Kathryn Nguyen - UC San Diego
Motivated by her undergraduate research on the protective effects of estrogen on the cardiovascular system, Kathryn joined the Department of Reproductive Medicine at UCSD for her graduate work. All of Kathryn’s research efforts in her short career thus far demonstrate a keen awareness of women’s health issues. Kathryn also displays a genuine interest in outreach efforts, as evidenced by her participation in an NIH-funded outreach program for the training of underrepresented minority undergraduate students in research (aka STARS). As a mentor in STARS, she advised students on the graduate school application process, taught a class on scientific writing and presentation and arranged networking opportunities for the students. Kathryn still serves as a mentor for many of the students with whom she worked in the STARS program. Her initiative, dedication and accomplishments reveal an aspiring scientist with great potential and outstanding leadership skills.

Paula Stigler - San Diego State University
Paula is a master’s student in the environmental health sciences program at SDSU, where her thesis research focuses on environmental health and water quality monitoring workshops and training in low-income communities. Her studies in South America and Mexico inspired her decision to further her education and pursue a career in the research of environmental health issues in developing countries. Paula has been actively involved in a local water monitoring program with San Diego Baykeeper, as well as the Environmental Health and Justice Initiative program of the San Diego Foundation. Paula’s dedication to water quality issues are further illustrated by her initiation of drinking water quality monitoring programs in four different indigenous communities in Mexico. Through the San Diego Foundation, she was awarded the prestigious Blasker Environment Grant to support the first year of her master’s thesis field research. Paula is a bright, dedicated woman who demonstrates scientific abilities in the laboratory and in the field whose passion for her chosen field will make her immensely successful.

Sharon Cohan - UC San Diego/San Diego State University
An introductory psychology course during her undergraduate tenure sparked Sharon’s interest in using scientific methods to study human behavior. She subsequently completed two assistantships in the psychology department, and also undertook her own independent research project. After graduating with honors, she worked as a clinical interviewer at Massachusetts General Hospital, conducting interviews with victims of interpersonal violence. She also volunteered with a rape crisis hotline and a treatment program for abused children. All of these experiences prompted her to join the joint doctoral program in Clinical Psychology at UCSD/SDSU. Her recently completed master’s thesis project was a study of coping techniques, and as a pilot project for her dissertation research she is currently designing a study of the withholding of emotional responses in individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder. Sharon is a student with tremendous potential who has already had an extremely productive research career and takes an avid interest in research opportunities.
 
Michelle Scott - San Diego City College
Michelle is studying biology at San Diego City College and plans to transfer to UCSD to pursue a degree in Evolution, Animal Behavior and Ecology. She currently participates in the Mathematics Engineering Science Achievement (MESA) program and was named 2003 Female Student of the Year by this group. Her accomplishments are numerous and include a summer internship at the Birch Aquarium, a research presentation at a UC Irvine conference and memberships in the Students for Diversity in Science and the Society for Hispanic Professional Engineers. Michelle also tutors students in mathematics, English, biology and chemistry. Michelle’s activities and accomplishments demonstrate that she is eager to learn and determined, and more great accomplishments are sure to follow as Michelle pursues a career in Ecology.

Lisa Olshansky - San Diego City College
Lisa is enrolled in the honors General Biology program at San Diego City College, and plans to transfer to UC Riverside to earn a degree in Botany, specializing in ethnobotany. She holds an enthusiastic interest in the identification and development of natural medicines, while recognizing the need to maintain sensitivity to the cultural and ethical issues surrounding such drug prospects. One of her goals is to improve the educational exchanges and relationships between the scientific community and indigenous tribes, particularly the California Cahuilla tribe. Lisa demonstrates leadership skills by interacting well with other students, contributing to classroom discussions and assisting other students with laboratory activities. Her intellectual curiosity, initiative and social awareness will help Lisa achieve her goals with great success.

Christina Sing - Point Loma Nazarene University
Currently studying biology with a pre-medical emphasis, and minoring in nutrition, Christina plans to graduate in 2005 and continue her education by attending medical school. In addition to her coursework, she devotes her time to a variety of volunteer projects, including work at a children’s hospital, work at a children’s orphanage in Mexico and weekly volunteer efforts in the oncology ward at Sharp Memorial Hospital. Recently she participated in a summer research program to assist with a study of deep venous thrombosis. Her scientific interests are broad, as indicated by her pre-medical studies, her interest in traditional Chinese health treatments and her research with the San Diego Zoological Society and Center for the Reproduction of Endangered Species. Christina’s dedication to her academic studies and to people in need make her well prepared for a career in medicine.

Kelly Featherstone - UC San Diego
Kelly is an Electrical Engineering major whose professional aspiration is to apply her education in the areas of communication systems and wireless networks. For three summers, she has participated in an internship program at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, where she worked on projects related to power supplies for custom electronics, infrared and millimeter-wave detectors and superconducting research. Inspired by her summer research projects, Kelly undertook an independent research project with a professor of electrical engineering at UCSD. She also spent a summer as an engineering intern at Qualcomm, where her performance led to an invitation to perform an additional research project this coming summer. Kelly’s dedication, ability and motivation will prepare her to be a successful professional, as well as a role model for aspiring engineers.

Jennifer Lynn Nielsen - San Diego State University
Jennifer’s childhood outdoor experiences inspired her desire to learn about the natural world and prompted her to pursue a Geology degree, with minors in Mathematics and Oceanography. In addition to her coursework, Jennifer has undertaken a senior thesis project, which is a geologic study of the three-dimensional aspects of structures in Picacho State Recreation Park, in California. Other projects in which she has participated include a study of deep Southern ocean temperature changes and a weathering profile of Cretaceous granodiorite. Ultimately, Jennifer desires to further her education by obtaining a master’s degree, and eventually a Ph.D., in the field of paleooceanography. Jennifer is an articulate, natural leader who is sure to have an outstanding career in Geology.