC to cause disease. This protein regulates the expression of many genes that are required for EPEC to colonize and infect the small intestine. Even further, we have found that ProQ affects a number of processes involved in causing disease, such as motility and the formation of highly antibiotic-resistant groups of bacteria called biofilms. 

    What inspired you to apply for this scholarship?

    I have an ever-growing passion for bacterial pathogenesis research. Given my long-standing interest in molecular biology and public health, I was drawn to Dr. Bhatt’s lab and the chance to explore gene regulation in a pressing context: the virulence of pathogens that pose significant health risks in developing countries. 

    After my first meeting with Dr. Bhatt, I was immediately excited by the prospect of filling in the gaps of an incomplete map of microbial pathogenesis. My time in his lab has transformed this initial curiosity into a long-term interest. 

    This scholarship is like a springboard that will allow me to foster my growing interest in attending graduate school, where I hope to pursue a research career in microbiology or immunology. 

    Working with Dr. Bhatt's has helped me change and grow both as a scientist and as a person, building confidence in my own capability to pursue this scholarship. I truly could not have done this without him.

    What are you most looking forward to with this opportunity?

    Aside from giving me the encouragement I needed to pursue a career as a research scientist, this opportunity has also allowed me to connect with an incredible network of Goldwater Scholars, both past and present. I am looking forward to learning from those who are already on my desired career path in graduate school and beyond, and I hope to serve as a mentor for future scholars in the years to come!

  • The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program is an immersive summer opportunity for American college and university students to learn languages essential to America's engagement with the world.

    Caren Teague ‘23

    • Major and Minor: English major, environmental science minor
    • Hometown: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
    • Award: Critical Language Scholarship

    Extracurriculars and Honors

    What inspired you to apply for this award? 

    A major influence in my decision to apply for the Critical Language Scholarship was my recent study abroad experience in the Spring of 2022. Through the School for International Training, I did the International Honors Program and went to Ecuador, Spain and South Africa. 

    Following my semester abroad, my time as an intern and constituent advocate at the Office of Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon this past year inspired me to expand my language skill set and learn Arabic to better communicate with constituents in my future career.

    What is next for you?

    This fall, I have plans to attend law school at the Case Western Reserve University School of Law. After receiving my JD and passing the bar exam, I hope to practice international environmental law.

     

    Victoria Myers ’22, ‘23 (MA)

    Unavailable for interview

    • Major: Political science (BA) and public policy (MA)
    • Award: Critical Language Scholarship

  • The DAAD-RISE Professional summer STEM fellowship to Germany offers students the opportunity to complete a research internship at one of Germany’s top universities and research institutions.

    Kayla Flanders ‘23

    • Major and minor: Chemical biology major, art minor
    • Hometown: Hainesport, New Jersey
    • Award: DAAD-RISE Professional

    Extracurriculars and Honors

    How was your experience completing research in Berlin? What are you most excited about returning to Germany?

    My research in Berlin not only taught me so much about physical chemistry and what it means to commit to the scientific research process, but also the invaluable life skills that come with living on your own in a foreign city. It was my very first time in Europe! I fell in love with the city of Berlin, from its unique architecture and parks to learning more about its complicated history. 

    I undertook an independent research project in a multilingual physical chemistry lab at the Berlin Institute of Technology. I worked on a compound called Limonene, which is the fresh lemon smell in so many household cleaning products. It was exciting to work on a project with so many applications to everyday life. I was taught the importance of negotiating different cultural conventions and linguistic differences, from asking the right questions when only snippets of a conversation are in English, to strengthening my relationships with my peers whose first language is not my own.

    Returning to Germany for a new project in a new city is incredibly exciting. This time, I will be in Oberhausen, Germany, which is an entirely new part of the country for me. I will be working on a CO2 emissions project with the goal of converting CO2 emissions from fossil fuels into a renewable source of energy. 

    I am most excited for the feeling of adventure that always comes along with total immersion in a foreign country — everything always feels brand new, even getting a cup of coffee. 

    I’m also excited to once again have access to the amazing network of trains in Germany, which could take me to Paris, Amsterdam or back to Berlin. 

    What is your favorite German food?

    My favorite German food is called spaetzle, which is an egg noodle pasta and has a dumpling-like texture. Last summer, I visited my soccer teammate from SJU, whose hometown is in Stuttgart, Germany and her mom made the best homemade spaetzle ever.

    What inspired you to apply for this award?
    This award gives me the opportunity to do cutting-edge research on renewable energy projects at the Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology UMSICHT while also allowing me to soak up as many research and STEM-based experiences as I can before moving on to law school in the fall of 2023. 

    What is next for you?

    I am aspiring to be a patent attorney in the biotechnology sector and this award will help me cultivate my research expertise to use in my future career. I am attending the Cardozo School of Law at Yeshiva University in Manhattan. It is ranked 8th in the country for Intellectual Property law, the type of law I will be studying.

  • The Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (ETA) program places Fulbrighters in classrooms abroad to provide assistance to local English teachers. ETAs help teach the English language while serving as cultural ambassadors for the U.S.

    Raeghan Smith ’21, ’22 (MS)

    Unavailable for interview.

    • Major: International relations (BA) and public policy (MS) 
    • Award: Fulbright ETA semifinalist (Bosnia-Herzegovina)

  • The Meddeas Language Assistant Program places recent college graduates into English as a New Language classrooms throughout private schools in Spain. Graduates gain teaching experience, a full teaching ENL certification and bolster their Spanish language skills.

    Ashley Damaia ‘23

    • Major and Minor: Elementary education (Pre K-4) major and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) minor
    • Hometown: Kensington, Maryland
    • Award: Meddeas Fellowship

    Extracurriculars and honors

    • Alpha Phi Omega
    • Alpha Alpha Alpha

    What inspired you to apply for this program?

    I was inspired to apply for a position to teach abroad in Spain because I love working with bilingual students. I'm really passionate about second language acquisition and a lot of the courses I've taken at St. Joe's have prepared me to teach children English. Last semester, I taught students at Antonia Pantoja Charter school, a bilingual Spanish-English school which was an incredible experience. I think teaching abroad in Spain will be a unique opportunity for me to apply what I have learned while teaching in a different school setting. 

    Have you been to Spain before?

    I have never been to Spain before so I’m very excited! I’m looking forward to practicing my Spanish speaking skills and getting to travel while doing what I love most, teaching!

  • The National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF-GRFP) recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students in NSF-supported STEM disciplines who are pursuing research-based master’s and doctoral degrees at accredited U.S. institutions.

    Kara Moulton ‘23

    • Major and Minor: Chemistry major, Spanish minor
    • Hometown: Sterling, Massachusetts
    • Award: National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships (NSF-GRFP)

    Extracurriculars and honors

    How was your experience in Germany after winning the DAAD-RISE fellowship? 

    My experience in Germany was wonderful! It was great being able to experience something so formative in both professional and personal ways. I learned a lot in the lab, but was also able to make the most of being abroad. I traveled to other cities and countries almost every weekend. I never thought I would be able to have a study abroad experience as a chemistry major, so I was extremely grateful for the opportunity. 

    What is your favorite German tradition/food? 

    I'm not sure if it would be considered a tradition, but my favorite aspect of living in Germany was the environmental consciousness and emphasis on spending time outside. I lived in Muenster, the "biking capital" of Germany, and I really loved being able to bike anywhere I needed to go without having to worry about traffic or public transportation. There were also so many public parks and running trails to enjoy.

    What inspired you to apply for this award?

    I knew this award would give me more flexibility in choosing what lab I work in during graduate school. It will also provide me with funding to attend conferences and continue to communicate my research and learn from others in the field.

    What is next for you? 

    I will begin working toward my PhD in chemistry at MIT in the fall. 

  • The Teaching Assistant Program in France offers students the opportunity to work in France for seven months, where they will teach English to French students ranging from ages 8- to 18-years old. Applicants must be able to speak intermediate French.

    Claire Dragwa ‘23

    • Majors: Secondary education and French double major
    • Hometown: Lansdale, Pennsylvania
    • Award: Teaching Assistant Program in France 

    Extracurriculars and Honors:

    What inspired you to apply for this award?

    I applied for this award because I want to be a French teacher. I think the only way to hone my French skills is to immerse myself in a country that speaks it.

    What are you most looking forward to with this opportunity?

    After this experience, I can share my first-hand knowledge of the language and culture of France with my future students. I'm also excited to share American culture from a first-hand perspective with French students.

    Have you ever been to France? What was your favorite experience?

    I studied abroad in Paris in the fall of 2021. It was the best experience of my life! I think my favorite part was traveling and learning things about the French language and culture that I had never learned before. 

To apply for a scholarship, fellowship or grant, or to learn about award opportunities, visit Saint Joseph’s Fellowships Office.

 

The view of SJU's campus.
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