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Illinois
Chapter

Current Scholars

The Illinois Chapter of ARCS® Foundation has granted awards to a total of twelve scholars for academic year 2015-2016.  These scholars were selected from the five institutions that are our Chapter's Academic Partners:

Illinois Institute of Technology

Loyola University of Chicago
Stritch School of Medicine
Northwestern University
The University of Chicago
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

 

Awards were presented at the Scholar Awards Luncheon held on October 22, 2015.

 

Our Academic Partners  identify qualified scholars  who then go through a detailed vetting process before they are matched with  those donors who support named scholars, or before they are chosen to be awarded from the general Scholar Award Fund.  This year and in recent years, each scholar receives a $10,000 annual award for a maximum of three years, and becomes a welcome member of the ARCS® Illinois family.

We take pleasure in introducing the following scholars for academic year 2015-2016:

Illinois Institute of Technology

Matthew S. Weimer

PhD in Chemistry

Aileen S. Andrew Foundation Scholar

Research interest: Finding atomic-scale solutions to large-scale global problems such as the burgeoning energy crisis.
Loyola University of Chicago Stritch School of Medicine

William P. Flavin

MD/PhD in Integrative Cell Biology

Takeda Pharmaceuticals /ARCS® Foundation Scholar

Research interest: The study of the protein alpha-synuclein and the impact it may have on Parkinson's Disease.
Northwestern University

Abdallah Bachir Diagne

PhD in Chemistry

Takeda Pharmaceuticals/ARCS® Foundation Scholar

Research interest: High throughput screening methodology to enable both discovery and optimization of new organic reactions.

Rebecca Edwards

MD/PhD in Microbiology/Immunology

Roche/ARCS® Foundation Scholar

Research interest: Interplay between the herpes simplex virus and the host during ocular infections.
The University of Chicago

Mary Catherine Andorfer

PhD in Chemistry

ARCS® Foundation Scholar

Research interest: Investigating specific groups of enzymes for their practical use in organic chemistry.

Anya Bershad

MD/PhD, Medical Science Training Program (Integrative Neuroscience) Takeda Pharmaceuticals /ARCS® Foundation Scholar

Research interest: Understanding and treatment of substance abuse disorders.

Sara Jackrel

PhD in Ecology & Evolution

Cashel Foundation Scholar

Research interest: Biological diversity and its role in maintaining vital ecosystem diversity.

David Koren

MD/PhD, Medical Science Training Program (Neurobiology) Roche/ARCS® Foundation Scholar

Research interest: Investigating mechanisms that enable retinol neurons to discriminate between motion in various directions.
University of Illinoist at Urbana-Champaign

Nickolas R. Andersen

PhD in Mathematics

Alan Schriesheim ARCS® Foundation Scholar

Research interest: Number theory; in particular the theory of modular forms and "mock modular forms".

Kristen A. Bishop

PhD in Plant Biology

ARCS® Foundation Joanna Stein Memorial Scholar

Research interest: Identifying strategies to maximize pant and crop responses to elevated CO2.

Kelsey Caetano-Anolles

PhD in Animal Sciences

Phyllis M.Wise ARCS® Foundation Scholar

Research interest: The interface between neurobiology, genomic science, and behavioral science.

Justin M. Hutchison

PhD in Civil & Environmental Engineering

John and Patricia Anderson/ARCS® Foundation Scholar

Research interest: Use of renewable energy inputs to capture or detoxify contaminants in water.

 

Thanks From Scholar Richard Duncan

In addition to financial support, ARCS provided a unique opportunity to connect with people across the city, get a glimpse of the problems other researchers and scholars are solving, and better understand the efforts being made to continue to support math and science education in the US. This "window" into parts of the scientific world outside my own field was an important addition to my doctorate studies, and will greatly inform my future adventures (which remain "to be determined" at the moment).

Thanks From Scholar Kevin Nelson

The ARCS scholarship program has been a critical factor for my success in graduate school at Northwestern University.  Not only did the program provide financial aid for me to continue my studies, but it also allowed me to interact with a diverse group of scientists and nonscientists several times a year.  These interactions have allowed me to keep up with cutting edge research outside of my field of study and have provided enormous insight into my own work.  Given the multidisciplinary nature of the program, I have also learned how to effectively communicate my results so that anyone from any field can understand what I am doing, an invaluable skill for any budding scientist.  After I graduate from Northwestern, I plan on continuing my career in research by studying immunology in a postdoctoral position.  I know that I will be able to take the experiences and lessons I’ve learned in the ARCS scholarship program and apply it to my next job, as well as the rest of my career as a scientist.

Thanks From Scholar Louise Giam

I have been an Arnold Beckman scholar for the past three years while working towards my PhD at Northwestern University. I feel extremely privileged to have received support from ARCS and have always enjoyed meeting the members, whether it is talking about the creative event themes, lessons learned from different industries, or how science and technology have changed over the years.  ARCS has provided funds that enabled me to attend conferences and meet peers within my field. It has given me peace of mind to focus on research without distractions and the confidence to pursue important scientific questions that my lab would not typically investigate. Most importantly, however, ARCS has conveyed the importance of bridging lab work with the community-at-large and committed me to become involved in creating opportunities for future scientists as well.