Isaac Lawanson, STEM Scholar

STEM Scholarship Recipient, 2017

Isaac Lawanson, McC '20, mechanical engineering, is from Bellmawr, New Jersey, and grew up in Nigeria.  He is an aspiring engineer interested in the automotive industry and ways to design cars so they are more efficient and less polluting.  He has strong leadership skills, and is described as very talented, with an amazing ability to bring classmates together and build a strong sense of community.                           

Rachel Orenstein, STEM Scholar

STEM Scholarship Recipient, 2017

Rachel Orenstein, McC '20, materials science and engineering, is from Boise, Idaho, and aspires to prepare to be an innovator in the field of Materials Science.  She has long had a passion for science and pursued engineering classes in high school as the only female in her class.  She is a well-rounded and focused scholar with interests in such fields as national security and music, and wants to use her engineering expertise to improve the lives of others.         

Victoria Blaga, STEM Scholar

STEM Scholarship Recipient, 2017

Victoria Blaga, WCAS, neuroscience, is from West Bloomfield, Michigan, and is pursuing a pre-med curriculum in preparation for a career in medicine.  She is a first-generation Ukrainian student and her goal is to start her own medical practice focusing on community outreach.   She is a member of Northwestern’s Bioscientist Freshman Research Preparatory Program and “embodies the spirit of a curious and brilliant Northwestern woman.”

2018 NOTE: Kayla received one of The Alumnae's STEM Scholarships for 2018-19 also.

Emerson Carlson, STEM Scholar

STEM Scholarship Recipient, 2019

Emerson Carlson, WCAS ’21, from Monroe, CT, is studying economics and math. As a high school senior, he received the Prudential Spirit of Community Certificate of Excellence and the President’s Volunteer Award. Currently, he is a member of a team that is a top six finalist for the Goldman Sachs U Chicago/Northwestern Stock Pitch Competition. Emerson has made the Dean’s List every quarter he has been at NU and is strongly committed to learning by immersing himself in the world of finance, collaborating and studying with classmates. In the face of adversity, he is thankful to his single mother who faced financial difficulties.

01/2020 Additional Information:  His extracurricular activities include Northwestern Capital Management.

Mary Okematti, STEM Scholar

STEM Scholarship Recipient, 2019

Mary Okematti, WCAS '21, from Rogers, MN, is studying cognitive science. She began Northwestern on the Karr Academic Achievement Scholarship, the J.G. Nolan Scholarship, the NU Alumni Twin Cities Scholarship, and the Todd Warren Fund for Undergraduate Students. She aspires to be a doctor who serves disempowered communities to help people take ownership over their health. Her focus is to understand how peoples’ thoughts affect their decision making. She has found a challenge in the STEM field due to underestimation of her because of her black womanhood, but has found that connections with people from the African community in her research lab have provided her with support.

Lucy Weidner, STEM Scholar

STEM Scholarship Recipient, 2019

Lucy Weidner, WCAS '21, from Staunton, VA., is studying environmental science and English. In high school, she received the Harry F. Byrd Leadership Award, the Marine Academic Excellence Award, and was a three-time state debate champion. Currently, she has been on the Dean’s List for all of 2018 and is on the Northwestern Mock Trial team, which was ranked 9th in the nation. Lucy aspires to do research on the intersection of human health and environment. She is committed to helping people understand the real issues with climate change and mass extinction, and is resolved to fix those issues. Chemistry was a particular challenge to Lucy but she used her struggle to help her understand what her overriding interest is: ecology.

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01/2020 Corrections:  Lucy Weidner's hometown is Waynesboro, VA, and her majors are environmental science and English literature.
 

Victor Aung, STEM Scholar

STEM Scholarship Recipient, 2019

Victor Aung, McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (McC) ’21, from Center Valley, Pennsylvania, is studying computer science. As a high school senior, he was a QuestBridge Scholar, FRC Robotics District Champion, Best Use of Snap-Kit of University of Chicago’s Uncommon Hacks, and received School of Engineering honors for getting straight As in a given quarter. He is committed to integrating the arts and humanities with his engineering work – focusing on user-centric design to make applications easier to use and more accessible. He credits his drive for success to his Burmese immigrant parents who risked everything so he could grow up with an excellent education.

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Phoebe Kwon, STEM Scholar

STEM Scholarship Recipient, 2018

Phoebe (Siyoon) Kwon, WCAS, materials science, from Scottsdale, Arizona, has distinguished herself by being on the dean’s list for all seven quarters she has been at Northwestern. She also received the J.G. Nolan Endowed Scholarship for the 2017-2018 academic year. Last summer she was part of the Posner Fellowship, where she researched synthetic organic chemistry and drug development for Human African Trypanosomiasis and was accepted into the Mayo Clinic’s Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship. Her primary goal is to attend graduate school to seek out research opportunities to find new drugs, therapeutics and technologies to enhance medical care, especially for the underserved. She independently found mentors to support her endeavors in a climate that she describes as lacking in support for women and underrepresented minorities. She is a part of the Northwestern University Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers.