Arielle Patterson and Jemual Shaylor 鈥�21, members of 麻豆原创鈥檚 M.D. Class of 2026, matched at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and Naval Medical Center San Diego, respectively.

Both are recipients of the military鈥檚 Health Professions Scholarship, which covers tuition and living expenses for medical students who agree to serve their country for one year for each year of scholarship.

Walter Reed-Bound

Patterson is focused on improving health through physical activity, specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation.

鈥淎s a doctor who is really passionate about fitness and physical medicine and rehabilitation, I want to really inspire the next generation of younger people to live healthier lives, earlier,鈥� she says.

She also wants to expand access to healthcare and encourage more students from medically under resourced communities to enter the field of medicine. Research shows that patients have better outcomes when they feel they can connect to their physician’s personal background.

鈥淭here鈥檚 a lot of times in medical school where we feel alone, or like the only ones who have gone through this, but so many people have done this before,鈥� she says. 鈥淗opefully I can help bring us a little bit more together.鈥�

Patterson has already begun working toward that goal, serving as director for Region IV of the Student National Medical Association, a student organization committed to improving access to the medical field and building culturally competent and clinically excellent physicians. She helped organize SNMA鈥檚 annual regional conference that will be in Orlando, February 20-22, bringing together physicians and medical students from across the southeast United States.

Patterson completed her bachelor鈥檚 degree in cellular and molecular biology at Hampton University before joining 麻豆原创鈥檚 M.D. Class of 2026. She says she chose the 麻豆原创 medical school for its youth and innovative, team-oriented culture.

Inspired to Serve

Shaylor was inspired to enter military service by former Assistant Professor Jose Borrero, who was a U.S. Air Force flight surgeon during Vietnam before becoming a founding faculty member at 麻豆原创. Now retired, Borrero continues to serve as a mentor to 麻豆原创 medical students.

During medical school, military students have the opportunity to undergo active-duty and officer leadership training at military centers around the country. In April, Shaylor will follow in Borrero鈥檚 footsteps to attend flight surgeon training in Norfolk, Virginia.

Specializing in general surgery, Shaylor hopes to eventually become a hand surgeon.

鈥淎 hand surgeon is almost a working man鈥檚 surgeon. You need your hands to do your job, or almost anything so when you鈥檙e able to restore function to any level, it has a major impact on a person鈥檚 life,鈥� Shaylor says. 鈥淚f I can do that, especially in the military where hand injuries are quite common, that would be a calling I would love.鈥�

Shaylor earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering with a minor in bioengineering from 麻豆原创.

The Match Process

Before practicing medicine on their own, M.D. graduates must undergo residency training in their chosen specialty. This graduate medical education training takes three to seven years, depending on the specialty.

During their fourth year, medical students interview with residency programs across the country before ranking their top choices. Residency programs do the same before the National Residency Matching Service analyzes the rankings and matches graduates to GME programs. Most results are revealed on National Match Day, which is March 20 this year. Military programs and some specialties match early.

The college鈥檚 new Primary Care Scholarship Program is providing about 100 medical students with financial aid and unique clinical experiences caring for a variety of patient groups 鈥� from Special Olympians to seniors 鈥� to expose them to the broad career opportunities in internal medicine, family medicine and pediatrics. The goal, say college leaders, is to encourage students to stay in state to become community physicians.

鈥淏eing a primary care physician is about being a part of someone鈥檚 life,鈥� says Jeff LaRochelle, associate dean for academic affairs and an internal medicine specialist by training. 鈥淲e have students at 麻豆原创 who grew up in communities that need outstanding, engaged physicians; places like Ocala, Pensacola, Kissimmee, Tallahassee, Gainesville. We are hoping that we can encourage them to stay here and provide needed care to the communities that raised them.鈥�

The two-year grant was one of four given this year by the Health Resources and Services Administration to help address the nation鈥檚 primary care physician shortage. Medical school leaders hope 麻豆原创鈥檚 program can be used as a national model and be successful enough to become sustainable after the grant ends.

Florida鈥檚 Need for Physicians Is Great

Only 73% of Florida residents report having a personal physician. And the nationwide physician shortage hits Florida harder for several reasons.

First is the state鈥檚 fast-growing population, which is projected to grow by 6 million people in just the next five years. The Florida Department of Health reports a current 12% gap between the supply and demand for physicians, which is expected to more than double to 28% by 2035.

Florida ranks 45^th nationally in health access and affordability. Florida鈥檚 high percentage of residents over age 65 鈥� 22% and expected to reach 26% by 2035 鈥� require more healthcare services, further exacerbating access to care.

Florida also has more uninsured residents (11.2%) than the national average (8%), according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The physician shortage is also more pronounced in rural, remote and under-resourced urban communities.

麻豆原创鈥檚 College of Medicine has graduated more than 500 new physicians in the last five years and 36% of those new graduates went into primary care specialties. However, almost 70% of those new doctors left Florida for their residency training.

Through a partnership with HCA Healthcare, 麻豆原创 has Florida鈥檚 fastest growing residency and fellowship programs.

麻豆原创鈥檚 new program is designed to inspire graduates to stay in-state while encouraging more students to become primary care physicians. Through a partnership with HCA Healthcare, 麻豆原创 has Florida鈥檚 fastest growing residency and fellowship programs. LaRochelle hopes the new primary care program will better link 麻豆原创鈥檚 undergraduate and residency training.

鈥淥ur hope is to reach out to medical students and offer them a path to do their residency in their hometown and provide needed care to their community,鈥� he says.

In addition, doctors who provide care for communities in need are also eligible for forgiveness for their medical school loans.

Students Say Program Opened Their Eyes, Hearts

First-year 麻豆原创 medical student Sarah Khan 鈥�24 was raised in Kissimmee. She participated in the College of Medicine鈥檚 summer Health Leaders Camp, which inspired her to pursue medicine as a career. She worked at a pharmacy before entering medical school and earned her bachelor’s degree from 麻豆原创 in biomedical sciences. She is part of the Primary Care Scholarship Program.

鈥淚n the pharmacy, I saw the challenges my neighbors are facing,鈥� she says. 鈥淭his is the community that helped raise me. Doctors in this community mentored me. I want to stay here and help improve the health of the people around me.鈥�

鈥淒octors in this community mentored me. I want to stay here and help improve the health of the people around me.鈥� 鈥斅� Sarah Khan 鈥�24, 麻豆原创 College of Medicine student

In its first months, the program provided multiple extra-curricular experiences for students. They visited and went on rounds with physicians providing primary care to residents at the university-supported retirement community. They did healthcare screenings for Special Olympians participating in a golfing event and were so popular they were invited back to the Special Olympics Florida State Fall Classic.

They did simulated training with residents from the 麻豆原创-HCA Internal Medicine residency at HCA Florida Ocala Hospital and learned how to react to multiple emergencies 鈥� from asthma attacks in the wilderness to broken limbs.

Primary care scholarship M.D. student Christian Sachs is a self-described 鈥渟ports guy鈥� who spent his youth playing soccer and later coached the sport. The Sarasota native said he came to med school thinking he might want a more 鈥渉ands-on鈥� specialty than primary care. Then he spent time during the program working with internal medicine doctors who are sports medicine specialists at AdventHealth-affiliated Rothman Orthopaedics.

He worked on the sidelines of a high school football game where primary care doctors serve as team physicians.

鈥淚 was able to see when medicine and sports come together,鈥� he says. 鈥淲hen I was playing and coaching, we never had that level of care. If someone twisted an ankle, we had to look for someone to help us know how serious it was. It was incredible to see physicians working with the trainers to provide such a strong level of care for our high school athletes. Standing on the sidelines with them was one of the best experiences I鈥檝e had in medical school.鈥�

Magda Pasarica, professor of medicine at the medical school, is program director and primary investigator for the primary care program. She is an M.D./Ph.D. whose specialty is family medicine. She hopes the program can expose 麻豆原创鈥檚 physicians-in-training to all the options for their future, whether they decide to go into primary care or not.

鈥淭here are so many options in my specialty alone 鈥� sports medicine, geriatrics, research. Family medicine allows you to take care of generations,鈥� she says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 where you can impact the health of an entire family.鈥�

For more than five decades, the has long championed the power of scholarships to transform lives. The club raises funds to support both undergraduate and graduate students, with undergraduate awards named in honor of the club鈥檚 first ladies and reserved for nontraditional, full-time students who demonstrate outstanding potential.

Graduate scholarships are presented in honor of Sheila B. Somerville, a beloved member of the Women鈥檚 Club whose legacy lives on through the Sheila B. Somerville Endowed Graduate Scholarship. After her passing, her husband, Paul Somerville, a professor emeritus of statistics and data research at 麻豆原创, established the scholarship with a generous $100,000 endowment. It remains one of the most significant gifts in the club鈥檚 history and continues to support promising graduate students in their academic journeys.

To date, the Women鈥檚 Club at 麻豆原创 has awarded 527 scholarships and more than $250,000 to support full-time graduate students.

Since its founding in 1969, the Women鈥檚 Club at 麻豆原创 has remained unwavering in its mission to support students. Today, its 194 members embody the motto moving forward by giving back. To date, they鈥檝e awarded 527 scholarships and more than $250,000 from their endowment fund to support full-time graduate students. Each Sheila B. Somerville Scholarship awards $1,500 over two academic terms, helping recipients further their education.

This year鈥檚 awardees, Anastasija Popkova, Catherine Johnson, and Saba Mohammad Hosseini, exemplify perseverance, academic excellence, and a commitment to giving back. Their achievements reflect the transformative power of education and the importance of supporting future leaders.

Anastasija Popkova

From a young age, Anastasija Popkova knew she wanted to be a mental health counselor. The support she received from her therapist in middle school inspired an early appreciation of self-awareness and emotional education.

鈥淭he self-empowerment and self-awareness techniques I learned really empowered me and [helped] me 鈥� understand myself, family systems and cross-cultural behaviors,鈥� she says. 鈥淚t inspired me to want to teach others what I had learned in hopes that they would feel the same empowerment and have understanding for their society.鈥�

Now pursuing her master鈥檚 in counselor education on the clinical mental health counseling track, Popkova is passionate about sharing that same sense of empowerment with her clients. That passion also extends to her research, which focuses on childhood trauma, community training clinics and the effectiveness of clinical interventions. Ultimately, she aims to work with adolescents, supporting their self-esteem, emotional regulation, and healing from generational trauma, with long-term goals of earning a doctoral degree, leading research projects, and mentoring future mental health counselors.

鈥淚n the future, I hope to be an inspiration for my clients to teach the techniques learned in therapy to their peers and family by leading as an example,鈥� she says.

The Sheila B. Somerville Scholarship has been both affirming and impactful for Popkova. Beyond alleviating some of her financial stress, she says it鈥檚 allowed her to focus her energy on what she鈥檚 most passionate about 鈥� helping others.

鈥淭his award [has] made me feel seen 鈥� that my hard work is recognized and supported by a group of strong and amazing women who come together to empower students starting their careers,鈥� Popkova says.

Catherine Johnson

A yoga therapist and studio owner, Catherine Johnson brings a holistic approach to mental health counseling. Her work is driven by the belief that individuals with complex or childhood trauma benefit greatly from therapeutic methods that incorporate both the body and mind.

Now a graduate student in the clinical mental health counseling program at 麻豆原创, Johnson is completing an internship at the Aspire Women鈥檚 Residential Center for Human Trafficking Survivors, where she provides both counseling services and trauma-informed yoga classes designed to help survivors reconnect with their bodies.

鈥淭his award enables me to focus on my studies and continue developing my unique services during the internship,鈥� Johnson says. 鈥淚t is my belief that many mental health issues stem from early learnings and survival responses to ongoing relational trauma in a person鈥檚 life, and that counseling methods that offer a holistic, 鈥榖ottom up鈥� approach can change lives.鈥�

Johnson is deeply committed to serving communities that may lack access to or awareness of holistic healing methods. Her program鈥檚 focus on serving resource-limited populations reflects her dedication to ensuring care is available to all.

鈥淚 love what I am doing at my internship site and feel ready and excited to begin my licensure process and serve 鈥� people who reach out for mental health services,鈥� Johnson says.

She hopes to one day mentor other counselors interested in integrating holistic practices into their work.

Saba Mohammad Hosseini

Doctoral student Saba Mohammad Hosseini is carving out her own path in electrical engineering 鈥� a field she once found intimidating.

Although she鈥檚 always loved math, Hosseini initially hesitated to pursue electrical engineering because it seemed too difficult. At one point, she even considered studying architecture instead. But ultimately, she followed her passion and has never looked back.

鈥淭hough it is challenging, doing well in a tough field is very rewarding,鈥� Hosseini says.

Now, she鈥檚 conducting innovative research that uses artificial intelligence to improve communication between vehicles and smart city infrastructure. Her work focuses on predicting the optimal positioning of data links between moving vehicles and nearby devices, such as traffic lights, to maintain continuous and reliable connections. The research supports safer, smarter driving experiences, including timely traffic alerts and accurate countdowns.

鈥淚 aim to grow both my engineering skills and my soft skills so I am ready for the job market, with a path that may include academia. I hope to keep balance in life, help my community and make a positive difference,鈥� she says.

Hosseini鈥檚 time at 麻豆原创 has been deeply enriching thanks to a supportive advisor and the opportunities she’s been given.

鈥淢y Ph.D. has not been easy, but the support I [have] at 麻豆原创 has been incredible,鈥� she says.

鈥淭his award will ease my education and living costs. It has already made me more excited about my academic path and [has] made me feel seen. One day, I hope to support students and pass that encouragement on.鈥�

The Women鈥檚 Club at 麻豆原创 remains committed to supporting exceptional students like Popkova, Johnson and Hosseini through scholarships and mentorship. Contributions to the Sheila B. Somerville Endowed Graduate Scholarship Fund help secure long-term support for graduate students, while gifts to current-use funds provide immediate assistance.

To learn more or to donate, visit the website.

Today, the 24-year-old is on the cusp of earning two graduate degrees simultaneously, having elevated 麻豆原创鈥檚 reputation as a community and society changemaker along the way with the AI for Nonprofits course she helped develop. These milestones aren鈥檛 just personal. They鈥檙e also serving her biggest passion: helping others.

That鈥檚 the thing about opportunity. Sometimes all you need is a chance, a dash of inspiration and someone who believes in you.

Charting Her Own Path

Dones, who was born in Cuba, was just 2 years old when her family immigrated to Miami. Growing up, she viewed attending college as a somewhat unattainable goal.

鈥淚 remember discussions with my parents where they would say that college is for the wealthy, or that we’d cross that bridge when we get there,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 didn’t have anyone to rely on for mentorship because my parents didn’t know anyone that had been to college before, and all of our family was in Cuba.鈥�

In high school, she joined the International Baccalaureate program and learned about financial aid opportunities such as Bright Futures scholarships. A teacher encouraged her to seek out more scholarship opportunities from Miami-based nonprofits and foundations. That鈥檚 when she realized college was within her reach.

鈥淚 thought, 鈥業f everyone around me is doing this, what’s stopping me?鈥欌�� she says.

Dones connected with the Key Biscayne Community Foundation, a nonprofit organization that helps students achieve their educational goals like the ones of her own. With assistance from the foundation and other nonprofits, Dones ended up receiving $20,000 in scholarships to attend 麻豆原创.

The support not only sparked her academic career; it also inspired a calling to give back to others.

She pulled up others with her along the way as an undergrad, serving as a mentor for local high school students and impressed upon them the importance of internships. She realized how much she loved positively impacting them.

That鈥檚 when her own mentor, Josefina Rosario 鈥� assistant director for access and student support at 鈥� suggested enrolling in the public administration and nonprofit management dual-degree graduate program next. It was a decision that would further fuel her passion for helping others.

Through the program, housed in , Dones has engaged in real-world experiences that simulate what it鈥檚 like to work in the nonprofit and public sectors. Through service-learning, she evaluated and helped develop a strategic fundraising plan for a local nonprofit. She鈥檚 also created budgets for the City of Orlando and analyzed how both the city and Orange County Sheriff鈥檚 Office use social media. She attended her first professional conference.

Perhaps some of the most invaluable experience she has gained involves the industry鈥檚 intersection with artificial intelligence.

Leveraging AI for Community Impact

Through the 麻豆原创 Applied AI Innovation Initiative, Dones has been working with associate lecturer and initiative lead 鈥�11笔丑顿 in using generative AI tools to find innovative solutions for challenges in educational and behavioral interventions. During her time as a student fellow for the initiative, Dones has learned to harness the power of AI to create apps, websites, data dashboards, chat bots, online courses and even a board game that enhances financial management skills 鈥� all without having a technical background.

鈥淚 never thought I would be able to build an app, but now we can with the help of AI,鈥� she says. 鈥淲hen I saw that I can do something like that or create a website with the help of AI, I wanted to continue doing it. Nonprofit organizations tend to get left behind when there’s new technology out there. I imagined how AI can help a nonprofit with time or resource constraints, and that鈥檚 how my passion for learning about it started.鈥�

鈥淚 imagined how AI can help a nonprofit with time or resource constraints, and that鈥檚 how my passion for learning about it started.鈥� 鈥� Ketty Dones 鈥�23

Dones has played a significant role for the Applied AI Innovation Initiative in helping local nonprofits leverage AI to boost creativity and efficiency in advancing their missions. She contributed to creating an AI Impact Hub, an app that serves as a one-stop shop to connect nonprofits with resources and engage with other nonprofit leaders through a discussion forum. She鈥檚 also assisted in hosting workshops that explore how AI can be used as a tool to assist nonprofits with social media, fundraising, compliance and evaluation.

Most notably, Dones helped the team develop an in partnership with that covers topics ranging from grant writing, evaluation, storytelling and prompting with AI to ethical guardrails, accountability and security when using the technology, as well as best practices for integrating AI tools in day-to-day operations. The course is also used in the Innovation and Technical Assistance Program, which provides hands-on assistance to local nonprofits engaging with AI-powered tools to help strengthen their organizational capacity.

In fact, 26 Orange County nonprofits graduated from the program last month with an AI for Nonprofits certificate.

Full Circle and Ever Upward

If it helps bridge the gap between AI and nonprofit organizations, count Dones in.

鈥淚 always like to think of AI as a thought partner and ask how it can help elevate ideas, not create them,鈥� Dones says. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 why I think it’s so important for the public and nonprofit sectors to leverage this technology. Continuing education in the nonprofit and public administration sectors is always important, but especially now with learning how to integrate AI tools.鈥�

Although AI has served as her assistant in creating innovative solutions for others, it鈥檚 the combination of her grit and determination to succeed along with a passion for serving others that assists her in unlocking the potential not just within herself but also in the community.

“Ketty has impressed me since day one,鈥� Concha says. 鈥淏etween her contributions to the AI for Nonprofits course and developing impactful resources using AI and advanced prompting techniques, she is a prime example of a student without a technical background using AI for social good.”

For now, Dones will continue working with Concha and the Applied AI Innovation Initiative to further develop AI tools and solutions, working toward certifications and mentoring nonprofit partners along the way. Although she is considering pursuing a career in AI product management or sales down the road, it鈥檚 using her knowledge to set up nonprofits for success that she finds most rewarding.

After all, her accomplishments thus far and her bright future wouldn鈥檛 have been possible without some help from nonprofit organizations along the way.

鈥淚 always think about the Key Biscayne Community Foundation and other nonprofit organizations that helped me receive funding to go to school,鈥� she says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 kind of full circle for me now. I feel that I can give back to my local community in understanding not just the challenges nonprofits face but also how I can help them in the future.鈥�

Inspired by the Voyager Scholarship’s impact on young people, Gomez says she wanted to apply to make a more significant difference in the world, especially in healthcare for those who may not have access to it or the resources to do so.

“The Voyager scholarship supports and equips young leaders to view challenges on a global scale and get these experiences where you are able to further learn and explore the world,” says Gomez, who is double majoring in biochemistry and biomedical sciences.

Created in 2022 by the Obamas and Brian Chesky, co-founder and CEO of Airbnb, the Voyager Scholarship, is designed to inspire, empower, and connect the next generation of leaders and equip them with the tools and resources they need to launch their careers in public service.

Scholarship recipients are awarded up to $50,000 in financial aid, a $10,000 stipend, and free Airbnb housing for their Summer Voyage 鈥� a self-designed international travel experience during the summer between junior and senior years. After graduation, the scholars receive $2,000 in Airbnb travel credit annually for 10 years to help them continue to broaden their horizons and forge new connections as they continue their work in public service.

That opportunity to give back over the long term is important to Gomez. Before she moved to the United States in 2017, she grew up in Venezuela and, through her own experiences, saw the need for more accessible healthcare, she says.

“I had a firsthand understanding of [issues] that other world populations encounter when trying to access healthcare,” Gomez says.

She says this sparked her passion for healthcare, and after moving to the U.S., her passion for the sciences grew through new opportunities and the people she met.

Along with seeing the crisis in her home country, Gomez shared that last year, she spent the summer in Puerto Rico helping the residents devastated by Hurricane Maria.

“We worked a lot with elderly populations … and the majority of them had chronic conditions,” Gomez says. “I heard from some individuals about their decision to move back from the States because they wanted culturally competent physicians who could understand and serve them better.”

Gomez has found inspiration to help others from unexpected people along her journey, she says. They are people she鈥檚 encountered on a daily basis and who have transformed her outlook on the world.

鈥淛ust seeing how cheerful my bus drivers for 麻豆原创 are makes a difference,鈥� Gomez says. 鈥淚 have to wake up early to catch the bus, but I realized that my bus drivers must wake up even earlier to be there and still have the energy and cheerfulness to greet me daily with a 鈥榞ood morning.鈥� Those small gifts to me have helped me to be empathetic toward others and opened up my perspective to see the contributions that other people make in various ways throughout your day and your life.鈥�

Gomez says she wants immigrants to have better access to healthcare and education because of their positive impact on the workforce, economy, and country.

“Access to healthcare can prevent treatable conditions that could then become a burden in the entire system,” Gomez says. 鈥淭hese changes have the power to change many lives.鈥�

Gomez says being a Voyager has opened her life to a world of opportunities.

“[Being a Voyager,] means the opportunity to embrace change and explore perspectives and enrich understanding of global challenges and solutions,” Gomez says. “Being a Voyager is about using these experiences to foster innovation, to drive change, and advocate for what you really believe and the change you want to see.”

Gomez says she wants other students who are pursuing change through public service to know that there is always an opportunity for them.

“It often only just takes one yes from a mentor, from a scholarship committee or just a program coordinator to just open up doors and opportunities from there on that branch up into even greater opportunities,” she says.

Students interested in applying for the Voyager Scholarship or other major national awards should contact the Office of Prestigious Awards at opa@ucf.edu.

Ten Knights were selected for the 2024 Department of Defense (DoD) Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship, an educational and workforce opportunity available to undergraduate and graduate students pursuing STEM degrees. The program covers the cost of tuition and education related expenses, provides an annual stipend of at least $30,000 a year, provides a mentored internship experience during the summer and offers employment at a DoD facility upon degree completion. The goal of the program is to build a workforce of leaders in the STEM disciplines.

The recipients are:

• Brandon Allen
• Matthew Hadad
• Emily Kinkead
• Joseph Lee
• Thomas Nguyen
• Conner Parsay
• Jordyn Sitson
• Jeffery Smith
• Enilda Velazquez 鈥�20
• Louis Vest

Brandon Allen

Master鈥檚 in electrical engineering student

As a gifted math and science student, Allen says he always wanted to be an engineer, something his mom encouraged during his childhood. He chose electrical engineering for its novelty compared to other more well-known disciplines.

鈥淚 chose electrical engineering because it deals with concepts that are so unknown to most people, almost as if it were a form of magic,鈥� Allen says.

He was drawn to 麻豆原创 for two reasons: his family in close proximity, and for its optics programs, which are ranked in the top 30 worldwide according to U.S. News & World Report.

鈥淚 chose 麻豆原创 because of its optics program. In my line of work, I deal with infrared cameras and other electro-optical devices,鈥� Allen says. 鈥淎lso, I have family members in the area that will help make 麻豆原创 feel like a home away from home.鈥�

Allen adds that he applied to the SMART scholarship program for the financial opportunity to attend school full time.

鈥淚 plan on using my education to help foster innovation within the Air Force,鈥� he says. 鈥淎lso, I have hopes that an M.S. degree will help me obtain promotions and take on more of a leadership role.鈥�

Matthew Hadad

Bachelor鈥檚 in electrical engineering student

Electrical engineering major Hadad knew he had a penchant for electrical engineering from his interest in circuit math from a high school course, AP Physics I. His pursuit of the field is also an homage to his mom, who had planned on studying electrical engineering herself.

鈥淢y mother was going to be an electrical engineering major, but she could not finish because she had given birth to me, and I was a bigger priority for her than her major,鈥� Hadad says.

麻豆原创 wasn鈥檛 the school he dreamed of growing up, but a high school friend convinced him to become a Knight and he hasn鈥檛 looked back since. When he learned of the opportunity to pursue the SMART scholarship, its military ties were a natural fit for him. Hadad says he was always fascinated with naval history, particularly of navies during World War II.

鈥淚 am very grateful for the SMART Scholar program. After I receive my M.S. degree, I plan to work for the U.S. Department of Defense for as long as possible,鈥� Hadad says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 something I have wanted to do and could see myself doing in the future.鈥�

Emily Kinkead

Bachelor鈥檚 in photonics science and engineering student

As a transfer student, Kinkead has yet to step foot on the 麻豆原创 campus, but she鈥檚 already made quite the impact. The photonics science and engineering major spent the summer at the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center at the Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey, where she鈥檚 already participated in several STEM outreach programs. She says she鈥檚 excited for the opportunity to intern there and looks forward to learning as much as she can from the experience.

鈥淭here is so much to learn and experience,鈥� Kinkead says. 鈥淗aving the ability to do so with the support of SMART means that I will be pushed and challenged as I pursue my degree, which I hope one day will make me an invaluable member of the DoD family.鈥�

Joseph Lee

Doctorate in chemistry student

After serving on the front line for the U.S. Army, Lee aims to make a difference in military labs to advance nuclear security research. As a chemist, his doctoral research, which is conducted under the guidance of Assistant Professor Vasileios Anagnostopoulos, focuses on understanding the interactions of radioactive elements, such as actinides, with molecules found in nature. Applications for this work can range from radioactive waste management 鈥� including response to events such as Fukushima nuclear accident in 2011 鈥� to efficient use of nuclear fuel and even recycling.

鈥淚 aspire to join the Airforce Technical Application Center (AFTAC) located on Patrick Space Force Base upon my graduation,鈥� Lee says. 鈥淭here I will have the opportunity to contribute to the nation鈥檚 mission related to nuclear security and global monitoring of nuclear activities under the DoD.鈥�

With the SMART Scholarship, Lee is on the right path to his dream career as he鈥檒l be interning at AFTAC each summer until he graduates.

鈥淭he DoD is offering opportunities for the next generation of subject matter experts in the field of nuclear science and technology,鈥� Lee says. 鈥淎long with this, 麻豆原创 is providing me the fundamental academic resources and training as a graduate student. These opportunities will provide me with a unique skillset in the future of scientific progression.鈥�

Thomas Nguyen

Doctorate in biomedical engineering student

Nguyen is no stranger to prestigious internships. The biomedical engineering doctoral student previously completed the Naval Research Enterprise Internship Program (NREIP), sponsored by the Office of Naval Research. Fittingly, Nguyen completed his DoD SMART internship with the Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division (NAWCTSD). He says both his time at 麻豆原创 and his experience with NREIP have prepared him for this opportunity.

鈥淣otably, my involvement in projects like the T-45 Flight Simulator Development and the Dental Aerosol Reduction System (DARS) project during my NREIP internships has provided me with firsthand experience in applying engineering principles to defense-related simulations,鈥� Nguyen says. 鈥淭hese experiences have prepared me to excel in a dynamic and challenging environment, where innovation and technical expertise are paramount.鈥�

Nguyen will work under the mentorship of senior research and development engineer Rocco Portoghese, assisting with projects that leverage simulation technologies to enhance the effectiveness of military training. Through his work, Nguyen hopes to enhance his knowledge of simulation technologies, develop technical skills in electrical circuitry and 3D design, and emerge from the internship as a leader ready for a career with a defense organization.

鈥淭his opportunity represents a pivotal moment in my academic and professional journey, allowing me to contribute directly to defense technology while furthering my education,鈥� Nguyen says. 鈥淚 am eager to immerse myself in challenging projects and collaborate with experts in the field, ultimately making meaningful contributions to the defense industry.鈥�

Jordyn Sitson

Bachelor鈥檚 in information technology聽 student

After graduation, Jordyn Sitson plans to become a cyber analyst and researcher. Now in her senior year, she鈥檚 already lined up a job with the DoD.

鈥淢y favorite part of the cybersecurity field has always been finding the clues that lead up to a cyber-attack, and by pursuing a career as an analyst and researcher I鈥檒l be able to search for these traces firsthand and stay up to date on any trends that may be related to the cause of potential cyberattacks,鈥� Sitson says.

The computer science major heard about the SMART Scholarship through a speaker at the Women in Cybersecurity Club at 麻豆原创. 鈥淭he scholarship is still relatively unknown and easy to apply for,鈥� Sitson says. 鈥淚 encourage anyone in STEM that is looking for a chance to get a head start working and gaining experience at a DoD facility to apply for this scholarship.鈥�

This summer, Sitson gained experience as a cybersecurity intern at NAVFAC, the Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command in Jacksonville, Florida. There she worked with four cybersecurity teams, which helped her decide to work with the Operational Technology team for the following summers.

鈥淟earning information and applying it are completely different so I hope that with this real-world experience I become a better cyber analyst that can help contribute to NAVFAC鈥檚 mission,鈥� Sitson says.

Jeffery Smith

Master鈥檚 in civil engineering student

麻豆原创鈥檚 reputation for engineering education, its proximity to prominent engineering organizations and its partnerships with industry giants like the DoD persuaded Smith to become a Knight. That decision paid off for Smith, who will conveniently complete his internship at his current workplace, the Jacksonville District Office of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Smith works under the mentorship of civil engineer Tony Ledford, learning how to apply the concepts he鈥檚 learned in the classroom to the real world.

鈥淚 look forward to benefiting from Tony Ledford’s experience as a mentor and learning about creative engineering techniques, efficient project management techniques and problem-solving techniques,鈥� Smith says. 鈥淚n addition, I’m excited to expand my professional networks and ties inside the DoD, which will be very helpful for my future job.鈥�

Smith says the opportunity to work for the DoD, and to receive financial support for his graduate students, were just a few benefits that drew him to the SMART Scholar program.

鈥淕etting chosen as a SMART Scholar is a thrilling and incredibly fulfilling experience,鈥� Smith says. 鈥淜nowing that my efforts and commitment have been acknowledged in a fiercely competitive sector is a great source of pride and achievement.鈥�

Enilda Velazquez 鈥�20

Doctorate in human factors and cognitive psychology student, bachelor鈥檚 in psychology alum with minors in cognitive sciences, and international and national security

Inspired by her parents鈥� work in civilian defense through the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy, Velazquez aims to be a scientist contributing to U.S. national security. At 麻豆原创, Velazquez has engaged in several research experiences, including previous efforts with the Transportation Research Group Lab and current work with the Minds in Technology, Machines in Thought (MIT2) Lab.

鈥淢y research is on visual performance, but specifically multi-target search, [which is] how we look at multiple things of interest in a scene that has other things that are not of interest,鈥� she says. 鈥淭he biggest impact of my work is safety.鈥�

While Velazquez says she鈥檚 had some valuable research experiences at 麻豆原创, she鈥檚 looking forward to taking her work to the next level with optics work at the C5ISR Center, which is one of eight science and technology domains within the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command, known as DEVCOM. She also says she鈥檚 looking forward to serving as an apprentice to a mentor working in the field.

鈥淚’m very excited just be on hands-on projects and kind of learn by doing. I love learning by doing. I feel like that’s most of my career has been learning by doing,鈥� Velazquez says. 鈥淎nd so just to be on projects where I can see this kind of research be applied real time, I feel like that’s honestly the most invaluable part of this entire thing.”

Louis Vest

Doctorate in aerospace engineering student

Before Louis Vest decided a doctoral degree, he debated following in his father and grandfather鈥檚 steps to join the military. With the SMART Scholarship program, he鈥檚 able to serve his country in a different way.

鈥淢y father instilled in me a very serious work ethic and a dedication to take advantage of opportunities that he did not have, in this case, being able to go to school,鈥� Vest says. 鈥淚 think the biggest driving force for [why I applied to] SMART was 鈥� 聽having the opportunity to serve my country as a civilian contractor with the DoD.鈥�

Vest always knew he wanted to be an engineer, but his journey at 麻豆原创 solidified his career would be in the aerospace industry. The doctoral student鈥檚 research focuses on fundamental fuel chemistry, and he is mentored by Professor Subith Vasu, who studies clean energy and hypersonic travel advancement.

鈥淯pon connecting with [Dr. Vasu], he was the reason that I came out to 麻豆原创,鈥� Vest says. 鈥淚 had done a little bit of reading on research opportunities with Vasu that students were able to pave their way through, and it felt like a very natural fit. 鈥� The environment, and by extension the community, that 麻豆原创 fosters, particularly in the sciences, is unparalleled.鈥�

Next summer, he鈥檒l intern at the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Indian Head, Maryland, gaining hands-on experience and industry insights that would normally take years to achieve, he says.

鈥淚 hope to be a part of the next generation of researchers who find the most efficient fuels to be used in the aerospace and astronomical industries,鈥� Vest says, 鈥淎nd I’m hoping to gain the opportunity to work alongside other engineers and partners to effectively help pave the way for the next frontier, which I believe is a space.鈥�

The national program, led by Jonas Nursing and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, aims to improve healthcare by expanding the pool of doctoral-prepared nurses needed to educate the next generation of nurse leaders.

The Jonas Scholar program will aid Logvinov in her academic and research pursuits. In addition to financial support, Jonas Scholars receive mentorship and a curriculum tailored to providing students with the learning experiences they need to successfully transition into a faculty role.

鈥淚 am thankful to be selected as a Jonas Scholar, which will support my academic and professional goals to improve nursing practice and patient care,鈥� she says.

Immigrating to the U.S. to Pursue Possibilities

Selection for this program is a testament to Logvinov鈥檚 grit, determination and hard work.

鈥淔or me, becoming a nurse educator is not just a career to-do list, it is a relentless tug from within that I could not ignore due to my persistent academic determination,鈥� Logvinov says.

Logvinov is a first-generation college graduate. She earned her nursing degree and began her nursing career in the Ukraine before immigrating to the U.S. in 1997.

鈥淟ike many other refugees, I sought opportunities in the land of opportunities,鈥� she says. 鈥淏ut let me tell you, those opportunities did not come knocking on my door; I had to chase them down myself.鈥�

In the U.S., she had to start over, learn a new language, and take classes to gain access to nursing school. Through her perseverance and a little help from people who supported her, she never stopped believing in herself and never stopped learning.

After earning her initial associate degree in nursing, she went on to earn a bachelor鈥檚 degree, a master鈥檚 degree and most recently, her first doctoral degree in nursing (a Doctor of Nursing Practice, or DNP, degree) all while advancing in her nursing career in the U.S.

At the Mayo Clinic in Florida, where she has worked since 2003, she continued to pursue learning opportunities. She became a Silver certified Mayo Clinic Quality Fellow and a Certified Clinical Research Professional.

Currently, Logvinov is an assistant professor of anesthesiology and nursing at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and a research program manager for the Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine at Mayo Clinic in Florida. In addition, she is a visiting professor at Chamberlain University.

Inspiring Educational Excellence

鈥淎s an educator, I want to make a difference in nursing education and cultivate a new era of excellence by providing the next generation of nurses with the knowledge, skills and compassion to excel,鈥� she says.

To do this, she incorporates technology, interdisciplinary collaboration and opportunities for professional development in her classes to prepare students for the complex and rapidly evolving field of healthcare.

Logvinov also fosters a culture of learning and is committed to student retention, especially among English as a second language students.

鈥淚 value mentoring others in the same way I have been mentored because navigating academia can be challenging, especially for first-generation college students or immigrants to the United States,鈥� says Logvinov.

Improving Outcomes for Older Adults

After earning her nursing Ph.D. from 麻豆原创, Logvinov plans to become a full-time faculty member at a university to work as a nurse scientist while mentoring the next generation of nurses and researchers.

Inspired by her clinical career in the U.S., Logvinov鈥檚 primary research interests are in gerontology, examining the impact of surgical procedures and anesthesia on older adults.

鈥淢y research has focused on the intersection of aging and perianesthesia nursing,鈥� she says.

At the Mayo Clinic, she earned the distinction of an associate in anesthesiology 鈥� an honor given to allied health professionals for research contributions.

At 麻豆原创, she plans to continue to her research and expand nursing science and knowledge about the physiological, psychological, and social aspects of aging in surgical care.

鈥淢y goal is to improve the well-being and quality of life for older adults, leaving a legacy in geriatric healthcare and research,鈥� she says.

鈥淏ecause he saw my growing interest, I was later able to shadow the physician that did my surgery,鈥� Williamson says. 鈥淎nd then in high school, another surgeon I was shadowing let me scrub in for surgery and that was an incredible experience. It was then I knew for certain I wanted to become a doctor.鈥�

She is now another step closer to that dream after matching into a general surgery residency at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

Williamson, whose father was a sonar man in the Navy, is one of three final-year 麻豆原创 medical students who matched into military residencies recently and will train at military hospitals across the country after they graduate in May.

All three students are recipients of the military鈥檚 Health Professions Scholarship, which covers tuition and living expenses for medical students who agree to serve their country for one year for each year of scholarship. Students match into residencies at military hospitals or do their military service after civilian residencies.

Medical school graduates must complete a residency program in their chosen specialty before they are able to practice. Students apply for and then interview with residency programs and rank their choices. Residency programs do the same. A computerized service then matches the top choices from both. Some specialties, including urology, ophthalmology and military-based residencies, announce matches early ahead of the National Match Day scheduled March 15. On that day, thousands of medical students across the country will learn where they will complete residency training.

Asanka Ekanayake will join Williamson at Walter Reed and will specialize in internal medicine, an area he became drawn to during his clinical rotations. Ekanayake, whose sister is a family medicine physician in the Navy, says training with the military offers a unique opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others.

鈥淲hether I am serving on a relief mission or providing care in a hospital setting, I know that my work will have a direct, meaningful impact on the well-being of those who serve our country or need our assistance,鈥� he says.

The third student, Leeann Hu, will train in internal medicine at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth in Portsmouth, Virginia.

The recent matches bring the total number of 麻豆原创 students matched into military residencies to 40 since the medical school began in 2009.

Assistant Dean for Students Soraya Smith congratulated the students on their accomplishments and commended them for their hard work and dedication.

鈥淚 am so excited to be able to witness such an exciting milestone in their journey to becoming physicians,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 know they will accomplish great things and be a wonderful representation of the 麻豆原创 College of Medicine.鈥�

The honor is awarded by the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation to STEM students who are conducting research that will advance their respective fields 鈥� which are not limited to the aerospace industry. This year, 60 junior and senior undergraduate students from 44 colleges across the United States will receive up to almost $900,000. The honorees will be recognized during ASF鈥檚 Innovators Gala Aug. 14 at the Hilton Orlando.

鈥淥ur 2021 Astronaut Scholarship award program reflects our commitment to the best and brightest minds in the fields of STEM,鈥� says Caroline Schumacher, president and CEO of ASF. 鈥淭he challenges of the past year were met head on and managed with great success. We are so honored to support, fuel and inspire all of our 2021 Astronaut Scholars in the process of leadership in science and technology.鈥�

Future Astrobiologist for NASA

While most people tend to avoid subjects they consider the most difficult in school, physics student Riley Havel says she selected her major because she wanted a challenge that would keep her busy throughout college. The Burnett Honors Scholar, who also stays busy through several campus involvements, eventually found her focus in planetary science and geoscience through her studies and guidance from faculty members.

For the past three years she鈥檚 also worked in 麻豆原创 Assistant Professor Christopher Bennett’s Astrochem Lab, where she says she鈥檚 had flexible opportunities to explore various interests that have solidified her interest in becoming an astrobiologist for NASA.

鈥淚 think now is a good time to become an astrobiologist because there鈥檚 lots of current missions between NASA and some of the other international space agencies that are really focused on detecting life on other planets or detecting evidence of past life on other planets,鈥� she says. 鈥淭his is something a lot of people think about, but specifically astrobiologists really get to spend their whole career trying to figure out.鈥�

Last summer she was even able to complete an internship in an astrobiology analytical laboratory at NASA鈥檚 Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland. And now her recent Astronaut Scholarship will help her continue her path to become a full-time researcher.

鈥淩eceiving this means that I am more capable than I think I am sometimes,鈥� Havel says. 鈥淚 know in STEM we often face imposter syndrome, and it might hold us back at times, but receiving the astronaut scholar has just made me a lot more ambitious and think that my career goals aren鈥檛 as lofty as I once thought 鈥� that I can do it.鈥�

While at 麻豆原创, Havel has served as a team leader for the first-year symposium class at the Burnett Honors College, tutor for student athletes, an ambassador for the Student Undergraduate Research Council, and leadership roles with the Society of Physics Students and Women in Physics Society. She credits student organizations and being proactive with finding academic and professional opportunities for her success.

鈥淚 think one of main reasons I think I鈥檝e been able to stick with physics and really figure out what I wanted to do was because I spent a lot of time with the Society of Physics Students,鈥� she says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 really a group of people that all care about physics, math and helping each other out.

Build relationships with people in your courses and with upperclassmen because they’ve been through exactly what you’re going through and have the best insight on your studies, research and internships.鈥�

Future Medical Researcher

Burnett Honors Scholar Angela Shar鈥檚 interest in research began in sixth grade with a science fair and has evolved into a potential future career for the biomedical sciences and criminal justice double major. With a physician as a mother, Shar was drawn to medicine early. While she was completing her honors undergraduate thesis she filed a patent on her research and became interested in legal issues, which she says led her to her second major as a way to further balance her studies.

鈥淐urrently I鈥檓 doing research on therapies or drugs for bone disorders and medical issues like that,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 want to pursue my M.D. Ph.D. in biomaterials and tissue engineering. I鈥檝e always really wanted to pursue medicine clinically, but I鈥檝e always wanted to incorporate my passion for research at the same time. And really when it comes down to it, advancing medicine is impossible without innovative research pushing it along.鈥�

Shar was also recently awarded the Burnett Honors College鈥檚 Alvin Y. Wang Undergraduate Research Scholarship, 麻豆原创鈥檚 Distinguished Undergraduate Researcher Award and a Judges鈥� Choice Award at 麻豆原创鈥檚 2021 Student Scholar Symposium. This fall she will present her research at the Southern Biomedical Engineering Conference in New Orleans.

鈥淚 was really surprised when I got the Astronaut Scholarship because it鈥檚 just a huge achievement, but it鈥檚 very much a scholarship for students that are really passionate about research in general,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 think the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation recognized my passion toward medicine and my extensive research background. This honor is a really great opportunity for building networking opportunities to connect with others.鈥�

She co-founded 麻豆原创鈥檚 chapter of the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers, a national student organization that is dedicated to the advancement of Asian heritage individuals鈥� education and employment so that they can achieve their full potential.

鈥淩esearch is really all about being determined,鈥� she says. 鈥淭hings don鈥檛 always work out 鈥� I鈥檝e definitely had a lot of trials and errors 鈥� but I think it鈥檚 just a matter of picking yourself up, reading more literature and trying a different approach to get through it. For anyone wanting to get started with research you鈥檙e going to have a lot of failures, but the success and chance to make a difference is worth it.鈥�

鈥淢edical imaging is fascinating, it caught my attention how you could see inside someone鈥檚 body find what is wrong, and my interest grew as time went by,鈥� says Vega, describing his excitement learning diagnostic radiology from attending physician Igor Sirotkin.

The Tampa native is the son of Cuban immigrants and his hard work was recently recognized by the American Medical Association (AMA) Foundation with the Physicians of Tomorrow聽Scholarship. The national honor includes $10,000 in tuition assistance to underrepresented medical students entering their fourth year of study. Recipients are chosen based on their academic achievement, community involvement and financial need.

He is the second student from the college to receive the scholarship.

Vega says that studying the anatomy of cadavers with the help of CT scans interested him so much that he led his student group in figuring out the cause of death of his 鈥渇irst patient鈥� for the college鈥檚 annual autopsy report, where students present their findings.

鈥淚 was the one in the group to take the lead analyze imaging, collaborate with the team and learned how to verbalize our findings about cancer metastasis to the lungs,鈥� he says.

Vega was also part of the leadership team for KNIGHTS clinic, a free student-run clinic for the underinsured in Orlando, where he developed his love of patient wellness through patient education. He plans on applying for diagnostic radiology for his residency training and hopes to stay in Florida to serve his community.

As a medical student, he has conducted research on socioeconomic barriers to mammography in underserved communities.

鈥淚 am so impressed with Xamil鈥檚 accomplishments. He鈥檚 a hardworking, dedicated student who takes initiative and is passionate about serving the underserved and under-resourced in our community,鈥� says Marcy Verduin, associate dean for students. 鈥淗e鈥檚 also passionate about passing that legacy on to the next generation to empower them to do the same. I have no doubt that he will be a champion for those who are underrepresented throughout his career.鈥�

鈥淢y family is beyond happy for the scholarship. It definitely plays a big part in alleviating the financial burden of med school,鈥� says Vega, who credits his parents with inspiring him with their perseverance. 鈥淚t鈥檚 confirmation that I鈥檓 doing the right thing. Being recognized and being congratulated by the dean and faculty is a great feeling.鈥�