Foundation Fellows Annual Report, 2010-2011 by Morehead Honors College

Foundat ion Fellows & R a mse y Honor s Schol ar s 2 0 1 0 - 2 0 11 A n n u a l R e p o r t

THE ENDOWED FELLOWSHIP S

Philip Alston Fellows

Bernard Ramsey Endowed Fellows

Megan Nicole Unger ’13

Victoria Suzanne Akin ’12

Saptarsi Mukhopadhyay ’12

Lawrence William White ’13

Juliet Elizabeth Allan ’12

Bryn Elise Murphy ’12

Jaime Elizabeth Ayers ’12

Muktha Sundar Natrajan ’11

Eugene Black Fellows

Sara Thomas Black ’14

Clara Marina Nibbelink ’14

Matthew Henry Levenson ’11

Arthur Julian Booker ’12

Todd Warren Pierson ’13

Addison Von Wright ’13

Juan Carlos Cardoza-Oquendo ’12

Rachel Hannah Pocock ’11

Jesse Yuen-Fu Chan ’14

Derek Anthony Ponticelli ’13

Carlyle Fraser Fellows

Stephanie Lee Chapman ’11

Sabrina Ann Ragaller ’11

Patrick Joseph Fitzmaurice, Jr. ’12

Sara De La Torre Berón ’13

Jacob Hunter Rooney ’12

Joshua Hamilton Gloster ’12

Ryan Michael Friday ’11

Robert Nalls Rosenbleeth ’11

Ryan Patrick McLynn ’13

Lucy Fu ’11

Matthew Wyatt Saltz ’13

Smitha Ganeshan ’14

Henry Louis Schwartz ’12

Vera Milner Fellow

Joseph Elliott Gerber ’14

Matthew Richard Sellers ’12

Katherine Sara Cuadrado ’11

Katherine Geales Goodwin ’11

Rachel Claire Sellers ’14

Philip Joseph Grayeski ’14

Blake Elizabeth Shessel ’14

Winship Nunnally Fellows

Anisha Ramchandra Hegde ’14

Anuj Atul Shukla ’12

Morgann Ashley Lyles ’12

William Taylor Henry ’14

Robert Darnell Sinyard III ’11

Bethany Cotten McCain ’13

Dana Lynn Higgins ’12

Alexander David Squires ’11

Marcus Jamel Hines ’11

William Harry Stephenson ’12

Martha Nunnally Fellow

Mir Mohamed Inaamullah ’11

Jeremiah Hudson Stevens ’14

Reuben Arthur Reynolds ’13

Anne Helene Karam ’11

Joseph Robert Stunzi ’12

Hillary Dolores Kingsley ’12

Claire Elizabeth Underwood ’11

William Morris, John White

Paul Alexander Kirschenbauer ’14

Jacqueline Van De Velde ’14

Ramsey, and Charlotte &

Logan Hunter Krusac ’12

Kishore Pavan Vedala ’14

Claude Williams Fellow

Xiaofeng Li ’11

Hemali Prakash Vin ’12

Brittany Anne Young ’13

John Benjamin Marshall ’11

Thomas Matthew Ward ’12

Aaron Bartow Marshburn ’11

Tracy Jane Yang ’11

Calley Aileen Mersmann ’11

Sheena Shiyi Zhang ’11

David Richman Millard ’14

David Michael Zweig ’12

Tatum Danielle Mortimer ’12 Luke Hensley Mosley ’12 Phillip Charles Mote ’11

t o r e p

R n n u a l

Thomas W. Lawhorne, Jr. Columbus, GA William N. Searcy Savannah, GA

a r c h o l

The Foundation Fellows Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Benefits and Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 National Recognition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Research and Conferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Civic Engagement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Mary Lou Crawford Swift Columbus, GA

Lisa Ann Coole Award . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

Jane Seddon Willson Albany, GA

Jessica B. Hunt Scholarships Coordinator Margaret S. McCullers Program Administrator Rebecca S. Cheney Graduate Assistant

Civic Engagement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

Academic Enrichment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72 Research and Conferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

i o n

David S. Williams Director

o u n d a t

PROGRAM STAFF

Ramsey Honors Scholarship Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

Travel-Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 Internships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

Steven W. Smith Atlanta, GA

e l

Internships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Travel-Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Academic Enrichment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Faculty Mentors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

l o w

Stephen W. Smith Atlanta, GA

A James L. LaBoon, Jr. Athens, GA

Julie Ewing Hunt Tifton, GA

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

o n o r

Joseph C. Frierson, Jr. Athens, GA

CON T EN T S

Marcus Fechheimer Athens, GA

David E. Boyd, Chair Atlanta, GA

m s e

FOUNDATION FELLOWS TRUSTEE COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Foundation Fellows & R amse y Honors Schol ars Annual Report

The Foundation Fellowship is indisputably a tremendous benefit to the students who receive the award, given the range of academic, service, and travel opportunities it affords. But more and more I have come to see it as a benefit to the entire campus because it elevates the academic environment to levels UGA could not have imagined in the past. In many ways, the program has helped realize a vision that many have shared and supported â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a vision of a southern public university transformed into one of Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best. We are deeply in their debt. Michael F. Adams, President The University of Georgia

Foundation Fellows and Ramsey Scholars represent the very best of the next generation. Each has an exemplary record in areas related to academic performance and accomplishments. Yet perhaps their most impressive individual trait does not show up on paper. Having the opportunity to work closely with these exceptional individuals, I know that they all have a great heart. It is one thing to possess intellectual gifts. It is quite another thing to use those gifts in service to others. Daily that is what I see Fellows and Ramseys doing. David S. Williams, Associate Provost and Director Honors and Foundation Fellows Programs The University of Georgia

Foundation Fellows & R amse y Honors Schol ars Annual Report

T A T

The Foundation Fellows Program seeks to foster a community of scholars and leaders by providing intellectual, cultural, and service opportunities in an environment conducive to learning and personal growth through shared knowledge and experience.

The trustees of The University of Georgia Foundation are convinced that the Foundation Fellowship is the best program of its kind in the country, bringing exceptional students to campus and supporting them as they grow beyond it to impact local, national, and global communities. Graduating Fellows and Ramseys garner some of the most prestigious scholarships in the country and earn placements within top graduate programs and leading companies. They make us very proud. Â David Boyd, Chairperson Foundation Fellows Committee The University of Georgia Foundation

Foundation Fellows & R amse y Honors Schol ars Annual Report

T H E F O U N DAT I O N F E L L O W S P R O G R A M Enhanced educational experience for academically outstanding undergraduates

In addition to the obvious scholastic benefits, the Foundation Fellows Program emphasizes fellowship, sharing

UGA’s Premier Undergraduate Scholarship Program Founded in 1972 by The University of Georgia Foundation’s trustees, the Foundation Fellows Program is the University’s foremost undergraduate scholarship, placing students in a community of similarly dedicated scholars, offering a stipend that approximates the cost of attendance, a post-first-year Maymester study abroad program, individual travelstudy grants, group travel-study opportunities each spring, research and academic conference grants, dinner seminars with some of the University’s best minds, and a mentoring plan that matches Fellows with professors who share their interests. Shannon Hiller, FF Alumna ’08, Princeton in Asia Fellow, National

of resources and

Democratic Institute for International Affairs, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

ideas, and lifelong

Foundation Fellowship my senior year of college, I had little idea I would

“When I traveled to Cambodia to conduct research through the return to live and work in the same country two years later! Countless

friendships. Peer mentoring, dinner seminars, cultural events, annual retreats, the Fellows Library

aspects of the Fellowship program prepared me to pursue a career in international development with confidence and success – internship, travel, cross-cultural exchange, and the flexibility of graduating debt free. I never expected to draw so easily, however, on the growing network of FF alumni and true friends sharing job opportunities, experience, and encouragement from around the world.”

Beyond Campus the First Year Beyond campus, the opportunities for academic and personal enrichment

in Moore College,

stretch around the globe. Group travel is a hallmark of the Foundation

and group travel

to New York City and Washington, DC – where they interact with titans

Fellows Program as first-year Fellows take an annual spring break trip of policy, government, law, finance, public health, and theater. They

promote a sense of community among the Fellows.

also enjoy a month-long Maymester sojourn to England to take classes at Oxford University, where the UGA at Oxford Program has its own residential facility.

Foundation Fellows & R amse y Honors Schol ars Annual Report

Beyond Campus the Second, Third, and Fourth Years Group Travel As they advance in their academic careers, Fellows take part in fully funded spring international travelstudy programs designed by senior faculty that come complete with pre-trip seminars and faculty talks. In recent years, Fellows have been part of travel-study programs in Costa Rica, Fiji, the Galápagos Islands, Germany, India, Jordan, and South Korea. Addison Wright ’12 “More than once as I trekked through the Costa Rican cloud forest with some of my best friends, hoping for a glimpse of a snake or frog and knowing that the next early morning promised a breakfast of local coffee and rice and beans, or looked out at Arenal Volcano, its peak rising above the dense green only to become shrouded in clouds, I had to stop and think to myself that this was all actually happening. It was incredible in the most literal sense of the word.” Individual Travel In addition, students receive individual travel grants to pursue their own areas of professional and academic interest, and they are eligible for academic research and conference grants to conduct facultydirected research, attend and make presentations at professional conferences, and advance their career goals through internships. Luke Mosley ’12 “After three years of being involved with the Foundation Fellowship, I am still staggered when I step back and look at the opportunities this program has afforded me. I spent three weeks in Tanzania, working with a variety of orphanages and schools and plunging fully into the East African culture. I climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro, which at 19,314 ft. is aptly called the Roof of Africa. I spent a month volunteering with an AIDS hospice situated in one of South Africa’s most HIV-affected areas. I joined people from every corner of the earth in the excitement of Africa’s first World Cup. I stayed in Mumbai, India for a month interning in a number of government and private clinics, hospitals, and leprosariums while conducting research into the health care system 8

of India and public health measures to eradicate tuberculosis. And all of that was in one summer. Out of the unparalleled possibilities of the Fellowship, incredible students and leaders will naturally emerge.”

UGA Honors Program Complementing the Foundation Fellows Program is UGA’s Honors Program, one of the oldest and most respected programs in the country. Established in 1960, the program provides some 2,300 students with the resources—including 300 Honors classes a year with an average class size of 17 students, expert advice from Honors and faculty advisors, participation in graduate courses, independent research opportunities, internships, lunchbox lectures and book discussions with faculty, and coveted spots in the Myers Hall residential community—to make the most of their higher education experience. Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities An important component of the Honors Program is the Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities (CURO), which pairs students with research faculty on investigatory projects that augment classroom study and provide important research-related experience that can help meet the demands of graduate or professional school, or those of any contemporary career. Undergraduate research opportunities abound across the curriculum, from laboratory science to the humanities and fine arts. Civic Engagement and Professional Opportunities The Honors Program affords numerous opportunities for local, national, and global civic engagement, including the Roosevelt Institution, a student-run think tank. Housed in Honors, Roosevelt@UGA opens doors for students to interact with local city officials beyond the “four walls” of campus to help community residents with key areas of concern. Roosevelt students work with Athens officials and the OneAthens Campaign to give voice to those living in poverty. Promote Africa, another student-run organization housed in the Honors Program, partners students and patrons with Namibian artists and

Foundation Fellows & R amse y Honors Schol ars Annual Report

musicians to promote African culture and with community development partners to foster social empowerment and economic development. Foundation Fellows form the student selection committee of the prestigious Delta Prize for Global Understanding, whose past recipients have included Dr. ElBaradei, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency; Sadako Ogata, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees; and former South African President Nelson Mandela. The Corsair Society provides a support network for The University of Georgiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top undergraduate

students who are interested in exploring career opportunities in commerce, facilitates productive discussion between University graduates involved in related fields, and fosters a collaborative environment that will promote advancement of the Societyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s members and the University as a whole. Each summer, the Honors Internship Program sends students to live and work in New York, Savannah, and Washington, DC. Internship placements include congressional offices, government agencies, think tanks, media companies, law firms, and nonprofit organizations. 9

Foundation Fellows & R amse y Honors Schol ars Annual Report

Lucas Puente, FF Alumnus ’09, PhD Candidate, Stanford University, Dept. of Political Science “My experience at UGA as a Foundation Fellow was one unrivaled by my current peers in graduate school. Having the opportunities to travel extensively, develop close relationships with toptier faculty, and be in a constantly stimulating intellectual environment prepared me immensely well for pursuing a PhD in Political Science.” Scholarships Office Among the on-campus benefits provided to Fellows is access to Honors staff members, including the Scholarships Coordinator, who provides important counsel for a variety of pursuits, including interview

practice, finding the best scholarship vehicle for postgraduate study, and developing personal statements, resumes, and research proposals for scholarship and postgraduate applications. Not surprisingly, Fellows have been extraordinarily successful in national scholarship competitions.

Entering Class Profile The average SAT score for the incoming class of Foundation Fellows was 1559, and the average ACT score was 35. The Fellows’ high school grade point average was 4.2 on a 4.0 scale, which indicates extra points for Advance Placement courses.

FOUNDATION FELLOWSHIP: BENEFITS AND REQUIREMENTS Benefits n

Participation in a community of young scholars who stimulate each other’s intellectual and personal development through exchange of ideas and experiences

Annual stipend of approximately $9,000 (plus the HOPE Scholarship, if eligible) for in-state students and $15,700 (plus an out-of-state tuition waiver) for out-of-state students

Three fully funded spring travel-study programs (first through third years)

One fully funded summer study abroad program to Oxford, England immediately following the first year

Separate grants for individual travel-study up to a cumulative total of $7,500

Separate research and academic conference grants up to a cumulative total of $1,750

Special seminars and book discussions with UGA and visiting professors and other persons of note

Requirements n

To maintain a minimum 3.50 cumulative UGA Undergraduate GPA, to take a minimum 12 hours per semester (except summer), to be in good standing in the Honors Program, and to complete the Honors thesis or other capstone requirement for graduation with High or Highest Honors

To contribute to the campus and/or local community, to value the Fellowship, and to use Fellowship opportunities wisely to advance academic and professional goals

To exhibit the highest standards of personal behavior and, at a minimum, to abide by the University’s student conduct regulations, academic honesty policy, and sexual harassment policy

To attend our annual retreats, the post-freshman year study abroad program, pre-departure spring travel-study seminars and spring break trips, and the year-end graduation banquet

To submit 300-500 word reports upon completion of Fellows-supported travel-study, research, and academic conference participation

To graduate from the Fellowship and the University in a timely fashion, usually within four years

Faculty and peer mentoring

Foundation Fellows & R amse y Honors Schol ars Annual Report

N AT I O N A L R E CO G N I T I O N Rhodes, Gates Cambridge, Mitchell, Goldwater, Udall, and more! Fellows and Ramseys were in the spotlight for several national and international awards this year. Tracy Yang FF ’11, 2011 Rhodes Scholar and 2010 Truman Scholar When Foundation Fellow Tracy Yang traveled to Atlanta last October to interview for the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship, she had two things working in her favor. Tracy – who graduated from UGA in May with a degree in anthropology – was more than familiar with Oxford, England. She spent a month there in 2008 with other first-year Fellows in the program’s inaugural Oxford Maymester. “I think it helped me because I had a concrete idea of what to expect, even if I only got a taste of the rigor of the courses and what the scheduling was like,” said Tracy, whose future plans include attending Johns Hopkins Medical School upon her return from Oxford. And as the former recipient of a Truman Scholarship, the Macon native was more than prepared for the detailed interview she had with the Rhodes committee. “Going for the Truman prepared me a great deal for the Rhodes experience because the Truman interviews are also very challenging,” Tracy said of the public service and leadership scholarship she won as a third-year student. Tracy was one of 32 undergraduates across the nation to be named a 2011 Rhodes Scholar and was the only student from Georgia to receive the honor that year. She is UGA’s 22nd Rhodes Scholar and the third UGA female to win the scholarship since 1976, the first year women were eligible to apply. Before Tracy, UGA’s most recent recipients were Foundation Fellows Deep Shah and Kate Vyborny in 2008. With her previous Oxford experience still fresh in her mind, Tracy looks forward to the academic challenges that await her as she pursues an MSc in medical anthropology next year through Oxford’s Balliol College: “The structure of seminars and tutorials is very different from the American system. 12

It allows you time to reflect on what you’re studying and also the way that you conceptualize problems, information, and material.” With aspirations to become a physician-policy analyst, Tracy has concentrated her research as well as her local and international involvement on efforts to address public health disparities and to improve access to services. She spent the summer of 2010 interning for the Greater New York Hospital Association and in 2008 participated in the Nathan Schnaper Cancer Research Intern Program. As a sophomore, Tracy conducted research on the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi under the guidance of Rick Tarleton, Distinguished Research Professor in Cellular Biology. The parasite, which causes Chagas disease, has infected approximately 18 million people in Latin America. Abroad, Tracy studied in Australia and Guatemala and traveled to Nicaragua, working with medical personnel who provide health services to residents through community hospitals or home visits. Closer to home, Tracy has worn several hats as part of UGA’s chapter of the Roosevelt Institute, a student-run think tank and policy organization located on 75 college campuses, and she served as an editor for the University’s Journal for Undergraduate Research Opportunities, an online undergraduate research journal. In the local community, she interned with the Athens Health Network and mentored young students in Athens-Clarke County. For her part, Tracy said she is grateful for the encouragement and assistance she’s received as an Honors student and Foundation Fellow. “Faculty and staff are really interested in seeing every student pursue what makes him or her happy. It might not be big-name scholarships, but it doesn’t mean any less. That has meant so much to me and my peers, and it’s something very special about UGA. I’ve had the honor of working with some amazing faculty through the years, and I’ve never felt like I was angled to do this or go after that scholarship. It’s always been, Well, what are you interested in doing?”

Foundation Fellows & R amse y Honors Schol ars Annual Report

Muktha Natrajan FF ’11, 2011 Gates Cambridge Scholar, NSF Graduate Fellow, NIH Oxford-Cambridge Scholar, 2010 Udall Scholar, 2009 Goldwater Scholar Muktha Natrajan led the field this year, earning a Gates Cambridge Scholarship, a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, and a National Institutes of Health Oxford–Cambridge Scholarship. These awards will facilitate the next steps on Muktha’s path toward becoming a researcher and policy analyst at the National Institutes of Health. With the funding and professional opportunities provided by these awards, Muktha will pursue a PhD in neuroscience next year, combining her interests in neuroscience and the environment by studying the effects of extrinsic factors on neural cell growth and development. The Gates Cambridge Scholarship, established a decade ago through a $210 million gift from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, offers recipients who reside outside the United Kingdom the opportunity to pursue graduate studies at the University of Cambridge. The scholarship program aims to build a global network of future leaders committed to improving the lives of others. Muktha is among a group of 30 U.S. recipients selected for this highly competitive award and is the fifth UGA student to receive the award since 2001. The NIH Oxford–Cambridge Scholars Program provides accelerated, individualized training for doctoral students in the sciences. Students in this fully funded program are matched with two research mentors – one at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland and one at either Oxford University or Cambridge University in the United Kingdom. Students conduct research in both locations during their PhD. The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship is for doctoral students who are pursuing research-based graduate studies in mathematics, science, and engineering. Students may apply their NSF funding to any academic institution. This is the third year that Muktha has garnered national recognition for her academic achievements.

In 2010, Muktha received a Morris K. Udall Scholarship, a national award that recognizes sophomores and juniors who are pursuing careers focused on environmental or Native American issues. She was also a 2009 recipient of the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship, a prominent national award for undergraduates in math, science, and engineering. Muktha began her undergraduate career as a CURO Apprentice, conducting stem cell research in the lab of Dr. Steve Stice, a Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar. Since then, she has conducted research for eleven weeks in China on an NSF grant and participated in the Summer Undergraduate Research Program in New York University Medical Center’s neurobiology department. She has spearheaded efforts for campus sustainable solutions through the Go Green Alliance, served as inaugural director of environmental program implementation for Promote Africa, attended the 2009 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Copenhagen as a non-governmental organization delegate, and interned with the World Health Organization in Namibia. Betsy Katz Ramsey Scholar ’09, 2011 Mitchell Scholar Betsy Katz, a 2009 graduate and Ramsey Scholar, was one of 12 national recipients of a 2011-2012 George J. Mitchell Scholarship, sponsored by the U.S.-Ireland Alliance. She plans to pursue a master’s degree in intercultural studies at Dublin City University in Ireland. This is the third consecutive year that a UGA student has been named a Mitchell Scholar. The one-year postgraduate fellowship covers studies in any discipline offered by institutions in Ireland and Northern Ireland. Betsy, who earned bachelor’s degrees in mathematics, Spanish, and religion from UGA, taught secondary mathematics in California as a Teach for America participant for two years after graduation. Betsy’s commitment to teaching, service-learning, and civic engagement influenced her research and 13

Foundation Fellows & R amse y Honors Schol ars Annual Report

community involvement during her undergraduate career. In summer 2008, she was one of eight participants working with mathematics faculty at the University of North Carolina, Asheville through the National Science Foundation’s Research Experiences for Undergraduates. In spring 2009, she presented her Honors thesis research at UGA’s annual CURO Symposium. Her research, entitled “Translating ‘the Jews’ in the Fourth Gospel,” was chosen as an example of outstanding undergraduate work and published in the “Best of CURO 2009” issue of UGA’s Journal for Undergraduate Research Opportunities, an online undergraduate research journal for the arts, humanities, and social sciences. Betsy served as a Spanish-English interpreter and tutor for the Clarke County School District and as an ESOL teacher, developing and teaching curriculum through Casa de Amistad, a service organization that helps underserved Hispanic populations in Athens. She also volunteered as a Spanish translator at Mercy Health Center, a medical clinic for the uninsured in Athens, and as a tutor for middle school students. Betsy took her service-learning spirit abroad and volunteered at an assisted living facility through the UGA en Buenos Aires program in Argentina in fall 2006 and also worked as an ESOL teacher in Mexico in the summers of 2009 and 2010.

Aaron Marshburn, FF ’11, DAAD Scholar Aaron Marshburn earlier this year received a Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst (DAAD) Scholarship to spend six weeks at Freie Universität Berlin’s International Center for Journalism. To gain insight into the perspectives and positions at play in 21st century geopolitics, Aaron joined more than a dozen other German-speaking American journalism students over the summer to develop their academic awareness of the politics, society, and culture of Germany, as well as the media structure and working conditions for journalists in that country. 14

The program also placed him for five weeks as a metro reporter at Die Welt/Berliner Morgenpost, where he published articles and contributed reporting to several major stories on topics as varied as a bacterial outbreak in the Spandau District water supply to ongoing campaigns for local elections to the 51st German-American Festival, a longstanding Berlin tradition. “Writing and researching in German was a daily challenge,” Aaron says, “but that’s part of what made the job so satisfying.” He approaches intercultural communication with the perspective that “everyone has a story to tell. It doesn’t matter how old they are, rich or poor, educated or not – there is something you can learn from every single person in the world,” says Aaron, who in May earned degrees in journalism and international affairs from UGA. Besides working a part-time job at CNN’s Idea Lab in Atlanta, Aaron has taken a hands-on foreign correspondents course in Prague, worked as a volunteer for special-needs children at a camp in South Africa, and has had travel-study stints in Cambodia, Costa Rica, England, Fiji, and Thailand. “Cultural understanding is about reaching peak moments of existence that break down the barriers separating one person from another,” says Aaron, who in 2010 was honored by UGA’s Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication as a McGill Fellow. “From the refugee camps along the troubled Thai-Burma border to Xhosa primary schools in the rough townships of South Africa’s eastern cape, I’ve spent every summer learning to tell stories that matter.” The program that perhaps had the most impact on Aaron’s interest in international journalism was the 11-day foreign correspondents course he took in Prague, where he “toured Radio Free Europe and engaged in focused discussions with international media professionals representing The New York Times and The Economist, among others,” he says. “In the second part of the course, I planned and executed a piece of original reportage about the issues surrounding the prospective expansion of the Temelin Nuclear Power Plant near the Austrian border.” In addition to the UGA Foundation Fellowship and the McGill Fellowship, Aaron was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa and Blue Key Honor Society and won a grant to attend the Asian American Journalists Association National Convention in 2010.

Foundation Fellows & R amse y Honors Schol ars Annual Report

Fellow Tori Akin ’12 and Honors students Michael Burel and Amar Mirza were awarded 2011 Barry M. Goldwater Scholarships, given to undergraduates who have outstanding potential and intend to pursue careers in mathematics, the natural sciences, or engineering. Akin began her research activities in epidemiology modeling after her freshman year at UGA, working under the guidance of epidemiologist and statistician Andreas Handel in UGA’s College of Public Health. She created a computer program that simulates the progression of influenza, gathering data to support more efficient production of antiviral drugs. Since fall 2010, she has been involved in numerical analysis research with mathematics professor Jason Cantarella. Fellow JoyEllen Freeman ’13 was one of 40 college students selected to participate in the 2011 Student Freedom Ride, a civil rights history bus tour sponsored by PBS’s American Experience series. Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 1961 Freedom Rides, the May 6-16 trip kicked off in Washington, DC and covered eight southern states. Students on the tour documented their experiences through blogs, online videos, and social media. Fellow Todd Pierson ’13 was one of 80 recipients of the national Morris K. Udall award, which recognizes sophomores and juniors who are pursuing careers in environmental or Native American issues. With the goal of combining a research and teaching career focused on ecological conservation, Todd has been conducting amphibian ecology research since he started at UGA. He has worked in the laboratory of John Maerz in UGA’s Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources and worked as a researcher, web designer, and photographer under the guidance of John Pickering in UGA’s Odum School of Ecology.

Many other Foundation Fellows, Ramsey Scholars, and Honors Program students were awarded scholarships this year. Fellow Jaime Ayers ’12 received a Freeman Asia Internship to Indonesia. Fellow Elizabeth Allan ’12 and Ramseys Aisha Mahmood ’12 and Samantha Gray ’12 received Critical Language Scholarships to study languages important for U.S. national security. Allan, an international affairs/ economics/Arabic major who is also pursuing a master’s in international policy, studied Arabic in Morocco this summer. Mahmood, a biochemistry and Chinese major, studied Mandarin in China. Gray, a studio art and Japanese major, studied Japanese in Japan. The Honors scholarships office, which oversees the Foundation Fellows and Ramsey Scholars, assists current students with applications for these national and international awards, as well as with applications for graduate and professional schools.

Jaime Ayers

Elizabeth Allan

Aisha Mahmood

Samantha Gray

Foundation Fellows & R amse y Honors Schol ars Annual Report

FA C U LT Y M E N T O R S Mentoring from premier faculty members is a hallmark of the Foundation Fellowship. From the moment they arrive on campus, Fellows build meaningful relationships with professors across disciplines, contributing to their development as scholars, researchers, and global citizens.

Loch Johnson, Regents Professor of International Affairs “One of the joys of teaching at The University of Georgia is the chance to associate with Foundation Fellows, whom I view more as academic colleagues than undergraduate students. In the classroom, at dinner seminars, over coffee – wherever we meet, intellectual sparks fly and we learn from each other. Gratifying, too, is the opportunity to work oneon-one, Oxford-style, with Fellows in strengthening their research papers. Three cheers for the Foundation Fellows Program!” Aaron Marshburn ’11 “John Greenman, Professor of Journalism, has been an academic advisor and personal friend during the past four years. He wrote one of my recommendation letters for the DAAD German media program I was accepted to, nominated me as a Grady McGill Fellow recognizing twelve of the most exceptional students in the journalism department, and sponsored the undergraduate research I completed in Southeast Asia in 2009. When John emailed me asking if he could include my experiences traveling and writing as a college student in a book he is writing (On the Road with Serious Intent), it was one of the greatest honors I’ve received in college. After working with him closely over the years and soliciting his advice during times of need, I was proud to know he thought my growth as a journalist and a person was interesting enough for others to learn from.” Bethany McCain ’13 “Having a close relationship with faculty is a tremendous asset. During my senior year of high school, in the midst of applications and admissions interviews, a friend already in college told me about the benefit of having accessible professors, but I had no real concept of how vital this would be until I started school here. UGA professors are dynamic individuals, and it is amazing that they carve so much time out of their schedules to share their expertise and advice with undergraduates.” Phil Grayeski ’14 “In addition to my research mentors, Dr. Mark Eiteman and Dr. Yajun Yan in the bioengineering department, I have benefited from the mentoring of Dr. Janet Westpheling and Dr. Daniel Promislow in the genetics department. Speaking with Dr. Westpheling in her office and having lunch with Dr. Promislow lifts the stress off of my shoulders. As mentors, they put the entire jumble that is college into perspective and help me figure out what is important to me. Soon enough, I feel like I have direction, and I know what are the right steps to take to end up exactly where I want to be.”

Foundation Fellows & R amse y Honors Schol ars Annual Report

Anisha Hegde ’14 “My mentors are constantly encouraging me to push the limits of creativity, whether that be attempting to write a book, becoming more proficient in the art of scientific inquiry, or finding new story ideas for the Red & Black. They have provided a solid support system through which my goals seem more feasible and have afforded me wonderful opportunities even as a first-year.” Rachel Pocock ’11 “As a professor, Dr. Sylvia Hutchinson stimulated my interests in the field of health care and forced me to think critically about the challenges facing doctors in our country. Through her role as my mentor, she encouraged me to explore and consider my personal interests and helped me to ultimately choose a career path that suited my passions.” Smitha Ganeshan ’14 “Dr. Lemons was my professor in Introduction to Anthropology and Introduction to Religious Thought. His charisma and encouragement have made him an incredible

mentor. Under his guidance I’ll be conducting anthropology research on the role of religion and culture in the development of first generation Indian American students attending public universities in the U.S. and their counterparts in India. A fiveminute meeting about a project easily turns into an hour-long discussion about the role of cultural assumptions in our ability to internalize another culture.” Dana Higgins ’12 “Dr. Brock Tessman in international affairs is a research collaborator, professor, and mentor. The faculty sponsor of Georgia Grand Strategy, he is the instructor of one of my favorite classes, directed several semesters of individual research, and has served as my personal mentor for several years. He is always there to provide advice on managing a busy college life or planning for future studies and careers. The decision to ask Dr. Tessman to be my mentor has been the best of my college years.”

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Jesse Chan ’14 “I’ve had enlightening discussions with Dr. David Harvey in the School of Accounting about latest trends in accounting research and practice. There is more to accounting than just numbers and computational skills – there are a lot of behavioral considerations and psychological aspects of accountancy.” Matt Sellers ’12 “Dr. McCaskill in the English department is guiding me through the complicated process of obtaining a BA/MA in English, and her scholarship’s political significance informs my interest in multiculturalism and multicultural curricula. Her work on William and Ellen Craft, the Civil Rights Digital Library Initiative, and the Freedom on Film project inspires me to generate culturally aware and significant projects to break down racial barriers and combat the achievement gap.” Tatum Mortimer ’12 “Dr. Sanchez, my undergraduate research mentor in the College of Veterinary Medicine’s Department of Infectious Diseases, has pushed me to think about my research 18

critically as well as write an article that will hopefully be published. I can easily talk with Dr. Sanchez about my personal and professional goals.” Clara Nibbelink ’14 “Dr. Maria Navarro has been a crucial mentor for me since I took her Reflections on Fighting Global Hunger class. She has provided much guidance and support, and we are in the early stages of planning an Honors Interdisciplinary Major in international development with a focus on women’s empowerment. Having Dr. Navarro as a mentor has taught me volumes about the complex problems of poverty, how to address them from an interdisciplinary perspective, and what it means to be a person of service.” Joe Gerber ’14 “Discussing with Dr. Schaefer his perspective on the compatible, and even complementary, roles of science and faith furthered my understanding of the epistemological background of modern society. Beyond his brilliance, I found him to be a true friend who was willing to do all he could to help this out-of-state freshman feel at home in

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Georgia, not the least of which included the dinner he had at his home for all of us in his freshman seminar at the end of the semester.” Kishore Vedala ’14 “As a freshman who has a wide variety of interests and doesn’t exactly know how to combine them or which ones to pursue, my faculty mentors – Dr. Scott Atkinson in the economics department and Dr. Lance Wells and Dr. Carl Bergmann in the Complex Carbohydrate Research Center – have been instrumental in helping me along my college career.” Megan Unger ’13 “Dr. Sanchez has been a fantastic mentor. I have a good level of independent discovery in my research, but Dr. Sanchez always has helpful advice and suggestions for improvement. This style of guided freedom creates a great learning environment because it forces me to think critically about a question but then allows me to verify my answers through collaboration.”

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ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT For Fellows, learning

Leadership Forum with UGA Alumna Gina Drosos, Group President of Global Beauty, Procter & Gamble

extends beyond the classroom. Top faculty from departments across campus, industry leaders, visiting scholars, and Foundation Fellows alumni lead activities for academic enrichment and networking throughout the year. Fellows are also provided with funding to attend enrichment events sponsored by other organizations. Some activities take place on campus, while others may take place in professors’ homes, restaurants, or theatres.

Calley Mersmann ’11 “As a senior pondering my future after graduation, breakfast with UGA alumna Gina Drosos left me feeling refreshed and inspired. We discussed everything from how to balance work and family to the social responsibilities of corporations. Her enthusiasm and personal investment in her work were contagious, making me consider career options I had previously discarded. The conviction and candor with which she spoke opened my eyes to the potential of one person to positively affect the culture and direction of a multinational corporation such as Procter & Gamble.”

America as a Global Godfather: Murder as an Instrument of U.S. Foreign Policy with Dr. Loch Johnson, Regents Professor and Josiah Meigs Distinguished Teaching Professor of Public and International Affairs Ryan Friday ’11 “While the Fellowship extends its recipients a number of truly incredible opportunities, perhaps one of the most significant is the opportunity to interact with some of the nation’s most distinguished academics in a group size that really allows students to tackle issues on a deeper level than most classrooms would allow. Being a guest in Dr. Loch Johnson’s home to discuss the CIA and some of the intelligence-gathering strategies employed by our federal government was not only extremely relevant to world events (and for that matter, our daily lives), but also offered the chance to take a more analytical, measured look at the concepts of justice and liberty. Our world is constantly changing and thus constantly throwing out new challenges for our generation to manage. However, I’d like to think we are better prepared to take them on thanks to the perspective extended by Dr. Johnson and the other amazing faculty members who take time out of their days to mentor students like me.” Joe Gerber ’14 “Dr. Loch Johnson’s dinner seminar on the politics and morality of using assassination as a tool of foreign policy was an incredible opportunity to gain real insight from an extremely learned and esteemed professor on a topic surrounded by misinformation and deception. His wealth of knowledge on

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the subject and warm character toward everyone in the room made the evening highly educational and equally enjoyable.” Elizabeth Allan ’12 “Dr. Johnson is a master in the field of strategic intelligence but also a supreme ethicist on the conduct of U.S. foreign policy. At his home, Dr. Johnson shared his thoughts on a topic that provoked a lively discussion that ranged from plots against Fidel Castro during the Cold War to the use of drones in the current war against terror. I was delighted to have the opportunity to discuss such an important topic with Dr. Johnson, and I continued to ponder the ethical and practical considerations that must go into national security policy for days after the seminar.”

Ecological Change of Global Proportions with Dr. John Gittleman, Dean, Odum School of Ecology Todd Pierson ’13 “Dean Gittleman’s dinner seminar embodied everything the Fellowship is about – a mixed bag of majors, interests, and passions gathered to discuss one of the most pressing issues in our world,

environmental and ecosystem health, with one of the world’s leading experts. It was a refreshing experience to hear optimism about the state of our world from someone who has every reason to be pessimistic.” Sara De La Torre Berón ’13 “Dr. Gittleman’s presentation on the pressing need for conservation laid the groundwork for the animated discussion that took place after his talk. Having the opportunity to discuss the importance of biodiversity with the Dean of the nation’s only stand-alone school of ecology is a privilege and an honor that exemplifies the opportunities made possible by the Foundation Fellowship.”

Halperin & Heilemann’s Game Change with Provost Jere Morehead Hank Schwartz ’12 “Being a math major, I don’t have much classroom time to devote to my interest in politics. Fortunately, Provost Morehead was kind enough to invite Foundation Fellows to his home for a discussion of Game Change. While this book offered a fast-paced, detailed account of the drama 21

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leading up to and surrounding the 2008 election, we were able to elaborate on our own experience and debate the future of national politics. I savored the night of thought-provoking discussion with other political enthusiasts.”

Amy Chua’s Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother with FF Alumnus Yannick Morgan Bethany McCain ’13 “Fellows alum Yannick Morgan led us in a discussion of the sensational new book Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother, which, in the weeks leading up to the discussion, became a fixture in national headlines. It fascinated me to talk about author Amy Chua’s perspective on parenting and to compare it to that of our own parents, especially since we have all grown up to be high-achieving people, like Ms. Chua and her children. As a former student in Professor Chua’s class at Yale Law, Yannick offered us great insight into the character of the author.”

Modern Day Slavery Museum with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers and FF Alumna Emiko Soltis Jeremiah Stevens ’14 “The visit with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers made me remember why I cared so much about similar issues of justice and modern cases of forced labor, and I saw a similar energy in the eyes of the other students. The Coalition’s goal is to better the lot of the agricultural workers in Florida and throughout the Southeast by pressuring buyers and growers, by empowering workers to fight for the respect they deserve, and by helping in efforts to prosecute cases of enslavement and abuse. They are doing good work, and it was an honor to sit down with them.”

Jacqueline Van De Velde ’14 “Sharing in food and conversation with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers was a riveting experience, hearing firsthand from farmworkers the story of their lives, the grueling labor expected of them, and the small compensation they receive in return for hours of backbreaking work. Their message was both heartbreaking and inspiring, as they balanced their stories of oppression with tales of hope and change that was being made in the industry. Seeing that former Fellows are at the forefront of the effort for improvement particularly inspired me, and I am proud to be part of a group that is promoting and creating such admirable social change.”

Jonah Lehrer’s Proust Was a Neuroscientist with FF Alumni Gwen Kaminsky and Kim Wilson Derek Ponticelli ’13 “In a book discussion hosted by FF alums Gwen Kaminsky and Kim Wilson, I found hearing the range of perspectives of future neuroscientists, engineers, and writers particularly enlightening considering that Lehrer based Proust Was a Neuroscientist on the modern divergence of science and art despite past intersections. Listening to how partisans from each side absorbed the text challenged me academically to think about topics absent from my standard math classes.” Clara Nibbelink ’14 “Our discussion developed from the intersections of science and art into a journey through our own lives. Gwen and Kim offered remarkable insight on writing, research, art, college, and living. I found myself feeling incredibly fortunate to be a Fellow, after a night I thought would stop at intellectually stimulating that instead continued into the realms of emotion, creativity, and passion.”

“The discussion perfectly balanced the intellectual curiosity we had about the book and the practical curiosity we had about our futures.” —Muktha Natrajan ’11

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Book Discussions and Seminars 2010-2011 Judith Ortiz Cofer

A Poetry Reading

Cullen Conly*

Working at the Sundance Institute: Supporting Contemporary Filmmaking

Betty Jean Craige

Conversations with Cosmo

Gina Coleman Drosos

Women’s Leadership Forum: Corporate Leadership and Change

John Gittleman

Biodiversity and Macroevolution: Ecological Change of Global Proportions

Geales Goodwin* and Tracy Yang*

Love Is a Mix Tape: Life and Loss, One Song at a Time

Larry Korb

A Former Undersecretary of Defense’s Proposal: Reduce U.S. Military Spending While Shoring Up National and International Security

Grace Elizabeth Hale*

A Nation of Outsiders: How the White Middle Class Fell in Love with Rebellion in Postwar America

Ken Honerkamp

A Spirit of Tolerance: The Inspiring Life of Tierno Bokar

Jessica Hunt*

Franny and Zooey

Loch Johnson

America as a Global Godfather: Murder as an Instrument of U.S. Foreign Policy

Ambassador Zoran Jolevski

The Development of Macedonia after the Fall of Yugoslavia Relative to the European Union and NATO

Gwen Kaminsky* and Kim Wilson*

Proust Was a Neuroscientist

Pam Kleiber

What You Need to Know about Undergraduate Research

Jere Morehead

Game Change: Obama and the Clintons, McCain and Palin, and the Race of a Lifetime

Yannick Morgan*

Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother

Naomi Norman

Archaeological Sites within War Zones and Areas of Conflict

Eric Pohl

21st Century German Immigration Issues and Politics

Joan Prittie

Project Safe: Working to End Domestic Violence

Doris Ramsey

An Evening with Doris Ramsey

Martin Rogers

Eeeee Eee Eeee

Amy Ross

Human Rights and International Justice

Josh Sandler

Banking and Finance Seminar with Barclays Capital

Emiko Soltis*

Traveling Modern Slavery Museum: Coalition of Immokalee Workers

Patricia Sullivan

Counterinsurgency: Historical Evidence, Theory, and Application

David Williams

Evening in the Palace of Reason: Bach Meets Frederick the Great in the Age of Enlightenment

David Williams

Joyce and the G-Men: J. Edgar Hoover’s Manipulation of Modernism

*Foundation Fellow alumni hosts

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In addition to the seminars and discussions listed on page 23, the Fellows Program sponsored attendance at a wide range of cultural and social events throughout the year. Film & Theater – 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Cats, Donald Hollowell: Foot Soldier for Equal Justice, Eco Film Festival, Fresh, Ghost Bird, Hamlet, Howl, Jewish Film Festival, Latin American Film Festival, Legally Blonde, Mama Mia!, Radical Reels, Sweethearts of the Stage, The Arabian Night, The Life & Times of Tulsa Lovechild: A Road Trip, Waiting for Superman Art, Music, Dance & Letters – Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Ballroom Magic, BBC Concert Orchestra, Bela Fleck-Zakir Hussain-Edgar Meyer, Canopy Studio Aerial Dance Performance, Dali Exhibit at the High Museum of Art, DanceFX, EcoTones Performance, Hula Hoop Workshop, Junot Diaz, Opole Philharmonic of Poland, Prelude Dance Ensemble, Promote Africa Battle of the Bands, Punch Brothers, Russian National Ballet Performance of Swan Lake, Skipperdees, Sonia Sanchez, UGA Concert Choir, UGA Idol, UgaPalooza, UGA Percussion Ensemble, UGA Symphony Orchestra Cultural Events, Campus Conferences & Lectures – 50th Anniversary of Desegregation Lecture – Charlayne Hunter-Gault, Asha For Education Garba

Night, Building Bridges in Crisis: Gulf Oil Symposium, Congressman John Lewis, Cultural Reinvention in Germany’s Ruhr District, Darwin Day Festivities, Diwali Dinner and the Night in Saigon Indian Cultural Exchange, Global Educational Forum on Human Health in Global Societies, Roosevelt@UGA Conference, South East Youth Food Activism Summit, Story Telling for Social Justice, Terry College Professional Women’s Conference, UGA Observatory Night, UGA-Oxford Union Debate, Vinson Institute’s Discussion with Russian Deputy Mayors, Working in Public Interest Law Conference, Zamaana Aaj Kal India Night Additional Group Events for the year included preparation meetings for spring travel-study, Big/Little Fellow Mentoring Program, class breakfast meetings, the Delta Prize Committee for Global Understanding, the fall reception with Provost Jere Morehead, fall and winter retreats, the first-year reception with Dr. David Williams, Foundation Fellows Student Advisory Council meetings, the senior graduation banquet, the holiday party drop-in, snow tubing at Stone Mountain, the Interview Weekend student social, and the annual parent reception.

Foundation Fellows & R amse y Honors Schol ars Annual Report

TR AVEL-STUDY

With funding

Graduating Fellows Highlight the Impact of Independent Travel-Study Experiences

for individual travel and group travel-study led by faculty, Foundation Fellows explore both near and far during their four years at The University of Georgia. Along the way, they discover how they fit into the international scene and the role they want to play in the world.

Matt Levenson ’11, Costa Rica, England, Fiji, Jordan, Rwanda, Uganda “The travel opportunities provided by the Foundation Fellowship have greatly enriched my education and professional development. For a student of international affairs, seeing the world firsthand is invaluable. Travel abroad has complemented my undergraduate and graduate studies, from my first summer studying international conflict at Oxford to our most recent spring break trip to Jordan. Studying Middle Eastern politics in a graduate seminar is one thing; discussing it with local Jordanians, in the midst of the Arab Spring and at the onset of the coalition intervention in Libya, is something else. “My specialization is international security, with a geographic focus on Africa. The support provided by the Foundation Fellowship has been instrumental in my academic and professional development in these fields. During the summer of 2010, I spent three months in East Africa, studying the Ugandan civil war and Rwandan genocide. Few undergraduates who study insurgency or genocide get the opportunity to meet former child soldiers or genocide survivors or to observe a post-conflict society in person. These experiences brought an unprecedented concreteness and humanity to the concepts and statistics that we study in international affairs. “In December 2010, I attended the Mass Atrocity Response Operations workshop hosted by the U.S. Army Peacekeeping and Stability Operations Institute, where we discussed how the United States could use its political and military power to prevent or stop atrocities like those witnessed in Uganda and Rwanda. This issue is at the heart of my graduate research and career aims, so learning about the most current theoretical and policy developments from top researchers and practitioners was enlightening and inspiring. Thanks to the Foundation Fellowship, these formative experiences will continue to propel my academic and professional growth as I move on to further graduate studies in the United Kingdom next year.” Lucy Fu ’11, Costa Rica, Ecuador & Galápagos Islands, England, Jordan, Tanzania “With grants from the Foundation Fellowship, I have traveled extensively to Europe, South America, the Middle East, and Africa with contrasting experiences in each. Whether reading modernist literature under the guidance of world-famous Oxford dons or observing the finches that inspired Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution, every moment abroad has taught me new things and opened my eyes to the world we live in. Perhaps the most formative travel experience was my 10-week trip to Tanzania, where I taught HIV/AIDS courses and volunteered in a rural hospital. c o n t i n u e d

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Grants for Individual Travel 2010-2011 Tori Akin Elizabeth Allan Juan Cardoza-Oquendo Stephanie Chapman Sara De La Torre Berรณn JoyEllen Freeman Smitha Ganeshan Camille Gregory Anisha Hegde Dana Higgins Mir Inaamullah Hillary Kingsley Logan Krusac Morgann Lyles Aaron Marshburn Bethany McCain Ryan McLynn Tatum Mortimer

Austria; France; Germany; Greece; Italy; Spain Brisbane, Queensland, and Sydney, Australia Quito, Ecuador Brasstown, NC Paris and Montpellier, France Argentina; Uruguay Lima, Peru Washington, DC Bangalore, Mumbai, New Delhi, India Australia; Italy Brisbane, Queensland, and Sydney, Australia Brevard, NC Harbin, Kunming, and Nanjing, China Montreal, Canada; Washington, DC Prague, Czech Republic Argentina; England; Uruguay Cusco, Peru Alice Springs, Brisbane, Darwin, Great Barrier Reef, Northern Territory, and Sydney, Australia Luke Mosley Irbid, Jordan Rohan Mukhopadhyay London, England Bryn Murphy Botswana; Indonesia; Singapore; South Africa Muktha Natrajan Brisbane, Queensland, and Sydney, Australia Todd Pierson Guatemala; Oman; United Arab Emirates; Arizona, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, New Mexico, and Ohio Derek Ponticelli England; Tanzania Sabrina Ragaller Brisbane, Queensland, and Sydney, Australia Ben Reynolds Cortona, Italy Jacob Rooney Austria; France; Germany; Greece; Italy; Spain Matthew Sellers Oxford, England; Washington, DC Anuj Shukla England; India; South Africa Will Stephenson San Francisco, CA Buck Trible Costa Rica; Nicaragua; Panama Megan Unger Costa Rica; Nicaragua; Savannah, MO Jacqueline Van De Velde Kakumdo Village, Ghana Hemali Vin Brisbane, Australia Thomas Ward Botswana; South Africa Lance White Argentina; Guatemala Addison Wright Dar es Salaam, Tanzania Tracy Yang Alice Springs, Brisbane, Darwin, Great Barrier Reef, Northern Territory, and Sydney, Australia Brittany Young Guatemala; Spain Sheena Zhang Galรกpagos Islands, Ecuador Domestic and international travels are integral parts ofSan theFrancisco, FoundationCA Fellowship. Fellows enjoy unique, David Zweig London, England; immersive learning opportunities all over the world through individual travel grants, spring break group travel-study, and a study abroad Maymester after the first undergraduate year. 28

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“Riding up a mountain road in a rusty dala-dala van, my knees were pressed into the woman sitting opposite from me, trying not to stumble out of the open, sliding door. On our way to Nkoaranga Lutheran Hospital, I was thousands of miles from home, but I was closer than I had ever been to confirming what I wanted to do with my life. Through Global Service Corps, I spent many weeks that summer in Nkoaranga, where my duties at the local village hospital included training the staff to use computers, making beds, dressing wounds, taking blood samples, performing various blood tests, assisting in childbirth, and even assisting with surgeries. “My international experiences strengthened my conviction that pursuing a medical career is the right future for me. Moreover, my time abroad has led me to further appreciate all aspects of life – the traditions, arts, people, and foods of each unique culture. In a time when the face of medicine is changing and physicians must prepare to serve diverse populations,

my experiences through the Foundation Fellowship will prove invaluable for a successful career and all other endeavors.” Trey Sinyard ’11, Costa Rica, England, Fiji, India, Jordan, South Africa, Tanzania “I have no doubt that every college could give me a few pieces of paper declaring my proficiency in certain disciplines and claim that I am educated and prepared for the professional world. But any job worth working (in my mind at least) deals heavily in one commodity – people. Fortunately, while there’s no certificate to vouch for my abilities, the Foundation Fellowship has been instrumental in cultivating social skills I’ve used to connect with the people most different from me on the planet. “Talk to me about ecology and conservation now that I’ve jumped off waterfalls in Fiji and swum through endangered reefs. Talk to me about the scarcity of resources and the burdens of overcrowding 29

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now that I’ve fought for weeks for a spot on the train in India. Talk to me about the politics behind the war in the Middle East now that I’ve broken bread at dinner with Iraqis, Pakistanis, Jordanians, Palestinians and Afghanis. Suddenly the war in Iraq becomes an issue for a close friend – the scarcity of water in a region, a reality in my own life. And once I’ve seen and felt and heard and touched and tasted the hurts, the joys, and the differences of so many places in this world, they become more than words on a page – they become pieces of my heart. These experiences and people will forever shape my career, my actions, my deepest desires, my prayers. That is education. “I carry indelible marks from my experiences abroad. But rightfully and happily so! It’s impossible to go abroad for any significant portion of time and not come back changed. Think about how great this is, though. If you want to change your worldview, go view the world. Try thinking about war after you’ve visited the Normandy cemetery. Try discussing racial issues after you’ve spent time in Nelson Mandela’s cell on Robben Island. Try studying architecture after you’ve seen Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia cathedral in Barcelona. Or try thinking about public transportation in Athens, Georgia after you’ve ridden the trains in Mumbai, India!” Thomas Ward ’12, Wind River Mountain Range, Lander, WY “Last summer I had the opportunity to merge my two life passions – the outdoors and medicine. During my Wilderness EMT course located in the heart of the Wind River Mountain Range in Lander, Wyoming, I learned how to treat dire medical emergencies with only the few supplies found in my backpack. I now have the confidence to know I can save lives hours, if not days, from the nearest hospital.” Elizabeth Allan ’12, Morocco “Over the summer, I spent nine weeks studying Arabic, Islam, and development in Morocco. This experience was perfect for my academic and personal goals. I plan to pursue a career based on development in the Middle East. Morocco gave me the opportunity to improve my Arabic, learn about Arab and Islamic culture, and meet people in the region in which I hope to work.”

Todd Pierson ’13, Guatemala, Oman “Traveling on my own to Guatemala last December, I experienced the biological wonders of the neotropics. This one short trip opened up doors to a return trip this April, an expedition to the Middle East, and also an offer of a graduate position in the premier salamander ecology lab worldwide.” Morgann Lyles ’12, Benin, Guatemala “Generally, people say that going to Africa as a White American is an eye-opening experience. Now imagine going to Africa as a Black American. Essentially, the Beninese people whom I met were either completely enthralled by my very existence or confused to the point of denying my American-ness. I am so thankful that the Fellowship allowed me to immerse myself in such a unique environment. On my first day of Spanish class at Utatlán Spanish School in Xela, Guatemala, I could not tell you the gender of the words ‘floor’ or ‘road.’ After three weeks of one-on-one instruction for five hours a day, I was reading the novel El Alquimista with little outside assistance. That’s what I call progress.” Patrick Fitzmaurice ’12, United Kingdom “Through interaction with world-renowned faculty in the London School of Economics Summer School Programme and the environment of a global financial center, I pushed deeper into my studies of economics. The analytical approach whetted my appetite for future study and prepared me well for graduate economics courses the following fall.” Logan Krusac ’12, China “I spent a year abroad in Nanjing, Kunming, and Harbin, China. This was the greatest opportunity the Foundation Fellowship has provided me with thus far. Though I went to China just for the purpose of studying Chinese and conducting environmental research, I also learned a great deal about domestic politics, international affairs, and cultural identity. As a political science major, studying abroad in a developing country under one-party rule shook the foundation of my political beliefs and challenged my understanding of the world on a daily basis. Traveling to a country of 1.4 billion people where I did not have a single friend was a daunting experience at first, but after traveling to and making friends in more than twenty different cities 31

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and villages throughout China, I feel confident in my ability to overcome any challenge I might encounter.” Jaime Ayers ’12, China “Volunteering in a foster home in X’ian, China, I worked with infants and toddlers with disabilities or health complications. It was a great way for me to apply the concepts I had learned in social work and child and family development classes to real life. I learned firsthand how children’s development is largely influenced by the quantity and quality of interaction with adults they receive, as well as how government institutions and regulations directly affect the lives of so many people.” Ryan Friday, Geales Goodwin, Anne Karam, and Rachel Pocock ’11, Vietnam “After volunteering in an orphanage and teaching English to Buddhist monks in the bustling metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, we left with a fresh perspective shaped by experiences with some of the brightest, most hopeful children we have encountered and the most 32

dynamic, stereotype-defying clergy we’ve ever met.” Smitha Ganeshan ’14, Peru “I traveled to Lima, Peru to help Medlife set up mobile health clinics amid the poverty that surrounds the city. I discovered my passion for public health and learned about the importance of delivering culturally competent, sustainable health care to impoverished people.” Claire Underwood ’11, Greece “On the idyllic island of Corfu, I worked with the Silva Project, an organization that breeds endangered Skyrian horses and provides therapeutic riding to children with disabilities. I assisted with the breeding of these special Greek horses, and five foals were born during my time there. It was also a chance to continue my work with therapeutic riding for children with disabilities and to compare therapy centers in Georgia to those in Greece, where therapeutic riding first began in Olympic times.”

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Spring Break 2011 International and Domestic Trips COSTA RICA Program Leader: Quint Newcomer (Director, UGA Costa Rica) “As a faculty member who spends most of my time in an administrative role, I appreciate the opportunity to work with the Foundation Fellows program as leader of a travel-study program. It is refreshing to be among a group of students who are so passionate about their academic careers. UGA is full of very bright students, but what I’ve noticed about the Foundation Fellows is their level of engagement, curiosity, reflection, and follow-up. When I have traveled with these students, I am always impressed with the degree to which they reflect on what they are experiencing – they don’t just ‘do,’ they think about that they are doing and how that relates to their lives or to the subject they study. I never cease to be impressed with the drive and motivation they express for their studies and their future, and yet in the interactions I have had with these students they do not exhibit airs of privilege or superiority or that they ‘know it all.’ For me, the Foundation Fellows are one outstanding example of the standard of excellence I see in many places around The University of Georgia.” Academic Focus: Biodiversity, Conservation, Sustainable Agriculture  Guided tours of organic farms in San Luis, native medicinal plants at the UGA campus, and the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve  Zip lining through the Monteverde cloud forest, hiking to the San Luis waterfall, kayaking in Lake Arenal in sight of Arenal Volcano, whitewater rafting down the Sarapiqui River, horseback riding and surfing lessons at Playa Sámara  Lectures from experts on fair trade coffee, the Pájaro Campana Biological Corridor, and sustainable practices at Rancho Margot  Preparing seedlings to be planted during the rainy season for the UGA Costa Rica reforestation project  Dancing and tilapia fishing at Rancho Lelo

Bryn Murphy ’12 “The national greeting in Costa Rica is ‘Pura vida!’ (‘Pure life!’), and I can’t think of a better description of our time there. From morning swims under a waterfall to afternoon visits to organic coffee and sugar farms to late-night volcano hikes, each day was packed with outdoor adventures. Each new experience pushed us to appreciate more fully the natural beauty surrounding us and to consider what it will take in the future to protect Costa Rica’s precious biodiversity.” Rohan Mukhopadhyay ’12 “Costa Rica was mental and spiritual refreshment via physical exhaustion. We learned a lot about sustainable development that conserves the incredible natural resources in the country. Every day, I would wake up, look out the window, and rub my eyes in disbelief that I was in such a heartbreakingly beautiful area, getting to see parts of the world I never thought I would visit.” Matthew Saltz ’13 “The Costa Rica trip was a fantastic way to explore different options for sustainability and observe them in action. The dedication of people to their environment was inspiring, and contrary to what you might think, this dedication seemed to lead to a higher quality of life rather than a lower one. Typically, I think of sustainability as requiring sacrifices, but this trip taught me otherwise.” Todd Pierson ’13 “As a student of ecology, Costa Rica has forever been a kind of mecca. Hosting phenomenal biodiversity and booming ecotourism, it offers something for everyone. If I had traveled on my own, I would have done nothing but search for frogs in the cloud forest, but the great range of activities on this trip (kayaking, rafting, surfing, hiking, horseback riding, zip lining) exposed me to all Costa Rica has to offer – something my single-minded obsession would not have.” Dana Higgins ’12 “Farmers showed us the ingenuity of organic farming, which produced the majority of our food and produced pig sties and chicken coops that did not smell. Despite being divided by rough terrain and limited infrastructure, the Costa Rican villages we visited had developed an enviable sense of community we should strive to emulate.”

Foundation Fellows & R amse y Honors Schol ars Annual Report

INDIA Program Leader: Kalpen Trivedi (Director, UGA at Oxford) “I was very gratified to have the opportunity to lead a group of Foundation Fellows on a trip to India, a wonderful country with a rich and diverse history, and one that is becoming increasingly prominent on the contemporary geo-political map. The academic theme of our trip was the interaction of Hindu and Moslem cultures in pre-modern India and the ways in which the chronology of that interaction can be mapped at the various architectural sites in Northern India. The students prepared for the trip by reading a biography of the first six Mughal emperors of India (15th/16th centuries) and reading some supporting scholarship on architecture, along with viewing an Indian biopic on the life of the greatest of these emperors, Akbar. We visited sites in Delhi that traced the development of the earliest Islamic settlements in Hindu India, sites in the Udaipur area that evidenced the dominant Hindu princely state and its conflicts with the Islamic conquest of India, and sites in Delhi

and Agra that showcase the unity and beauty of the two cultures coming to accommodation with each other. It was a unique experience for me to share my passion for pre-modern India, and indeed, my love for my country of origin with such a bright, inquisitive, and talented group of UGA students.”

Academic Focus: History of Medieval Mughal Empire, Hindu and Muslim Architectural Forms  In and around Agra – Emperor Akbar’s mausoleum, the Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah, Shah Jehan’s Taj Mahal, the deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri, Agra Fort  In and around Udaipur – Udaipur City Palace, the Monsoon Palace, Kumbalgarh Fort, Jain temples at Ranakpur, Maharani Bagh Orchard Retreat  In and around Delhi – Qutab Minar, Humayun’s Tomb, the Red Fort, the Jama Masjid mosque, and Raj Ghat memorial to Mahatma Gandhi on the banks of the River Yamuna

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David Zweig ’12 “The incredible and living vibrancy of India’s history that was captured in the temples, tombs, forts, and palaces we visited was still somehow equaled by the tumultuous modernization of Indian society that surrounded us wherever we went. We marveled at the architecture and jeweled inlays of the Taj Mahal and then contemplated the vast juxtapositions outside its walls presented by a traditionally agrarian population of over one billion people rapidly acquiring wealth and technology.” Matt Sellers ’12 “Tracing the intercultural mixing between the Islamic Mughal Empire and the largely Hindu Indian populace in architecture proved fascinating, especially in light of increasing heterogeneity in the United States. Seeing the fusion of two cultures manifested in lasting monuments like the Taj Mahal brought to life the beauty that can arise out of cultural exchange.” Jacob Rooney ’12 “India has a rich history and cultural tradition, and our whirlwind trip around Delhi, Agra, and Udaipur allowed us a small but eye-opening glimpse into the fantastic world of the Mughal emperors juxtaposed with the realities of modern-day India.” Mir Inaamullah ’11 “It was hard to keep track of what was more exhilarating – a stroll through Delhi

traffic or the breathtaking view from the top of the Monsoon Palace in Udaipur.” Ryan McLynn ’13 “When we passed through the gate and I saw the soft white glow of the Taj Mahal rise ahead of me, I was overcome with the enormity and excitement of the experience. I had seen photos of that structure countless times, but I will never forget the awe I felt to see it with my own eyes.” Juan Cardoza-Oquendo ’12 “Winding your way through the streets of Old Delhi or strolling through the temples and palaces from the 15th and 16th centuries, you can breathe in the living history of India.” Phoeny Li ’11 “One of the memorable parts of the trip was wandering around the Taj Mahal, gazing at its marvelous walls aglow with the morning sun, soaking up its majesty and my own wonder that I was actually there. Even more unreal was a personal invitation from the head priest of the Adinath Jain temple, who brought us aside into a marble alcove and prayed for us with a beautiful chant that echoed throughout the airy, elaborately carved columns. I am deeply appreciative of having had the opportunity to experience some of the greatest historical treasures in the world with the stimulating company of elite guides and the colorful perspectives and companionship of the Foundation Fellows.”

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JORDAN Program Leader: Corrie Brown (Josiah Meigs Distinguished Teaching Professor of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine) “On our spring trip to Jordan in the Middle East, I watched the Foundation Fellows interact with a wide range of citizens – from Bedouin farmers to Palestinian refugees to elected parliamentarians. In every case, our Fellows were engaged, warm, kind, and professional – they were fabulous ambassadors for UGA and our nation.”

Academic Focus: Veterinary and Human Medicine and Cultural Studies  Tour of government slaughterhouse, visit to Parliament for Q&A session with ex-Deputy Prime Minister  Tour of Petra – ride camels, donkeys, and horses  Camping at Wadi Rum – desert jeep tour, Bedouin entertainment, and dinner  In Irbid, visit to animal market, visit to veterinary faculty and clinic at Jordan Institute of Science and Technology, Q&A session with vice president of the university  Tour of King Hussein Hospital for a lecture presentation with the hospital director  Tour of Jerash Roman ruins, Ajloun Castle, and Umm Qays Roman ruins; Golan Heights and Sea of Galilee  Swimming in the Dead Sea, tour the Jordan Valley and the baptism site of Jesus

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Sheena Zhang ’11 “Going to Jordan, especially in the midst of widespread revolution in the Middle East, was a unique experience. We got a taste of the old and new – in touring ancient ruins of Jordan’s many previous rulers including the Naboteans, Romans, and Ottomans and in visiting some of Jordan’s stateof-the-art hospitals and universities. A highlight for me was joy riding through the beautiful ochre desert of Wadi Rum and spending the night sharing songs and dances with our Bedouin hosts.” Ryan Friday ’11 “Although our time in Jordan was punctuated with a wide array of once-in-a-lifetime experiences like floating in the Dead Sea, seeing the exquisite carvings and buildings of the Nabateans at Petra, and meeting with a member of the Jordanian Parliament, by far the most memorable for me was the opportunity to get to know some of the Jordanian veterinary students who traveled with us throughout the trip. Their willingness to show us a side of the country only a native would know made all the difference as we built new friendships.”

Sabrina Ragaller ’11 “Being in Jordan made me feel like I was simultaneously at the edge and in the center of the world. Within a few days we traveled from the stark ruby landscapes of Wadi Rum to the lush but deserted border zone between Israel and Jordan. It is a country where history happens and hope for the future coexists with great respect for the past.” Phillip Mote ’11 “Dispelling stereotypes and misperceptions that I had ignorantly chosen to believe was only one aspect of our immersion in the realm of Jordan, facilitated by our trusty minibus and incredible Jordanian friends for the week. To supplement the cultural exchange were countless breathtaking sites and experiences of ancient Rome, ruins in Petra, and floating/mud-bathing in the Dead Sea. The historical richness and holy landmarks of the land have not worn off even after flying back westward. Marhaba!”

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NEW YORK AND WASHINGTON, DC (First-Year Fellows) Program Leader: David S. Williams (Director, Honors Program) Academic Focus: Finance, Theatre, Public Health, and Politics New York  Broadway performance of Billy Elliot  Metropolitan Museum of Art  Dinners with UGA and Fellows alumni at Metalmark Capital and Carmine’s  Tour of NYU Medical School with Dr. Joel Oppenheim, Senior Associate Dean  Meeting with UGA alumna, Senior VP and General Counsel at the Greater New York Hospital Association Washington, DC  Meeting with UGA alumnus, Economic Counselor at the Embassy of India  Breakfast with UGA alumni, Chiefs of Staff for Georgia’s U.S. Senators  Dinner with Fellows alumni  Meeting with Political Consultant and CNN Commentator Paul Begala Jacqueline Van De Velde ’14 “The trip provided an excellent opportunity to become acquainted with the highlights of our own nation before we begin to explore those of other countries. Through a combination of sightseeing, networking, discussions, and cultural immersion, we learned more about potential career paths and how to navigate big cities, and we had a great time with our closest friends.” 40

Anisha Hegde ’14 “The trip provided opportunities to connect with influential and inspirational individuals, explore America’s cultural centers, and bond with my class. From museums and Broadway to NYU medical school and the Capitol, these experiences will serve as important foundations to future endeavors.” Paul Kirschenbauer ’14 “My favorite experience was getting to meet with alumni involved in investment banking, which has long been an interest of mine. The entire trip also served to get me even more excited about how much of the world I will get to see over my tenure at UGA.” Smitha Ganeshan ’14 “I feel the gift of community and opportunity through the Foundation Fellowship every day, but this notion has never been stronger than it was during our spring trip. I had never realized how far this network extends beyond UGA’s campus.” Joe Gerber ’14 “This was a week full of bonding experiences – getting lost in Chinatown, walking across the Brooklyn Bridge, seeing the city from the Empire State Building at midnight – and inspiring meetings – with investment bankers, embassy officials, and political commentators.” Phil Grayeski ’14 “I felt more prepared heading back to UGA by knowing what steps to take to get on the Hill or Wall Street depending on whatever path my interests and passions take. The trip also provided us with contacts who can mentor these interests.”

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First-Year Maymester 2011 Study Abroad at Oxford University COURSES

 British Common Law – Professor Ben MacFarlane, Trinity College, Oxford University  English Historiography in the Early-Modern Period: Literature and Politics – Professor George Southcombe, University College, Oxford University  International Conflict – Professor Marc Stears, University College, Oxford University and Lecturer Emily Paddon, Wadham and St. Antony’s Colleges, Oxford University Joe Gerber ’14 “Though there are many things I will take away from a month of studying abroad at Oxford – brilliant professors and complex discussions with challenging classmates, meanderings along Longwall Street by the city centre surrounded by ancient architecture, living by choice almost solely off of crumpets and Nutella, and weekend trips to London, Edinburgh, and the Scottish highlands – what I hope I remember most are the in-between moments when I realized I was studying in Oxford not just with classmates but with friends – I would go so far as to say family.”

Sara Black ’14 “The Maymester in Oxford is more than an education in Shakespeare or law or international conflict. In one month you learn how to write a paper in a pub in Scotland, how to write a paper while making stew for the whole house to eat for a week, how to write a paper in an English meadow or while punting on the Thames, how to write a paper while singing ‘Wagon Wheel’ with other Fellows, and of course, how to write a paper while having the time of your life in a fascinating city.” Clara Nibbelink ’14 “Being at Oxford was like being in a house for small accomplishments. Yay, we finished our essay before the 5 AM sunrise! Yay, we looked right before crossing the street instead of left! It was the perfect place to bond with our class of Fellows. Everything was new, and in between every small accomplishment were all these moments of just talking to each other – on a cliff in Cornwall, on the train to London Paddington, running through meadows down by the canal, or behind laptops across the massive dining room table in the Oxford house. Even though we all had excellent places to go afterward (Rome, Berlin, Prague, Vienna, Istanbul), all that had happened in and around the Oxford house made it very hard to leave it, and each other, behind.”

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F O U N D AT I O N F E L L O W S I N T E R N S H I P S To understand the complexities of the world outside the university, Foundation Fellows seek hands-on experience in business, nonprofit, and government organizations. Some internships carry academic credit while others are purely experiential, some are domestic while others are far afield. Supported by the Foundation, Fellows have the flexibility to design an internship experience to suit their academic and career needs.

Bobby Rosenbleeth ’11, UBS Investment Bank “As a summer analyst at UBS Investment Bank, I compiled mergers and acquisitions and capital structure proposals for large-cap insurers, banks, and financial technology companies; participated on the joint bookrunner team for MetLife’s $3.6 billion equity follow-on and $3.0 billion debt offering; and completed a one-week training program, including a Training the Street valuation program. The analyst internship helped prepare me for a full-time analyst position in investment banking after graduation.” Ryan Friday ’11, KPMG “This past summer, I interned with KPMG in their audit practice. Although I was based out of Atlanta, I traveled to Chicago for a week and Brazil for a month as part of the internship. In Atlanta, I worked on auditing a power plant/energy company. My month in Sao Paulo (as part of KPMG’s highly selective Global Internship Program, 14 interns from a pool of about 1,000) was spent working on the audit of one of the world’s largest financial services firms.” Geales Goodwin ’11, Teach For America “Working for Teach For America gave me a closer look at what it takes to run a successful nonprofit and reinforced my desire to work in nonprofits postgraduation. In Philadelphia, I served as an Operations Coordinator alongside the newest corps members of Teach For America. Working behind the scenes, I saw corps members overcome challenges in their classrooms and create relationships with their students. I left knowing I needed to be in their shoes next year, setting new goals and reaching them.” John Marshall ’11, Translational Genomics Research Institute “I interned at Translational Genomics Drug Development, which aims to streamline the drug development process for biotechnology companies with promising new anticancer agents. I gained an indepth view of the drug development process, from preclinical studies to clinical trials. Working with a top clinician-researcher in pancreatic cancer, I shadowed and conducted my own clinical research project. This internship exposed me to the realm of translational medicine – bringing discoveries from the bench as quickly and safely as possible to new therapies at the bedside.” Rachel Pocock ’11, McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP “The internship at McKenna Long & Aldridge in Washington, DC provided diverse

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experience in the fields of law, politics, and public health. I attended congressional hearings and markups, observed conference calls and information sessions related to law and lobbying, attended interviews concerning immigration, and conducted research on governmental affairs.” Sabrina Ragaller ’11, Center for International Trade & Security “The University of Georgia’s Center for International Trade and Security has an exceptional student internship program. As a CITS Security Leadership Fellow, I developed personal relationships with experts in the fields of nonproliferation and strategic controls. There is no better place on campus to learn how to save the world from nuclear annihilation.” Aaron Marshburn ’11, CNN Idea Lab “As a CNN Idea Lab Intern, I worked as part of a creative think tank designed to develop innovative approaches to designing long-term coverage pitches and program development. In addition to working on a multitude of projects and shadowing two show teams on the newsroom floor (CNNi Backstory and CNN Newsroom), I planned and executed a company-wide brainstorming session called Free Thinking Fridays at the end of every week. I built a valuable network of professionals at the peak of their careers at one of the most exciting and recognizable media organizations in the world.” Matt Levenson ’11, BSI Supply Chain Solutions “Conducting terrorism research for a government contractor has given me the opportunity to look beyond the academic context and gain a new perspective on the role of private-sector organizations in supporting U.S. national security.” Calley Mersmann ’11, Carl Vinson Institute of Government “I researched policies and practices related to sea level rise and other environmental hazards such as storm surges and beach erosion in coastal Georgia. I conducted a survey of local and regional planning policies in the eleven-county coastal region to identify the portions that are relevant to climate

change and rising sea levels, the type of language that is used in such policies, and any (political or other) barriers to advancement. Through my work at the Vinson Institute, I connected with environmental policymakers and analysts across Georgia, from county commissioners in South Georgia to state legislators.” Luke Mosley ’12, Child Family Health International “I interned with Child Family Health International in Mumbai, India. Cycling through clinics and rotations, I observed how the Indian health care system operates in a multitude of scenarios ranging from urban to rural and governmental to private. The program provided a broad perspective on the Indian health care system – the interactions between public and private sectors to provide care for the population of over one billion people. The lessons learned are not limited to India. As the U.S. system enters a time of dynamic change, global perspectives provide valuable insight and innovation.” Megan Unger ’13, Integrity Animal Hospital “Working for Dr. Nunn was an incredible experience to prepare me for vet school. I learned how to do everything from drawing blood to inserting IV catheters to running analytical tests.” Tracy Yang ’11, Greater New York Hospital Association “Working with the Greater New York Hospital Association was an excellent opportunity to learn about a variety of topics in public health and health policy. GNYHA is a trade association that supports and advocates for over 200 hospitals. My work with GNYHA taught me the importance of focusing on patient-centered goals while operating in the complicated context of a fragmented health system. As an aspiring physician and policy analyst, I gained valuable experience working on issues pertinent to hospitals and health care providers.” Matt Sellers ’12, National Association of Counties “Before working at the National Association of Counties, I failed to appreciate the water I drink, the roads I drive on, or the trash that was conveniently

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picked up from my curb. After my internship, I have a new appreciation for the dynamic and integral work that local governments do to ensure that their citizens have access to necessary services. I may even work at the local level following graduation!” Bethany McCain ’13, Central Bank of Uruguay “I will spend six weeks in Montevideo, Uruguay working on economics research projects pertaining to the Central Bank of Uruguay. I will also have the freedom to pursue my own academic interests under the guidance of a respected Latin American economist, Sr. Dr. Gerardo Licandro.” Matthew Saltz ’13, Envoc Software Consulting “I will be working as an intern at a software consulting firm in Baton Rouge called Envoc. I will start out programming small pieces of projects and then work my way up to larger projects under the guidance of a mentor. I’ll be learning new programming languages and tools, and my hope is that the experience will greatly enhance my code writing and software design skills.” Hemali Vin ’12, Global Health Internship “Last summer I created my own global health internship under the guidance of the UGA College of Public Health. It culminated in a presentation on public health-related aspects of my experience volunteering in dental clinics in Vietnam. The environment in Vietnam was rich with public health in action. It’s one thing to learn about public health in classes, but my work in the field gave me a more tangible understanding of the potential of public health to make positive changes in a nation.”

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Individual Internships 2010-2011 Patrick Fitzmaurice ’12

Institutional Equities Division, Morgan Stanley, New York, NY

Ryan Friday ’11

KPMG, Atlanta, GA; Chicago, IL: Sao Paulo, Brazil

Geales Goodwin ’11

Teach For America, Athens, GA; Philadelphia, PA

Camille Gregory ’13

Freedman Consulting, Washington, DC

Anisha Hegde ’14

Jain Foundation, Dysferlinopathy and Public Health, Mumbai, India

Anne Karam ’11

Protiviti, Inc., Atlanta, GA

Hillary Kingsley ’12

Brevard Summer Music Institute, Brevard, NC

Logan Krusac ’12

McKenna Long & Aldridge, Washington, DC

Matt Levenson ’11

BSI Supply Chain Security Solutions, Reston, VA

Morgann Lyles ’12

Office of U.S. Rep. David Scott, Washington, DC

John Marshall ’11

Translational Genomics Drug Development, Phoenix, AZ

Aaron Marshburn ’11

CNN Idea Lab, CNN Global Headquarters, Atlanta, GA

Bethany McCain ’13

UGA Office of the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, Athens, GA; Central Bank of Uruguay, Department of Research, Montevideo, Uruguay

Ryan McLynn ’13

Medical Service to Rural Populations, Cusco, Peru

Calley Mersmann ’11

Urban Defense Project, Cleveland, OH; Carl Vinson Institute of Government, Athens, GA

Luke Mosley ’12

Child and Family Health International, Mumbai, India; Jordan Institute of Science and Technology, Medical Research, Irbid, Jordan

Phillip Mote ’11

Child and Family Health International, Mumbai, India

Bryn Murphy ’12

Peruvian Society for Environmental Law, Lima, Peru

Rachel Pocock ’11

McKenna Long & Aldridge, Washington, DC

Derek Ponticelli ’13

Boona Baana Center for Children’s Rights, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Sabrina Ragaller ’11

Center for International Trade and Security, Athens, GA; Carl Vinson Institute of Government, Athens, GA

Bobby Rosenbleeth ’11

UBS Investment Bank, New York, NY

Matthew Saltz ’13

Envoc Software Consulting, Baton Rouge, LA

Matt Sellers ’12

National Association of Counties, Washington, DC; Organizing for America, Athens, GA; U.S. Department of Education, Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools, Washington, DC

Anuj Shukla ’12

Child and Family Health International, Cape Town, South Africa

Trey Sinyard ’11

Child and Family Health International, Mumbai, India

Will Stephenson ’12

Global Film Initiative, San Francisco, CA

Megan Unger ’13

Dr. Donald Nunn, Integrity Animal Hospital, Kingsland, GA; Dr. Linda Bell, Savannah, MO

Kishore Vedala ’14

Xnth Engineering, Atlanta, GA

Hemali Vin ’12

East Meets West Foundation, Vietnam

Addison Wright ’13

Boona Baana Center for Children’s Rights, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Tracy Yang ’11

Greater New York Hospital Association, New York, NY

Sheena Zhang ’11

Farr Associates Architecture & Urban Planning, Chicago, IL; UGA Office of Sustainability, Athens, GA

David Zweig ’12

EARTH University, Limon, Costa Rica; University of Arkansas, Technology Vetting, Fayetteville, AR

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R ESEARCH AND CONF ER ENCES Conducting original research under the guidance of a faculty research mentor is a critical part of many Fellows’ education at The University of Georgia. The nationally recognized Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities (CURO), housed in the Honors Program, provides students with guidance for choosing a mentor and creating independent, for-credit research courses. Honors students, including Foundation Fellows, can begin research in their first semester on campus. Fellows also receive grants (up to a cumulative total of $1,750) to conduct research and attend academic conferences with national and international scholars.

Like all Honors Program students, Fellows can start conducting research in their first semester at UGA. Working closely with faculty research mentors, students gain experience in designing studies, gathering data, analyzing results, and publicizing their findings. Many Fellows present at national and international conferences and publish articles with their co-investigators in top journals in their field. Just as important, Fellows learn to be members of an academic community.

Fellows Describe Their Undergraduate Research Experiences Phil Grayeski ’14, Bioengineering “With Dr. Mark Eiteman and Dr. Yajun Yan in the bioengineering department at UGA, I’ve been conducting research in metabolic pathway engineering. As part of a CURO course, I’m engineering E. coli to produce 2,3-butanediol to act as a possible source of alternative fuel. In this small, personalized lab, I have pioneered most of my own experiments and gained a great deal of practice in proper laboratory techniques. If all goes well, there could be a publication within the following year.” Clara Nibbelink ’14, Georgia 2010 Benchbook “During fall semester freshman year, I did research for the modification of the Georgia 2010 Benchbook for judges. A few other Fellows and I worked with the executive director of the Athens-based women’s organization Project Safe to draft concerns about mediation policy in domestic violence cases in Georgia. This project helped me see how advocating against domestic violence works on the ground through policy, legal action, and coordination of community centers and organizations. It helped to form a knowledge and value base to approach the magnitude of an issue like violence against women from practical perspectives.” Hillary Kingsley ’12, Musicology “I’m pursuing musicological research examining the violin concertos of Beethoven and Sir Edward Elgar. With supervising faculty member Dr. Michael Heald, I’m studying the degree to which Elgar was influenced by Beethoven’s earlier composition and how that connection represents the development of music from the beginning to the end of the Romantic era.”

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Hank Schwartz ’12, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology; Roosevelt@UGA “In Dr. Xu’s biochemistry and molecular biology lab, I’ve learned to program using Perl to help identify transcription units. Computer logic can be challenging at times, but finally parsing a working algorithm is a rewarding experience. People like to talk about genome sequencing, but if they don’t look into gene expression, they might as well have a bowl of alphabet soup. “With Roosevelt@UGA, I spent time performing a literature review on the effects of the droughts in Georgia and researched potential options for mitigating future water shortages. Most people don’t think about electricity use resulting in water consumption, but the two are intertwined, which could lead to huge opportunities for the state. By modifying power production methods, we stand to reduce pollution, increase efficiency, and mitigate the effects of drought.” Jacob Rooney ’12, Mathematics “I’ve worked in a VIGRE research group in the math department for the past two years, led by Dr. Jason Cantarella. We tabulated a list of intrinsic symmetries of links of small crossing number, and this work led to a paper, ‘Intrinsic Symmetry Groups of Links with Eight and Fewer Crossings,’ which has been submitted to the Journal of Knot Theory and Its Ramifications. The experience in Dr. Cantarella’s research group has shown me what research in mathematics is really like, and it’s opened the door for many opportunities, such as attending the Joint Mathematics Meetings conference in New Orleans.” Anuj Shukla ’12, Stem Cell Technologies “In Dr. Steve Stice’s lab in the Department of Animal & Dairy Science, my project focuses on creating a biosensor for neurotoxins using human embryonic stem cells. I’m responsible for performing reactive oxygen species assays using dyes that fluoresce only when they’re oxidized. Scientific research is a testament to human patience. Certainly the most rewarding aspect outside of pure scientific learning has been building patience. If an experiment doesn’t work, I still get upset, but I always remember that scientific

experimentation is not perfect. The imperfections are what make research a stimulating puzzle.” Anisha Hegde ’14, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology; Roosevelt@UGA “Working with Dr. Leara Rhodes in the Grady College of Journalism and the Roosevelt Institute’s Domestic Center, I saw policymaking in a new light after interviewing stakeholders in Dauphin Island, Alabama affected by the oil spill. Talking to restaurant owners, fishermen, and local officials put an intensely human face on a corporate disaster. The human factor I witnessed played a substantial role in my final policy proposal. I have also been an undergraduate researcher in the lab of Drs. Michael and Becky Terns. My current research investigates the functions of certain proteins involved in a newly identified bacteria immune system. Earlier this semester, I identified an active site in one protein based on conserved histidine codes, and now I’m working to create new protein antigens.” Smitha Ganeshan ’14, Stem Cell Technologies “Under Dr. Stice and Erin Jordan’s guidance, I’ve tried to achieve directed differentiation of human neural progenitors into GABAergic neurons using valproic acid. I hope to expand this project to discover whether these derived GABAergic neurons can be a good model to study diseases like Parkinson’s. This experience has taught me invaluable laboratory techniques along with the virtues of patience and perseverance. It’s easy to get discouraged when twenty trials don’t work, but that is the nature of the pursuit of scientific discovery. Perseverance in the face of failure drives my research and now guides my life.” Megan Unger ’13, Infectious Diseases “My research in Dr. Susan Sanchez’s lab (trends in equine synovial infections and trends in Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections in animals) has been so enlightening. I love that the results of my research are almost immediately applicable to the way that a clinician might view or treat an infectious disease. This experience has really enhanced my appreciation for the research that informs medical decisions.”

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Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities (CURO) 2011 Symposium Presenters Smitha Ganeshan ’14

Ready for Disaster

Anisha Hegde ’14

The Boom That Saved the Day; Medical Therapies and Clinical Characteristics Among Patients with Duchenne and Becker Muscular Dystrophy

Dana Higgins ’12

Risk-Taking in Midterm Elections

Tatum Mortimer ’12

Epidemiology of Equine Staphylococcus aureus in Georgia and Kentucky from 1995-2003

Rohan Mukhopadhyay ’12

Battling with Bytes: A Cybersecurity Doctrine for the United States

Bryn Murphy ’12

“Cuando uno toma el agua del Tambopata…”: Migration and the Urban Environment in Madre de Diós, Peru

Muktha Natrajan ’11

The Effects of Manganese on Human Neural Stem Cell Cultures

Hank Schwartz ’12

Reducing Water Usage by Repowering Plants in Georgia

Matt Sellers ’12

Every Man a King: Robert Penn Warren, Populism, and Contemporary American Politics

Anuj Shukla ’12

Human Embryonic Stem Cell Derived Neurons as Biosensors for Neurotoxins

Sheena Zhang ’11

An Analysis of Green Buildings: Comparing Tsinghua University’s SinoItalian Ecological and Energy-Efficient Building and UGA’s Odum School of Ecology Building

Additional Conference Presentations and Publications Elizabeth Allan ’12

Notre Dame Human Development Conference, Notre Dame, IN Presenter: “Trends in Female Employment in Developing Countries”

Midwest Political Science Conference, Chicago, IL Presenter: “Trends in Female Employment in Developing Countries”

Dana Higgins ’12

Georgia Political Science Association, Savannah, GA Panelist and Presenter: “Risk-Taking in Midterm Elections”

Roosevelt National Institute, Washington, DC Panel Moderator and Presenter: “A New Marshall Plan for a New Generation”

Logan Krusac ’12

International Symposium on Water Resource and Environmental Protection, Xi’an, China Presenter: “Individual Environmental Awareness and Urban Water Conservation in Kunming, China”

Rohan Mukhopadhyay ’12

Roosevelt Institute Defense and Diplomacy Conference, Washington, DC Presenter: “Battling with Bytes: A Cyber Security Doctrine with the United States in Room”

R. Mukhopadhyay. “Energy Efficiency Funding in Athens-Clarke County.” Journal for Undergraduate Research Opportunities: Best of CURO 2010. The University of Georgia.

Todd Pierson ’13

Odum School of Ecology Graduate Student Symposium, Athens, GA Undergraduate Poster Presenter: “Detection Rate and Fine-Scale Occupancy of the Patch-Nosed Salamander (Urspelerpes brucei)”

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Rachel Pocock ’11, Cognitive Neuroscience “I’ve been conducting research in the field of cognitive neuroscience under Dr. Jennifer McDowell in the psychology department for the past two years. We measure inhibitory functioning among undergraduates. Findings will be used to determine the best methods to measure levels of inhibitory functioning among schizophrenia patients. I’ve gained experience in working with human subjects, as well as paying attention to detail and recognizing correlations when scoring and analyzing data.”

Hemali Vin ’12, Computer Analysis of Speech for Psychological Research “My research involves working to create a computer program to implement the Salient Items Test, which is a test my research mentor developed to determine the disorderliness of thought that is evident through speech of schizophrenia patients. Through this research on psychological disorders, I’ve merged my two interests in computer science and medicine.”

“Fusing the study of English literature with policy, politics, and curriculum development, I’ve integrated my passion for words with various academic and professional areas of study. Whoever said English isn’t a relevant course of study apparently didn’t understand the achievement gap – a gap which I hope to close by developing culturally relevant curricula.” — Matt Sellers ’12, Literature & Contemporary American Politics

Foundation Fellows & R amse y Honors Schol ars Annual Report

Research and Conference Grants

Elizabeth Allan ’12

Human Development Conference, Notre Dame, IN

Sara Black ’14

Southeast Youth Food Activism Summit, Athens, GA; Southeastern Student Renewable Energy Conference, Athens, GA

Stephanie Chapman ’11

American Economic Association Annual Meeting, Denver, CO

Patrick Fitzmaurice ’12

MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference, Boston, MA

Ryan Friday ’11

Georgia Veterinary Medical Association Fall Conference, Atlanta, GA; University Private Equity Conference, Salt Lake City, UT

Lucy Fu ’11

Human Genomics: The Next Ten Years, La Jolla, CA; Engineering Sustainability 2011: Innovation and the Triple Bottom Line, Pittsburgh, PA

Geales Goodwin ’11

Teach For America 20th Year Anniversary Summit, Washington, DC

Anisha Hegde ’14

Global Health/Innovate Conference, New Haven, CT; After the Spill: A Dialogue Between Students and Policymakers, Athens, GA; Roosevelt Institute at UGA – Interviews with stakeholders impacted by the Deepwater Horizon spill, Dauphin Island, AL

Dana Higgins ’12

Georgia Political Science Association Annual Conference, Savannah, GA

Mir Inaamullah ’11

Australia and New Zealand Law and History Society Annual Conference, Melbourne, Australia

Logan Krusac ’12

International Symposium on Water Resource and Environmental Protection, Xi’an, China

Matt Levenson ’11

Mass Atrocity Response Operations Workshop, Gettysburg, PA

Morgann Lyles ’12

Teach For America 20th Year Anniversary Summit, Washington, DC

John Marshall ’11

Vascular Care 2011: Best Practices in Vascular Therapy, Davis, CA; American Association for Cancer Research 102nd Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL

Aaron Marshburn ’11

Transitions Online Foreign Correspondents Course, Prague, Czech Republic

Calley Mersmann ’11

Principles and Practices of New Urbanism (online course through the University of Miami); Brownfields 2011: Sustainable Communities Start Here, Philadelphia, PA

Phillip Mote ’11

Vascular Care 2011: Best Practices in Vascular Therapy, Davis, CA

Rohan Mukhopadhyay ’12

Human Genomics: The Next Ten Years, La Jolla, CA; Roosevelt Institute Defense and Diplomacy Conference, Washington, DC

Todd Pierson ’13

Southeast Partners for Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, Louisville, MS

Sabrina Ragaller ’11

American Economic Association Annual Meeting, Denver, CO

Jacob Rooney ’12

Joint Mathematics Meetings, New Orleans, LA

Bobby Rosenbleeth ’11

American Economic Association Annual Meeting, Denver, CO; University Private Equity Summit, Salt Lake City, UT; Roosevelt Institute Defense and Diplomacy Conference, Washington, DC

Anuj Shukla ’12

MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference, Boston, MA

Trey Sinyard ’11

Vascular Care 2011: Best Practices in Vascular Therapy, Davis, CA

Will Stephenson ’12

Italian Film Studies, University of Udine, Gorizia, Italy; Il Cinema Ritrovato conference and film festival, Bologna, Italy

Kishore Vedala ’14

MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference, Boston, MA; AIESEC Winter National Conference, Atlanta, GA

Tracy Yang ’11

Owning the Past: Whose Past? Whose Present?, Melbourne, Australia

David Zweig ’12

American Water Summit, Washington, DC

Foundation Fellows & R amse y Honors Schol ars Annual Report

Fellows Attend Professional and Academic Conferences and Extra-University Courses with Funding from the Fellowship Rohan Mukhopadhyay ’12, Human Genomics Conference “Prior to attending the Human Genomics Conference, science research had seemed somewhat impersonal, an affair only to be conducted in journals and laboratories. In reality, research is very much a human process with personalities mixing, and at times clashing, to push the boundaries of knowledge further.” Patrick Fitzmaurice ’12, MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference “Beyond being a who’s who of the sports world, the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference effectively applied the logic of statistics to numerous salient issues within sports. From the underlying causes of home field advantage to ranking the most efficient soccer players, the conference applied the familiar financial tool of analytics to a topic of great personal interest.”

John Marshall ’11, Vascular Care Conference “Attending a professional conference in vascular care helped me narrow down my interests within medicine. When the lecture that interested me the most was on the biochemistry of how the immune system destabilizes vascular plaque, I knew my interests lie not in a more procedural-based field like vascular surgery but in a more biochemistry-based field such as oncology.” Trey Sinyard ’11, Vascular Care Conference “I didn’t expect a medical conference to involve heated discussion, eminent physicians in disagreement, and people with hurt feelings. When the science is imperfect and lives are on the line, it’s exciting to know that the best in the world are hashing out the toughest issues before they even make it to the operating room.” Sara Black ’14, Southeast Youth Food Activism Summit “It’s inspiring and motivating after your first conference to realize that a whole community

Additional Foundation Fellows Undergraduate Research Projects Tori Akin ’12

Creating Computer Models of Within-Host Dynamics of the Flu Virus; Creating a Computer Program to Find Simultaneous Solutions to Curves in a Plane

Geales Goodwin ’11

The Desegregation of Georgia Tech

Dana Higgins ’12

External Validity Test of the Perceptions of Power Model

Logan Krusac ’12

How Soon Will the Boat Sink the Water? The Imminent Water Crisis Resulting from the Growing Burden of China’s Urban Centers

Matt Levenson ’11

Deterring Genocide: A Theoretical Analysis of Strategies for Mass Atrocity Prevention

Calley Mersmann ’11

Policy Alternatives for Increasing Recycling Participation in Athens-Clarke County

Tatum Mortimer ’12

Epidemiology of Equine Staphylococcus aureus in Georgia and Kentucky from 19952003

Phillip Mote ’11

A Patient-Centered and Economically Feasible Healthcare Model

Claire Underwood ’11

Travel Writing in Greece and Italy

Sheena Zhang ’11

An Analysis of University Green Buildings in China and the United States

David Zweig ’12

A Novel Nematacide Drug with Potential Applications in Livestock and Humans; Development of Transgenic Rice and Switchgrass Species with Improved Potential for Biofuel Production

Foundation Fellows & R amse y Honors Schol ars Annual Report

of people exists at your school, in your state, and in your region who are dedicated to the same issues that you are. Access to these communities via conference grants and other opportunities is how I keep my fire stoked when work and stress pile high. I find myself validated and encouraged, nodding my head in keynotes and workshops, thinking, ‘Whoa, you and I are on the same page, and we’ve only just met.’” Sabrina Ragaller ’11, American Economic Association Annual Meeting “Attending the American Economic Association Annual Meeting gave me a strong sense of how broad and diverse the field of economics can be. The principles of economic theory apply equally to studies of genocide, hazardous waste policy, education reform, and a whole spectrum of other topics. The conference made me realize how just how relevant and dynamic the field of economics is today.” Stephanie Chapman ’11, American Economic Association Annual Meeting “Attending the American Economic Association Annual Meeting gave me an inside look at the kinds of research being done within various graduate programs I was applying to and provided insight into how attending lectures by those programs’ professors might be.”

Elizabeth Allan ’12, Notre Dame Human Development Conference “The Notre Dame Human Development Conference brought graduate and undergraduate students interested in human development together to discuss our shared interests and research. This was the first time that I had presented at a conference outside of CURO, and the experience was an opportunity to improve my presentation skills and engage students with similar academic and professional interests.” Tracy Yang ’11, Owning the Past: Whose Past? Whose Present? “In December 2010, I attended a law and history conference in Melbourne, Australia. This conference interwove the broad theme of historical interpretation into studies of law, medicine, anthropology, and politics – addressing consent, cultural appropriation, and discovery doctrines.” Dana Higgins ’12, Georgia Political Science Association Conference “The Georgia Political Science Association’s Annual Conference is a close gathering of political science academics and professionals across the state to share their diverse experience and research. Because the conference was small, I interacted at length with other presenters in a warm and friendly environment.”

Geales Goodwin ’11, Teach For America 20th Anniversary Summit “Attending the Teach For America 20 th Year Anniversary Summit reminded me that I am part of a bigger movement. There is nothing more inspiring than being surrounded by 10,000 other people who are passionate about the same thing you are – in my case, changing the education system to eliminate academic inequality.”

Bobby Rosenbleeth ’11, University Private Equity Summit “The University Private Equity Summit in Salt Lake City provided an opportunity to network with private equity and venture capital professionals as well as other undergraduates interested in financial services.”

“The Mass Atrocity Response Operations Workshop informed me about some of the latest and most innovative research in the field of human security and provided inspiration and direction for my own ongoing research. I also observed the interaction among professionals from the academic, policy, and military sectors – a career niche in which I hope to position myself.” —Matt Levenson ’11 56

Foundation Fellows & R amse y Honors Schol ars Annual Report

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT “Going green” is nothing new to the Fellows, many of whom

Fellows Go Green Under the guidance of fourth-year Fellow Calley Mersmann, the Foundation Fellows Office is working toward Sustainable Office Certification through UGA’s Office of Sustainability, whose creation was likewise spearheaded by a student movement last year. But “going green” is nothing new to the Fellows, many of whom have dedicated their nascent or established careers to exploring and implementing domestic and global eco-initiatives. Three of those Fellows – two recent graduates and one Udall Scholar – are profiled below.

have dedicated their nascent or established careers to exploring and implementing domestic and global ecoinitiatives.

Todd Pierson ’13 Todd Pierson, who hopes to do his part in improving the environment through a career as a professor and researcher, said that he was “plugged into” pursuing his interest in amphibian ecology on his first day on the UGA campus, after meeting with Dr. John Maerz, who immediately put him to work researching a new species of salamander he had discovered. Enamored with amphibians from an early age, Todd has traveled far and wide in search of the vertebrate animals many would go out of their way to avoid. His research has taken him to the Southern Appalachians, Sardinia, Guatemala, Guyana, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates. His most notable excursion was the one closest to the UGA campus, when he pursued Maerz’s discovery – the Patch-Nosed Salamander – in the North Georgia Mountains. “There’s this family of salamanders that makes up 70 percent of the diversity worldwide, but they’re almost exclusively found in the Americas,” Todd said. “And the biggest hotspot is here in the southern Appalachians, an hour or two north of Athens.” In his short time at UGA, Todd has formed an alliance with researchers at the University of California-Berkeley, which boasts one of the largest research laboratories for amphibians in the world, and he’s twice traveled to Guatemala in search of elusive salamander species and spent a portion of this summer in Oman and the United Arab Emirates with the Berkeley researchers. Todd says the skills he has developed from these experiences “are incalculable” and will be instrumental in his future – “from learning how to write proposals, abstracts, and papers to designing experiments to traveling in the wilderness of a foreign country.” Todd’s passion for ecological conservation has certainly made an impression beyond campus as earlier this spring he was awarded the prestigious Udall Scholarship, a national award for sophomores and

Foundation Fellows & R amse y Honors Schol ars Annual Report

juniors pursuing careers in environmental or Native American issues. In addition to traversing highlands, rainforests, and beaches, Todd has been an effective advocate for the environment on the UGA campus, with membership and leadership roles in the Herpetology Society, the Ecology Club’s Game Day Recycling, the Go Green Alliance, and the EcoFocus Film Festival. One of Todd’s most notable on-campus accomplishments has been his participation in Game Day Recycling, an initiative supported by many alumni and current Fellows which ultimately resulted in the UGA Athletic Association’s establishment of a recycling program as part of its contract with its waste-management service provider. Although he says he’d “live a happy life just photographing salamanders,” Todd knows that to continue such work will require a healthy dose of education for the masses, even if it’s just one student at a time. “It’s great to study the population dynamics of a tiny salamander in North Georgia,” he said, “but if I’m interested in conserving that, I have to appeal to more than amphibian biologists. The survival of the species and biodiversity as a whole is dependent upon everybody, not just a tiny subset of the population that studies it.”

Sheena Zhang ’11 To learn as much as possible about sustainable development and design, Sheena Zhang has traveled to some pretty exotic locales, touching down in Costa Rica, the Galápagos Islands, and China. But she’s also explored her area of interest in Illinois, Arizona, and even Cloudland Canyon State Park in Rising Fawn, a tiny community in extreme Northwest Georgia. In 2008, she went to the country where new buildings seemingly sprout from the ground – China – where it is expected that by 2015 more than half of the world’s new construction will occur. A recent UGA graduate with degrees in ecology and biology, along with an Honors Interdisciplinary Studies major in sustainable design, Sheena is now pursuing a master’s degree in architecture from Yale with plans to one day return to China as a “green

architect” to promote building and infrastructure development beneficial to the environment. During the summer of her sophomore year, Sheena enrolled in a National Science Foundationfunded study abroad program in China and then spent a month interning with the nonprofit Joint U.S.-China Cooperation on Clean Energy ( JUCCCE) in Shanghai. She found the attitudinal differences on the environment between the two countries to be striking. “I think, in the United States, environmentalism is a highly political issue, whereas in China, it’s more about economics,” said Sheena, a Certified Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Associate and a member of USA Today’s 2010 All-USA College Academic Team. “The Chinese government has put forth several different mandates for green energy and green building. They were able to implement a plastic bag ban in grocery stores almost overnight, and everyone started bringing their own shopping bags. However, China has difficulties enforcing their mandates consistently, and the United States has a much larger culture of going green.” Sheena’s travels have taken her to an architecture and urban planning firm in Chicago, to the Ecosa Institute in Arizona, and to a leadership training program offered by the Sierra Club Student Coalition at Cloudland Canyon State Park. And while she’s racked up the miles in her pursuit of finding efficient ways to accommodate both the human race and Mother Nature, Sheena has been even more active closer to home with leadership and participation in myriad campus and community initiatives, including the Go Green Alliance, Green Life Expo, Students for Environmental Action, Athens-Clarke County Green Building Committee, Ecology Club Game Day Recycling, and the UGA Sustainability Tour. But the community service closest to her heart is UGA Beyond Coal, a movement to support the University in reducing its reliance on fossil fuels and developing sustainable options to power the campus. Sheena was quick to point out that her activism maintained a tone of cooperation. “We did a lot of research into alternative energy options because the coal-fired steam plant is reaching 61

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the end of its life. The administration was looking for viable options, and we wanted to offer a highly informed and pragmatic student perspective,” said Sheena, who received the Sustainable UGA Outstanding Student Award for her efforts.

Calley Mersmann ’11 Whenever Calley Mersmann sees unclean air, contaminated water, and transportation boondoggles, she sees injustice. But she’s well aware that justice won’t be served through hostile overtures, but rather through thoughtful work on local, state, national, and international levels. “I want to get at the root of what I think is one of the main environmental problems in America, which is environmentalists expecting people to radically change what they’re doing, which is unrealistic,” said Calley, who received her ecology degree in May and is now seeking a master’s degree in public affairs from Indiana University with a focus on local government, environmental policy, and sustainable development. “It’s important to make it possible for people to make slight lifestyle alterations and live the way they’re accustomed to, with fewer ramifications.”

While Calley’s career focus is to be a sustainability director of a major American city, much of her plan of study has been devoted to climate change, which has taken her from the beachfronts of Costa Rica to the lab at the Odum School of Ecology on the UGA campus. “In the ecology lab, I worked on a long-term soilwarming experiment, which basically meant I had a lot of test tubes with soil in them that I incubated for a long time,” said Calley. “The purpose of the research is to see if soil microbes adjust to long-term temperature change.” Calley also got a firsthand look at ecotourism in Costa Rica and spent five weeks in Ecuador with the Shuar, an indigenous group toiling to preserve its forest and improve in-town infrastructure to attract the tourist industry. She also had an internship in the Odum School’s Office of Sustainability. But perhaps her most memorable sustainabilityrelated experience came last year when she spent the summer working on the policy team for a small nonprofit in Cleveland, Ohio, researching the establishment and implementation of a citywide home weatherization program. “I had a chance to talk to a lot of different people who made different recommendations to create a municipal program,” said Calley. “It was really cool because it allowed me to see, on the local level, interaction in the United States in a rust-belt city trying to find out what it wants to look like in the next decade.” Calley’s most significant on-campus contributions have come under the auspices of the UGA Ecology Club and Habitat for Humanity. She led a football gameday recycling program – Cans for Habitat – that collected recyclable aluminum cans, raising funds for Habitat and preserving precious landfill space. She termed the effort “an environmental and community victory.” “I look at my undergraduate degree as a solid foundation for moving on,” she said. “I’m looking at transitioning my foundation into a degree in the public administration sphere because I’d like to work on a local scale, probably in an urban area, to implement sustainability initiatives.”

Foundation Fellows & R amse y Honors Schol ars Annual Report

L I S A A N N CO O L E AWA R D

The Lisa Ann Coole Award was established in 1999 to honor the memory of an extraordinary young woman

2011 Recipients Mir Inaamullah, FF ’11, Economics and Mathematics Inaam, says one of his classmates, is “dedicated, loyal, and always ready to give a helping hand. He epitomizes the model Fellow in that he embodies

and to inspire Foundation

excellence partnered with community. We would be hard-pressed to find

Fellows to translate into

someone in the Fellowship who has not been a beneficiary of Inaam’s

their lives the compassion,

spirit of pulling us all together to have an impromptu celebration or game

joy, courage, and excellence that defined Lisa’s presence in the Fellowship, at UGA, and in her communities both in Georgia and in Illinois.

night just because it’s been too long since the last one! Notwithstanding his rigorous schedule of being a bus driver and taking challenging class loads, he still manages to find time to invest in others and be the type of loyal friend we all desire. His attention to detail and thoughtfulness for things going on in our lives is almost uncanny.” Inaam has worked as an office assistant in his residence hall, volunteered at a local middle school to train and inspire students in the

Lisa was a model Foundation

study of mathematics, served on the elected Conduct Review Board for

Fellow. She graduated from

university housing, contributed to the Muslim Student Association and

The University of Georgia magna cum laude and Phi

Habitat for Humanity, and even found time to participate in intramural soccer and tennis. An outstanding campus representative, Inaam was selected to serve in the university’s Arch Society as a student ambassador.

Beta Kappa with a degree

But again, according to the Fellows, “it is not the list of involvements that

in biology in 1997. She was

defines Inaam or gives credit to his character. Rather, it is the depth to

a 19-time All-American

which he participates as well as how he utilizes his time to impact others

swimmer, won two NCAA titles, and was selected as the

in personal, caring relationships.”

Alex Squires, FF ’11, Bioengineering and Cognitive Science

1997 NCAA Woman of the

“In my opinion,” writes one of the Fellows, “the combination of not

Year. Lisa had just completed

expecting the recognition for service but serving anyway best fits Alex

her first year of veterinary

Squires. He serves his friends more than people realize. In fact, I’d say he’s

medicine at the University

probably the most loyal among us. He will do about anything to help you

of Illinois-Champaign when she died as a result of injuries

when you need it. On the car ride to the airport for a recent conference, we all concluded that when we get in a predicament, we want Alex to be there with us. And what happened two hours later? We were too late to

received in an automobile

check bags for our flight, and Alex ended up taking all of our bags back

accident. In 1999, she was

with him, changing flights, and coming the next day. He is noble in an

inducted into the UGA Athletic Association Circle of Honor, the highest tribute

unexpected and quiet kind of way.” In addition to his involvement in Odyssey of the Mind, Alex has participated in Engineering without Borders and Habitat for Humanity. He has conducted research in the math department and in Dr. Steve

paid to former Bulldog

Stice’s stem cell lab. He made time for the UGA Quidditch League,

athletes and coaches.

intramural soccer, and ultimate Frisbee, and he studied abroad through the South African Wildlife Program.

Foundation Fellows & R amse y Honors Schol ars Annual Report

Previous Recipients 2010 Betsy Allen

2003 Chris Gibson

2009 Elizabeth Godbey

2002 Cathy Lee and Tina Rakkit

2008 Anant Mandawat

2001 Laquesha Sanders

2007 Helen Smith

2001 Kyle Wingfield

2006 Chloe Thompson

2000 Bronson Lee

2005 Krisda Chaiyachati

1999 Lacy Feldman

2004 Vanessa Reynolds

1999 Torre Mills

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Ramsey Honors Scholars 66

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THE RAMSEY HONORS SCHOLARSHIP “Because of UGA’s size and especially the Honors and Ramsey programs, we have so many opportunities to excel and prove our worth, whether through organizations, research, or study abroad. As a Ramsey, I had the chance to do all three with relatively no cost to me because of the scholarships available.” — Nisha Gupta ’09, Medical College of Georgia

The Ramsey Honors Scholarship was created by the trustees of The University of Georgia Foundation in 2000 and is named for the University’s most generous individual benefactor, the late Bernard Ramsey (BS ’37), long-time chairman of the board of Merrill Lynch. Ramsey Scholars are selected through the Foundation Fellows application process. The program welcomed eight new students this year, with a total of 38 Ramsey Scholars now studying on the UGA campus. In-state Ramsey Scholars receive a $4,500 annual stipend along with the HOPE Scholarship, while out-of-state students receive a $7,700 stipend and an out-of-state tuition waiver, currently worth over $18,000 per year. The average SAT score for the incoming class is 1560 and the average ACT score is 34. Their high school grade point average is 4.15 on a 4.0 scale, which indicates extra points for Advanced Placement classes. The Ramsey Scholars also have impressive high school academic and extracurricular credentials. An additional $3,000 is available to each Ramsey Scholar for travel-study. Students enjoy Ramsey community events throughout the year, including a fall kick-off dinner, a weekend retreat in the North Georgia mountains, book discussions and dinner seminars with premier faculty, kayaking down the Broad River, and the Ramsey graduation banquet. Whitney Ising ’12 “The variety of activities the Foundation sponsors each semester exposes us to parts of Athens and UGA we might never have found on our own. One Saturday afternoon, I went with a group of Ramseys to take a pottery wheel workshop at Good Dirt downtown. Some struggled and some excelled through our first time throwing clay pots, but we all left with a new appreciation for the craft and a collective sense of accomplishment. Our workshop was just one example of the emphasis placed on community within our program.” Emily Peng ’13 “The Ramsey Scholarship is a flexible program that offers students opportunities to create unique learning experiences.”

Foundation Fellows & R amse y Honors Schol ars Annual Report

R A M S E Y S cholars – C I V I C E N G A G E M E N T Ramsey Scholars Spring 2011 Service Trip to New Orleans The Ramsey Scholars created, developed, and carried out the first annual Ramsey Scholars Spring Break Service Trip to New Orleans, LA. A group of 15 students, led by fourth year Erika Parker, enjoyed a mix of volunteer opportunities and sight-seeing during their visit. The group spent one day on a home rebuilding project in the Historic District which involved lots of cleaning, painting, and sanding. Aisha Mahmood described her experience working on the home, saying she “gained new perspective on healing and rebuilding after catastrophe. The Wilson family shared extraordinary stories of overcoming hardship, yet their outlook on life was extremely positive. The experience really humanized Hurricane Katrina’s effects and helped me understand the important role volunteers play in rebuilding lives after such destruction.” A second service projected took place at the ARC of Greater New Orleans, an organization dedicated to providing vocational opportunities for citizens with intellectual disabilities. The organization gradually increases work responsibilities of participants until they can carry out jobs with confidence. Some volunteered in the Vintage Garden, an urban sustainable garden that provides produce for the soup kitchen enterprise. Others helped create garden decorations for future garden tours and constructed small bird feeders for the local aquarium. “My favorite part of this service experience was at the conclusion of our visit when we had the chance to socialize with ARC workers during their lunch hour, which gave us insight into their lives,” explained Tiffany Hu. In the evenings, students enjoyed group dinners and participated in cultural events such as touring the National World War II Museum and exploring Soul Fest, a celebration of African American food, music, crafts, and culture at the Audubon Zoo with headliner Irvin Mayfield and the Rebirth Brass Band. In the end, “the trip to New Orleans was a great bonding experience. I most enjoyed getting to know the other Ramseys,” said first year Marianne Ligon. “Planning the trip together provided a valuable

learning experience. We all enjoyed helping people in New Orleans, exploring the city, and experiencing some of its culture.” Overall, the trip gave students the opportunity to “meet and interact with members of the local community, providing a first-hand perspective on the effects of the hurricane and oil spill,” said Camille Gregory. All of the students hope to create a Ramsey tradition with a new trip next year. Ramsey Service Trip Participants — Catherine Backus, Emily Backus, Victoria DeLeo, Camille Gregory, Tiffany Hu, Whitney Ising, Stephen Lago, Marianne Ligon, Aisha Mahmood, Erika Parker – trip leader, Emily Peng, Mariana Satterly, Ryan Sheets, Catie Shonts, Pranay Udutha Mariana Satterly ’14 “Working alongside local citizens to rehabilitate neighborhoods was an enlightening experience. I had not realized that the infrastructure in New Orleans still remained in such a deplorable condition. The group felt we made a small contribution, but the work still to be finished was staggering. Assisting the ARC of Greater New Orleans nonprofit afforded me an even more intimate view of the struggles of the city, but this new perception was nothing short of inspiring. The organization offers myriad services to the mentally disabled, aiming to secure for them ‘the opportunity to develop, function, and live to their fullest potential.’ Our assistance at one of the group’s facilities involved working in a garden that caters to the needs of the local farmer’s markets and soup kitchens. The effort the local community contributed to the nonprofit was touching and impressive. Besides our service, the city offered us all a delightful view of the culture of the Louisiana delta, and I am thankful that our week-long commitment provided so much more than expected.” Whitney Ising ’12 “I was very excited when we learned of the opportunity to have a Ramsey spring break this year. The whole process from planning 69

Foundation Fellows & R amse y Honors Schol ars Annual Report

the home reconstruction site, we worked alongside groups from all corners of the U.S. We witnessed the power of collective efforts as we continued the work of hundreds of past volunteers. While our contribution may have been small, we nonetheless left our mark on the story and vision of Mr. Clarence Wilson, the homeowner. The project pushed us to organize ourselves and to identify our individual strengths. After the work day was done, the team enjoyed exploring the French Quarter, Creole cuisine, and jazz venues in each other’s company.” Catherine Backus ’14 “While the primary purpose of our trip to New Orleans was service, a wonderful benefit of our location was the sheer amount of cultural opportunities at our disposal. Before visiting the city, I did not quite grasp why on earth so many New Orleans residents stayed during Hurricane Katrina. But New Orleans is a city unlike any other, with a distinct vibrancy that is positively intoxicating and a magnetism more powerful than a category 5 storm. The days we spent there were scarcely enough to get to know the city, but the events that transpired for us there have made a profound impression on me. We met amazing people, saw famous landmarks, and heard great music, but the best part of the trip was meandering aimlessly through the streets on a balmy afternoon, breathing in the essence of New Orleans.”

at the retreat in the fall to the actual days we spent in New Orleans gave us a chance to become closer as fellow students and friends. Working on Mr. Wilson’s home was the most memorable time of our trip. Everyone was willing to help in whatever way was needed, whether sanding walls to be painted or organizing the workspace. I was proud of our group and delighted to find out what kind, fun people make up our Ramsey family.” Tiffany Hu ’12 “Our spring break trip to New Orleans was a tremendous opportunity for the Ramseys to work as a team and explore a new community. At 70

Pranay Udutha ’14 “As a Ramsey Scholar, I was able to do community service in New Orleans on our spring break trip. We volunteered at a center for the mentally challenged and helped rebuild houses damaged by Hurricane Katrina. Visiting the area in person made the truth sink in. I could not believe how many homes are still in disrepair after more than five years. This experience helped me connect more to the victims of natural disasters and gave a deeper meaning to research I’m doing about reforming U.S. humanitarian aid and disaster relief. We also had the opportunity to visit several intriguing museums, including the renowned D-Day museum and the Soul Fest at the Audubon Zoo. As a first year, I also valued the chance to connect with older Ramsey Scholars and learn from their experiences at UGA.”

Foundation Fellows & R amse y Honors Schol ars Annual Report

R A MSE Y SCHOL AR S – AC ADEMIC ENRICHMENT Modern Day Slavery Museum with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers and FF Alumna Emiko Soltis Camille Gregory ’13 “At a dinner seminar with representatives of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers from Florida, we met agricultural laborers who worked under brutal and often inhuman conditions picking tomatoes. Our guests shared the history of their campaign for worker rights in the fields of Florida, and we discussed how students can get involved in the movement to ensure that the food we eat is fairly produced. One of our guests, Emiko Soltis, was an alumna of the Fellowship who now works with the coalition while attending graduate school. Inspired by their model for successful social change, I left that evening with a renewed determination to confront human rights violations.”

Amy Chua’s Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother with FF Alumnus Yannick Morgan Haylee Humes ’11 “Discussing Amy Chua’s writing and philosophy with her student and Fellow alumnus Yannick Morgan provided an amazing look at her

life as a professor, mother, and second generation immigrant. I gained a much fuller prospective on comparing family and professional philosophy, but also how the Foundation Fellowship and the Ramsey Scholarship are not just excellent programs for our undergrad years – they extend far beyond UGA.”

A Spirit of Tolerance: The Inspiring Life of Tierno Bokar with Dr. Ken Honerkamp, Department of Religion Samantha Gray ’12 “Dr. Honerkamp has such a generous and enthusiastic knowledge that you are sure to feel welcomed and intrigued while sitting in a circle of students on his floor, surrounded by cushions and nursing a cup of tea. In a recent book discussion, we saw photos of Dr. Honerkamp’s visit to the home of the great men chronicled in the book, chatted with the book’s translator via Skype, and talked with an imam from Cairo about Islam. Every time I get a chance to join a seminar at Dr. Honerkamp’s home, I take it! I always leave feeling inspired.” Tiffany Hu ’12 “We sat cross-legged on a beautiful rug adorning the floor of Dr. Honerkamp’s home, platefuls of delicious pilaf and spiced chicken in hand. On the Skype screen, the translator of the book we had read described her experience of visiting the Muslim spiritual leader’s village in Mali. Dr. Honerkamp animatedly spoke about Sufism, while an Egyptian imam and scholar guest offered his own personal thoughts. Throughout the night, our discussion moved from mysticism and Islamic schools to religious tolerance and modern-day Islamic culture. Our pleasant evening concluded with steaming cups of Persian tea and an observation of the imam’s lyrical prayer in Arabic.”

Foundation Fellows & R amse y Honors Schol ars Annual Report

R AMSEY SCHOLARS – RESEARCH “My career goal is to become a physician and balance public health research and clinical practice. I participated in a funded, nine-week summer research experience through the University of Washington. I worked with Dr. Sverre Vedal, a pulmonary physician and epidemiologist, on a project titled ‘Occupational Dust Exposure and Airways Disease by Computed Tomography.’ I explored my interest in environmental health and occupational medicine by working on a project that I could see myself working on during medical school and beyond.” —Erika Parker ’11, Environmental Health & Occupational Medicine

Student Research Projects Mark Johnson ’11, Marketing “Since I plan to launch a company with friends when I graduate in May, it blew my mind when I had the opportunity to study strategies that could directly impact my future. In the current business environment that is impacted greatly by social media and technology, my research with Dr. Emmelhainz in the marketing department has been instrumental in expanding my understanding of how to best market our company as we strive to become successful entrepreneurs in Georgia.” Aisha Mahmood ’12, Biomedical & Health Sciences Institute “I’ve spent two semesters working with Dr. Harry Dailey of the UGA Biomedical and Health Sciences Institute. Our goal is to find the topologies of two key enzymes in heme biosynthesis in E. coli. Working with Dr. Dailey has given me a glimpse into the collaborative culture of science and how important peer review is.” Tiffany Hu ’12, Public Health & Obesity “With the Roosevelt Scholars course in the Honors Program, I researched possible public health solutions for the American obesity epidemic. After conducting a literature review on the economic causes of obesity, I evaluated three policy alternatives and recommended one based on implementing a federal excise tax on sweetened beverages. The course was a wonderful blend of working individually on policy proposals and having meaningful group discussions with distinguished guest lecturers.” Joseph Rimando ’11, Infectious Diseases “I participated in a project studying H5N1 flu transmission in ducks and the effects of transmission on flu genetic determinants. Dr. Ralph Tripp of the Department of Infectious Diseases was my supervising professor. This experience strengthened my desire to include research in my future career as a physician.” Marianne Ligon ’14, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology “I’ve gotten research experience since my first days on campus. With guidance from the Terns and graduate students in their lab, I’ve developed my own project that has already begun to produce significant results. I will continue the project this summer with a

Foundation Fellows & R amse y Honors Schol ars Annual Report

CURO Summer Research Fellowship and next year as I continue in the CURO Apprentice program. I hope to complete this project and have publishable data by the end of my sophomore year.” Pranay Udutha ’14, Restructuring USAID “At the Roosevelt Institute Defense, Diplomacy, and Development Conference in Washington, DC, I presented research in front of distinguished panel members. One was the director of USAID’s Transition Initiatives Office, with whom I had an engaging discussion about the direction of future policies.”

Victoria DeLeo ’14, Crop & Soil Sciences “I volunteer in Dr. Katrien Devos’s lab in the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences on a study of the stay-green gene Dw3, or Br2, in grasses. Besides awesome perks like free lunch and T-shirts at bioresearch product fairs, I get to be surrounded by serious, professional scientists who know a lot about the field I’m interested in and who are willing to help me learn how to succeed in a lab setting.”

Foundation Fellows & R amse y Honors Schol ars Annual Report

Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities (CURO) 2011 Symposium Presenters Victoria DeLeo ’14

Intron Loss and Gain in the Br2/Dw3 Gene Across Grass Subfamilies

Camille Gregory ’13

Investigation of the Protein Content of Hirano Bodies; Screening for Domestic Violence in Divorce Mediation

Tiffany Hu ’12

Mandating a Federal Excise Tax on Caloric Sweetened Beverages in the U.S.

Aisha Mahmood ’12

Membrane Topologies of E. coli HemH and HemG Biosynthetic Protein Studies Using Alkaline Phosphatase Fusions

Emily Peng ’13

A Flow Cytometry-Based Method of Glycosylation Profiling

Stephen Thompson ’11

Intramolecular Friedel-Crafts Cyclization with Arylsilanes

Pranay Udutha ’14

Preserving Georgia’s Waterways: Tackling Interbasin Transfer in Georgia

Laura Wynn ’11

Representations of the East German Secret Police in Contemporary German Literature

Additional Conference Presentations and Publications Camille Gregory ’13

Portions of a policy paper on divorce mediation screening for domestic violence in Georgia were published in the Georgia Domestic Violence Benchbook, 6th ed.

Pranay Udutha ’14

Roosevelt Institute Defense and Diplomacy Conference, Washington, DC Presenter: “Restructuring USAID: A Case Study on Haiti”

Additional Ramsey Scholars Undergraduate Research Projects Camille Gregory ’13

Human Trafficking in America

Tiffany Hu ’12

Rural Health Care Policy and Accessibility in India

Stephen Lago ’14

Hunting for Snake Sequences in Hypercubes

CURO Summer Research Fellows Camille Gregory, Tiffany Hu, Haylee Humes, Daniel Jordan, Jung Kim, Marianne Ligon, Joseph Rimando, Matthew Sellers, Stephen Thompson, Laura Wynn

Foundation Fellows & R amse y Honors Schol ars Annual Report

R A M S E Y S C H O L A R S – T R AV E L-S T U DY “Traveling to China and Japan this summer was an incredible experience. Studying with and getting to know the Chinese students opened my eyes to a very different perspective on

Catie Shonts ’12, Mexico “On a UGA study abroad in Xalapa, Mexico, I worked with the nutrition and food preparation departments of a hospital to provide patients with healthy meals that met their specific requirements. We also worked with patients to determine whether they were getting enough food to eat and enjoying the food that they were given. Obesity is a huge problem in Mexico, just as it is in the U.S., and it is important for anyone considering going into the health field to understand the relationship between diet and health.”

education, and the company visits in Shanghai and Beijing

Whitney Ising ’12, Peru “I used my travel grant to spend the

made me see how China’s

volunteered at a girls’ orphanage in the city. I had the trip of a

rapid economic growth is

summer in Cusco, Peru, where I lived with a host family and lifetime going to festivals, hiking to Inca ruins, and exploring Cusco and the rest of Peru with the people I met.”

changing the global business landscape. Japan provided an interesting contrast in cultures with their much more formal approach and long relationship with

Tiffany Hu ’12, India “The nightly procession that returned the book of Sikh scripture from the Golden Temple to the Akal Takhat in Amritsar had just concluded. We watched in awe as people around us mobilized to clean the entire grounds – some were even on the roof of the temple, methodically polishing every square inch. This peaceful and purposeful image will always remain with me as I think back to my time in India.”

Western commerce. I was humbled by the rich and historical traditions of these two countries, and I even got a

Jordan Floyd ’12, India “I traveled to Achrol, India in May 2010 to work for Vatsalya, a nonprofit organization that rescues and cares for street children. I gained a great appreciation for the luxuries of American life, and I learned so much about a culture that was vastly different from anything I had ever seen.”

chance to swim in the Beijing Olympic Water Cube!” —Glenn Branscomb ’13, China & Japan

Griffin Rice ’11, France, Italy “The 2010 UGA Garden Tour in Italy and France was absolutely amazing. I saw some of the most beautiful and historic places in Europe with a great group of people.”

Trevor Hohorst ’13, United Kingdom “Studying abroad at Oxford has been the highlight of my college career so far!”

Foundation Fellows & R amse y Honors Schol ars Annual Report

The Ramsey Honors Scholarship provides a $3,000 travel-study grant, which was utilized by the following students this year: Glenn Branscomb

Beijing, Dalian, and Shanghai, China

Jordan Floyd

Delhi and Jaipur, India

Samantha Gray

Okinawa and Shikoku, Japan

Camille Gregory

Flamingo, Heredia, Monteverde, and San JosĂŠ, Costa Rica

Stephen Lago

Riobamba, Ecuador

Aisha Mahmood

Harbin, China

Emily Peng

Cusco and Lima, Peru

Mariana Satterly

Marrakech, Morocco

Ryan Sheets

Kaohsiung, Tainan, and Taipei, Taiwan

Pranay Udutha

Zurich, Switzerland

Sheila Vedala

Manama, Bahrain

Foundation Fellows & R amse y Honors Schol ars Annual Report

RAMSEY SCHOLARS – INTERNSHIPS “In Summer 2010 I had the Honors in Savannah Internship with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Georgia. I worked on a project for the criminal division creating a database of Project Ceasefire cases, which will keep track

Jordan Floyd ’12, Tennessee Titans “As an Athletic Training/Sports Medicine Intern with the Tennessee Titans, I gained a great deal of hands-on experience working with elite athletes in high pressure situations. I also got to experience the professional sports world and the chaos that is often part of daily life as a professional athlete or a member of their support staff.” Joseph Rimando ’11, NC Diabetes Prevention and Control Program “I interned with the North Carolina Diabetes Prevention and Control Program through the UNC Summer Public Health Fellowship. I wrote policy platforms, analyzed trends in gestational diabetes data, helped lead diabetes education classes, and analyzed the effectiveness of diabetes education programs. This internship revealed new career options available to me in public health.”

of the office’s success rate in prosecuting those cases. For the civil division, I helped create a list of companies in the downtown Savannah area that were not complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Shadowing brilliant Assistant U.S. Attorneys in the courtroom, I got to see every part of the trial experience – from jury selection through sentencing.” —Laura Wynn ’11, U.S. Attorney’s Office

Camille Gregory ’13, Carl Vinson Institute of Government “This spring I was awarded a Carl Vinson Institute of Government Research Fellowship in conjunction with the Roosevelt Institute @ UGA Scholars Class. Interning at the Vinson Institute introduced me to a variety of government research opportunities and opened other opportunities through the mentors and advisors I met in the process.” Ryan Sheets ’12, Victory Health Partners “Volunteering as a triage staff member at Victory Health Partners gave me an up-close medical experience that cannot be simulated in a classroom. My time highlighted the personal connections that medical personnel develop with patients on a daily basis.”

Foundation Fellows & R amse y Honors Schol ars Annual Report

Ramsey Scholars Internships Jordan Floyd ’12

Athletic Training/Sports Medicine Intern, Tennessee Titans , Nashville, TN; University of Georgia Athletic Association, Athens, GA

Camille Gregory ’13

Carl Vinson Institute of Government Research Fellow, Athens, GA; Freedman Consulting, LLC, Washington, DC

Aisha Mahmood ’12

Chemistry Lab Intern, Laboratory of Dr. Charles Kutal, UGA Department of Chemistry, Athens, GA

Erika Parker ’11

Athens Regional Medical Center, Athens, GA

Joseph Rimando ’11

University of North Carolina Summer Public Health Fellowship, Chapel Hill, NC

Ryan Sheets ’12

Center for Dermatology, Mobile, AL; Azalea City Plastic Surgery, Mobile, AL; Victory Health Partners, Mobile, AL

Sheila Vedala ’12

Berlitz Language Learning, Manama, Bahrain

Andrew Watts ’11

Brandon for Mayor Committee, Athens, GA

Laura Wynn ’11

U.S. Attorney’s Office, Savannah, GA

Foundation Fellows & R amse y Honors Schol ars Annual Report

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The University of Georgia Foundation Fellows Program 215 Moore College Athens, Georgia 30602-6127 706-542-5482 www.uga.edu/honors