Goldwater Scholarship
Natalie Donato
Goldwater Scholar
Natalie Donato is an Honors junior in the College of Science, majoring in Marine Biology and Ecology with a minor in Biological Data Sciences. Natalie’s specialty in Marine Biology, her work in Chapple Big Fish Lab, and her passion for artwork have informed her pathway in science communication for marine animals and her interest in sensory biology. In the future, Natalie will earn a PhD in sensory biology and ecology of marine animals where she will continue to conduct research on the ocean’s marine species, leading conservation efforts, and teaching the next generation of marine biologists through her research and artwork.
Andrew Tran
Goldwater Scholar
Andrew Tran is a junior in the College of Engineering majoring Chemical Engineering with a minor in Chemistry. Andrew’s current research is in chemical recycling solutions for plastic waste. Andrew’s next step is to pursue a PhD in Environmental Engineering, where he will conduct research on sustainable technologies for resource optimization. He will focus on waste management solutions and environmental impact reduction.
Udall Scholarship
Natalie Donato
Udall Scholarship Recipient
Environment
Natalie Donato, an OSU Honors College junior studying Marine Biology and Ecology with a minor in Biological Data Sciences has been named a 2025 Udall Scholar in the Environment category. Also a 2025 Goldwater Scholar, Natalie is the second OSU student two years in a row to receive both national honors. Natalie’s specialty in Marine Biology, her work in Chapple Big Fish Lab, and her passion for artwork have informed her pathway in science communication for marine animals and her interest in sensory biology. In the future, Natalie will earn a PhD in sensory biology and ecology of marine animals where she will continue to conduct research on the ocean’s marine species, leading conservation efforts, and teaching the next generation of marine biologists through her research and artwork.
Fulbright U.S. Student Program
Brenna Prevelige
Fulbright Scholar
Study/Research Grant
Nepal
Brenna Prevelige is currently pursuing a PhD in Integrative Biology, set to graduate in 2028. For her Fulbright, Brenna will conduct transdisciplinary research in Nepal surrounding the role of Ganoderma mushrooms in collaboration with Dr. Shiva Devkota with the Gendaki Province Academy of Science and Technology. Brenna’s proposed research will shed light on the cultural role of the Ganoderma mushroom as well as generate biological data which Brenna will share with a local nonprofit conservation organization. Brenna hopes to co-develop affordable genomic technologies in Nepal. This work will directly inform Brenna’s dissertation on Ganoderma ethnobiology in the US and Nepal. After her Fulbright year, Brenna will complete her PhD and aims to become an internationally-based professor working at the intersection of scientific and place-based knowledge.
Sahana Shah
Fulbright Scholar
Study/Research Grant
Spain
Sahana Shah graduated in 2024 with an Honors Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Biophysics and minors in Chemistry and Spanish. With her Fulbright, Sahana will travel to Spain to join the Institute for Research in Biomedicine Barcelona with Dr. Xavier Salvatella and contribute to the institute’s research on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Sahana’s research will center on a protein that regulates over 200 genes involved in ASD development. Sahana will work as a part of Dr. Salvatella’s lab to investigate the use of a designed peptide to slow down the protein aggregation associated with the development of ASD. She aspires for her work to lead to a therapeutic development and enhanced social and cognitive function for individuals with autism. In the future, Sahana will pursue a career as a pediatric neurologist and continue research into mechanisms underlying ASD.
Kenneth Kang
Fulbright Finalist
Study Research Grant
United Kingdom
Kenneth Kang graduated in 2024 with an Honors Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Business Analytics. Although Kenneth has decided to decline the Fulbright for a career opportunity, he was selected to earn a Master of Science degree at Lancaster University in the United Kingdom in Data Science with a focus on Environmental Science. Kenneth’s interest in data science is to help businesses understand how to align sustainability initiatives with profitability.
Kendal Hobbs
Fulbright Alternate
Study Research Grant
Sweden
Kendal Hobbs will graduate in spring 2025 with a Bachelor of Science in Oceanography and minor in Chemistry. If promoted, Kendal will spend the academic year in Sweden, where she will collaborate with Dr. Andreas Nilsson of Lund University to analyze marine sediment samples using Dr. Nilsson’s novel geomagnetic modeling technique. Kendal will contribute directly to Dr. Nilsson’s global model by analyzing marine sediment samples she collected from Alaska’s Baranof Fan. With this data, Kendal seeks to fill the gaps in the Pacific’s magnetic record and contribute to the greater understanding of Earth’s magnetic field.
Gilman Scholarship
Michael Baird, New Zealand
Joseph Bartholomeusz, Mexico
Simone Baumgartner, Costa Rica
Sofia Belikov, Greece
Noah Duncan, Costa Rica
James Escobedo, Denmark
Briana Fung, Singapore
Joselin Godinez, Ghana
Klarisza Gomez, New Zealand
Kari Hagerup, Mexico
Nakayda Jacobs, Bhutan
Michelle Kyle, New Zealand
Nyeib Lobnibe, Ghana
Jay Lodge, Singapore
Kiara Maciel, Malaysia
Elana Mansfield, France
Isabela Murillo, United Kingdom
Kassandra Nuno, France
Meira Rice, Tanzania
Gabriel Robinson, France
Samantha Saldivar, Mexico
Belle Sheppard, Semester at Sea (Gilman-McCain)
Haley Sotelo, Peru
Blake Trees, Japan
Piper Westhead, Bhutan
Tatum Wilson, Australia
For a full list of OSU Gilman Scholars,
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