Academic Honors and Fellowships
2024 Boren Scholarship
Boren Scholarships provide funding for rigorous language study in exchange for a commitment to work in the federal government for at least one year after graduation.
Thomas Martynowicz will graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs and a minor in Social Sciences. Thomas plans to study Quechua in Peru on the Boren Scholarship.
2024 Boren Fellowship
Boren Fellowships provide funding for research and language study proposals by U.S. graduate students in worlds regions critical to U.S. interests.
Angela Chong will graduate with a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) in Music Teaching and Learning in Spring 2028. Angela plans to study Hungarian in Budapest on the Boren Fellowship.
2024 Astronaut Scholarship
The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation was established in 1984 as the Mercury Seven Foundation by the six surviving members of America’s original Mercury Seven astronauts. This year ASF has awarded 60 scholarships to students from 44 different universities across the nation. Astronaut Scholarships are awarded to students in their junior and senior year of college studying science, technology, engineering, or mathematics with the intent to pursue research or advance their field upon completion of their final degree. Astronaut Scholars are among the best and brightest minds in STEM who show initiative, creativity, and excellence in their chosen field.
Miguel Mercado is a rising senior studying Physics & Computer Science and Mathematics. He conducts research on theoretical condensed matter physics, working closely with USC professors Stephan Haas, Aiichiro Nakano, and Rosa Di Felice and serves as the director for the USC Physics and Astronomy Mentorship Program (PAMP). His research focuses on probing exotic phases of quantum matter through advancing novel theoretical methods, such as simulation with contemporary quantum computers. Miguel’s goal is to pursue a PhD in Physics and eventually to lead a research group of his own.
2024 Critical Language Scholarship Program
The CLS Program provides opportunities to U.S. undergraduate and graduate students to spend eight to ten weeks studying one of over a dozen critical languages. CLS scholars gain language and cultural skills that enable them to contribute to U.S. economic competitiveness and national security.
- Olamide Babayeju (Business Administration) – Chinese
- Anne Chen (International Relations and the Global Economy) – Arabic
- Maia Cho (Computer Science) – Korean
- Quin Cho (History & International Relations) – Korean
- Laura Findlay (Archaeology & Visual Anthropology) – Arabic
- Blake Levins (International Relations, Global Business) – Korean
2024 Fulbright U.S. Student Program
The Fulbright U.S. Student Program provides grants for individually designed study/research projects or for English Teaching Assistant Programs.
Arthur Bookstein will graduate May 2025 with a Doctor in Medicine degree from the Keck School of Medicine. Arthur won a Fulbright Open Study/Research Award to Japan, where he plans to research the impact of social determinants of health on viral-related liver cancer. After Fulbright, Arthur intends on pursuing post-graduate training in Combined Internal Medicine and Pediatrics and later pursue a career as a medical oncologist, cancer researcher, and policy advocate.
Eric Bui will graduate in May 2024 with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Politics and Law. Eric won an English Teaching Assistant Award to Vietnam. While in Vietnam, Eric plans to serve as a Vietnamese-American cultural ambassador and work with Vietnamese students in Bac Giang High School for the Gifted in the Bac Giang Province of Vietnam. After Fulbright, Eric plans to pursue a J.D.-Ph.D. and intends to work in the intersection of constitutional and immigration jurisprudence as an appellate attorney.
Vian Bui will graduate May 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance. Vian won an English Teaching Assistant Award to Vietnam, where she also plans to teach financial literacy to the local community. After completing Fulbright, Vian will work in investment banking in New York.
Giancarlo Ceja will graduate May 2024 with a Bachelor of Art in Environmental Studies and International Relations, and a minor in Web Technologies and Applications. He won an English Teaching Assistant Award to South Korea. Giancarlo is interested in pursuing a career in environmental justice, pushing mitigation policy that protects disadvantaged communities who are most at risk to the climate crisis.
Samantha Chacko will graduate in May 2024 with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Politics and Law, along with two minors in Law and Public Policy and Musical Studies: Classical Voice. Samantha was awarded the Fulbright-Nehru Open Study/Research Award to analyze women’s access to legal aid in Bangalore, India. While in Bangalore, Samantha will work with local legal aid centers to evaluate equality in access to justice. Upon completing her Fulbright project, Samantha plans to attend law school and pursue a career working to increase access to justice.
Hunter Cibula graduated from USC December 2023 with a Bachelor of Arts in Cinema and Media Studies. Hunter was awarded the Fulbright Open Study/Research Award to Argentina, where he will create two short-form documentaries that illustrate the urgency of global warming as a national and global issue through the communities of the Andes who are directly grappling with its consequences. After Fulbright, Hunter intends to continue pursuing a career in documentary filmmaking, unveiling untold stories about the world’s landscapes and cultures.
Kristin Nguyen Dickson will graduate in May 2024 with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Politics and Law and two minors in Spanish and Theatre. Kristin won an English Teaching Assistant Award to Vietnam. After Fulbright, Kristin hopes to continue her education and pursue a J.D.
Phong Doozy will graduate in May 2024 with a Bachelor of Arts in Health and Human Sciences, with an emphasis on Aging, and minors in Comedy (Performance) and Psychology and Law, integrating his passion for humor into healthcare and academic endeavors. He has also graduate with a Master’s in Health Administration. Phong has been awarded an English Teaching Assistant Award to Vietnam, where he will contribute his skills in education and health. Following his Fulbright experience, Phong is committed to a career in health administration, focusing on enhancing access and quality of care for patients from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.
Quinn Driver graduated from USC May 2020 with a Bachelor of Science in Public Policy. Quinn won a English Teaching Assistant Award to Malawi. Quinn will use her current experience as a teacher at the Girls Athletic Leadership School Los Angeles (GALS LA) and teach English abroad to engage the community through dance and sports. After Fulbright, Quinn intends to continue her career in education and educational leadership.
Kylie Eiselstein graduated in May 2023 with a Bachelor of Art in Cinema and Media Studies and a minor in Philosophy. Kylie won an English Teaching Assistant Award in Indonesia and plans to integrate her experience in media to introduce lesser-known films and demonstrate the vastness of the entertainment industry. After Fulbright, Kylie plans to continue her path as an educator and teach English and History.
Gemma Fa-Kaji will graduate May 2024 with a Master of Arts in Teaching. She also graduated from USC in 2023 with a Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics and a minor in Chinese. Gemma was awarded an English Teaching Assistant Award to Taiwan, where she plans to engage with Taiwan’s indigenous communities, introduce students to international diaspora cultures through her Asian American heritage, and promote low pressure classroom environments using play and collaboration. After Fulbright, Gemma plans to return to the U.S. to teach in schools with a high percentage of English language learners. She will continue to design lessons that relate to students’ identities, nurture their social-emotional skills and love of learning, and help them become thoughtful participants in an increasingly connected world.
Gaveen Godage will graduate in May 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Human Biology and a Master of Science in Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine. Gaveen won an Fulbright Research Award to Germany, where he will be studying the genetic basis of congenital heart disease using stem cells from patients. While in Germany, Gaveen plans to volunteer at the German Heart Center of Munich, attend the Munich Literature Festival, and join a local run club. After Fulbright, Gaveen plans to pursue a career in medicine, focusing on international collaborations to improve care for children with heart defects around the world.
Sasha Hussain graduated in May 2023 with a Bachelor of Arts in Health and Human Sciences. Sasha won an English Teaching Assistant award to South Korea, where she plans to start a local lacrosse team to introduce students to the transformative power of the outdoors. After Fulbright, she will pursue a career in medicine to address health disparities and strengthen social structures that emphasize preventative measures.
Sarra Hussien will graduate in May 2024 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, and a minor in Psychology. Sarra won an English Teaching Assistant Award to Kenya. While in Kenya, she hopes to establish a journalism club on campus to provide students a creative space to express their passions and insights. After Fulbright, Sarra plans to attend law school and specialize in immigration law, furthering her commitment to refugee advocacy.
Aditi Jagannathan will graduate May 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Computational Neuroscience and two minors in Artificial Intelligence Applications and Gender and Social Justice. Aditi won an Open Research Award to the Netherlands where she will be researching transcriptional signatures of Alzheimer’s disease resilience and vulnerability. Aditi is looking forward to volunteering at community gardens and exploring the numerous natural parks in the Netherlands. After Fulbright, Aditi plans to attend graduate school and work in the neurotechnology industry determining possible treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.
Nivea Krishnan will graduate May 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Public Policy and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. Nivea won an English Teaching Assistant Award to Spain. While in Spain, Nivea plans to work on youth civic engagement initiatives with local organizations in addition to teaching high school students. After Fulbright, Nivea plans to attend law school and build a career in public interest litigation, with a specific interest in protecting civil rights and liberties for traditionally underrepresented communities.
Kira Liljegren will graduate May 2024 with a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and two minors in German and Theatre. Kira won an English Teaching Assistant Award to Germany. While in Germany, Kira plans to work with refugee children and implement an after-school theatre program to encourage artistic exploration among her students. After Fulbright, Kira plans to attend law school and eventually work in human rights defense.
Kevin Lu graduated December 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations and minor in Social Entrepreneurship. He received a Fulbright Open Study/Research Award to Estonia to investigate Estonia’s climate technology, its impact on achieving net zero emissions, and how these innovations can be further adopted across various markets. After completing a Fulbright grant, Kevin plans to pursue graduate school in the sustainable business field.
Liliana Ruvalcaba will graduate May 2024 with a Bachelor of Arts in Health and Human Sciences and two minors in Health Care Studies and Natural Science. She will also graduate with a Master of Arts in Medical Gerontology. Liliana won a Fulbright Open Study/Research Award to Colombia where she will pursue research in Global Health, specifically on improving access to health care for older adults in Bogotá, Colombia. While in Colombia, Liliana plans to volunteer at a nursing home or at the hospital Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá. After Fulbright, Liliana plans to pursue a career in medicine, focusing on geriatric medicine.
Shourav Saha will graduate in May 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with a concentration in Chemical Biology. Shourav received a Fulbright Open Study/Research Award to Switzerland, where he will use synchrotron and X-ray free electron lasers at the Paul Scherrer Institute for time-resolved crystallographic studies of biomolecules relevant to cancer. While in Switzerland, Shourav intends to volunteer at local primary and secondary schools and host experiments for demonstrating physical principles. After Fulbright, Shourav will pursue his PhD in Chemistry at the University of Chicago, focusing on ultrafast spectroscopy.
Ananya Shah graduated from USC May 2023 with a Bachelor of Arts in Narrative Studies and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Economy, with a minor in Screenwriting. She received an English Assistance Teaching Award to the Slovak Republic. While in the Slovak Republic, Ananya plans to connect with artistic communities about theatre and scriptwriting. She hopes to use the experience in Fulbright to continue an career in education, specializing in educational leadership and policy.
Natalie Sipula graduated May 2023 with a Bachelor of Art in Philosophy, Politics and Law and Spanish. She received an English Assistant Teaching Award to Colombia. While in Colombia, she hopes to use her extensive experience in theatre to start a Theatre Club and engage students in English-learning through the arts. After returning from Colombia, Natalie wants to attend law school and pursue a career as a government attorney, focusing in the Latin American region.
Nicole Song graduated in May 2023 with a Bachelor of Arts in Cognitive Science and minors in User Experience and Education & Society. She will graduate in May 2024 with a Master of Science in Digital Social Media. Nicole won an English Teaching Assistant Award to Taiwan. While in Taiwan, she plans to create programs for students to discuss mental health and cultural differences between the US and Taiwan. After Fulbright, Nicole plans to work in the entertainment industry as a researcher, identifying trends to enhance education technology for children.
Hanna Sun Teerman will graduate May 2024 with a Bachelor of Art in International Relations and a minor in Business Law. Hanna received an English Teaching Assistant Award to Taiwan. After Fulbright, she plans to attend law school and work at the intersection of law, human rights, and technology.
2024 Goldwater Scholarship
The Goldwater Scholarship provides support to undergraduate students majoring in the natural sciences, engineering and mathematics who intend to pursue research careers in these fields.
Brandon Ye is a junior pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Quantitative Biology, a minor in Artificial Intelligence Applications, and a Master of Science in Quantitative and Computational Biology. Early interests in biology and computer science led him to join Professor Peter Kuhn’s lab at CSI-Cancer as a freshman, where he is currently an undergraduate research fellow. At CSI-Cancer, his research seeks to characterize diverse populations of tumor cells found in the blood of cancer patients towards more accurate patient-level models of disease outcomes, especially in rare cancer types. He has also conducted research with the USC Street Medicine program on problems in health equity, policy, and homelessness. On campus, Brandon is the editor-in-chief of the Southern California Undergraduate Research Journal, the president of the Quantitative Biology Association, and a supplemental instruction leader for biochemistry, biology, and physics. After graduation, he plans to attend medical school and conduct research at the intersections of artificial intelligence and clinical practice.
2024 Luce Scholarship
The Luce Scholars Program is a nationally competitive fellowship that offers early-career leaders immersive, professional experiences in Asia. It provides stipends, language training, and individualized professional placement in Asia.
Giancarlo Ceja will graduate May 2024 with a Bachelor of Art in Environmental Studies and International Relations, and a minor in Web Technologies and Applications. His passion lies within environmental justice, striving to create climate mitigation policy that protects the marginalized communities most susceptible to the climate crisis. This pursuit was spurred by his upbringing in a low-income migrant community in Southern California that was disproportionately affected by phenomena such as Urban Heat Islands (UHIs) and air pollution. Giancarlo has been active in coastal research and policy, conducting citizen science projects with USC Sea Grant and commenting publicly against harmful marine development through Heal the Bay. He also continues to be heavily involved in the federal government, first interning for the district office of Congressman Jimmy Gomez and currently serving as an intern for the U.S. Geological Survey, where he is currently organizing the first International Invasive Species and Climate Change Conference. In the future, Giancarlo strives to earn an MPP and JD to continue preparing for a career in environmental policy, fighting for proper climate mitigation and community protection on the federal and international levels.
Meet the 50th Cohort of Luce Scholars, 2024-2025
2024 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students in NSF-supported science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines who are pursuing research-based Master’s and doctoral degrees at accredited United States institutions.
Allen Chang will graduate May 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Applied and Computational Mathematics. He will pursue a PhD in the University of Pennsylvania’s natural language processing group. There, Allen plans to conduct research on social and multimodal AI systems for human-machine interactions.
2024 Knight-Hennessy Scholarship
The Knight-Hennessy Scholars program cultivates a diverse, multidisciplinary community of emerging leaders from around the world and guides them to collaborate, innovate, and communicate as they prepare to address the complex challenges facing society. Knight-Hennessy Scholars become part of a supportive family of fellow scholars. Through the King Global Leadership Program, scholars will broaden knowledge, develop skills, and strengthen character. Knight-Hennessy Scholars also receive funding to pursue graduate study at Stanford University.
Isha Sanghvi, from Fremont, California, is pursuing an MD at Stanford School of Medicine. She graduated from the University of Southern California (USC) in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience and a minor in social entrepreneurship. She aspires to become a physician-innovator who utilizes human-centered design, medicine, and entrepreneurship to build accessible tools in the overlooked spaces of women’s health and trauma-informed care. While at USC, Isha co-created Secure Remedy, a social enterprise which developed a wearable medication pouch to prevent medication theft for individuals experiencing homelessness and chronic health conditions. Motivated by her time as a California peer counselor for Los Angeles residents experiencing sexual violence, Isha joined the Valera Lab at Massachusetts General Hospital and co-led a study documenting the stories of women who sustained traumatic brain injuries from intimate partner violence. Isha was recognized as USC’s Class of 2023 university valedictorian and Brittingham Social Enterprise Labs’ Social Impact Scholar.
2024 Schwarzman Scholars
Schwarzman Scholars is a one-year, fully-funded master’s program at Tsinghua University in Beijing, designed to build a global community of future leaders who will strengthen understanding between China and the rest of the world.
Amina Shafeek-Horton will graduate in May 2024 with three international business degrees from the University of Southern California, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and Bocconi University in Milan, Italy through the World Bachelor in Business program. She has led an equal opportunity initiative with Women of Color Advancing Peace and Security. Amina is fluent in Mandarin and has worked with the United Nations Foundation’s Council of Women World Leaders, the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace as a Carnegie China Young Ambassador. After earning her Master’s in Global Affairs at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China Amina plans to pursue a career in foreign policy development, government affairs, and diplomacy.
Marshall Student Named 2024 Schwarzman Scholar
2023-2024 CSPC Presidential Fellows Program
One USC student is selected annually by the University for the CSPC Presidential Fellows Program, a year-long program to complete research relating to the study of the U.S. Presidency and Congress. Fellows also participate in three-day leadership conferences in Washington, D.C. during the Fall and Spring semesters.
Nivea Krishnan will graduate May 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Public Policy and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. Nivea was nominated as the University’s CSPC Presidential Fellow in August 2023.